Search Lee County Arrest Records
Lee County arrest records are managed by the Lee County Sheriff's Office in Dixon, the county seat. With a population around 33,500, Lee County sits in northern Illinois and handles criminal cases through the 13th Judicial Circuit. The sheriff's office processes arrest records for the unincorporated parts of Lee County, while local police departments in Dixon and other towns keep their own records. You can get arrest records from Lee County through a written FOIA request or by checking state-level criminal history databases run by the Illinois State Police.
Lee County Quick Facts
Lee County Sheriff's Office
The Lee County Sheriff's Office is at 309 S Galena Ave in Dixon, IL 61021. You can call them at (815) 284-6631. The sheriff handles law enforcement for all parts of Lee County that fall outside city police jurisdictions. This includes patrol, investigations, and running the Lee County Jail. Booking records for people brought into the jail are kept by the sheriff's office.
Local police in Dixon and other Lee County towns handle arrests within their city limits. If you need arrest records from Lee County but are not sure which agency made the arrest, the sheriff's office is a good place to start. They can point you in the right direction. All law enforcement agencies in Lee County must follow the same state rules on releasing arrest records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1).
The sheriff's office also serves civil process papers and provides courthouse security in Lee County. These duties are separate from arrest records, but the office handles all of them from the same location in Dixon.
How to Search Lee County Arrest Records
The Lee County Circuit Clerk's office is the first place to check for court records tied to arrests. Criminal case filings in Lee County go through the 13th Judicial Circuit, which also covers Whiteside County. The circuit clerk keeps records of charges, hearing dates, plea deals, and case outcomes. You can visit the clerk's office in the Lee County Courthouse in Dixon to look up case files in person.
For statewide criminal history data that may include Lee County arrest records, the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification is the main source. The ISP maintains the CHIRP system, which offers name-based criminal history searches for approved users. Public conviction data is available through this system under the Uniform Conviction Information Act (20 ILCS 2635/1). CHIRP does not show arrests that did not result in a conviction.
You can also get your own criminal history record through the ISP Access and Review process. This requires fingerprinting at an approved vendor. It is the only way to see your full record, including Lee County arrests that may not have led to charges or convictions.
Filing a FOIA Request in Lee County
The Freedom of Information Act gives anyone the right to request arrest records from Lee County agencies. You do not need to explain why you want them. Put your request in writing and send it to the FOIA officer at the agency that holds the record. For the sheriff's office, mail or deliver your request to 309 S Galena Ave, Dixon, IL 61021.
Under 5 ILCS 140/2.15, basic arrest information must be released within 72 hours of an arrest. This includes the name, age, and address of the person arrested along with the charges and arresting agency. For older Lee County arrest records, the agency has five business days to respond to a FOIA request. They can take an extra five days if they need more time. The first 50 pages are usually free. Be specific in your request. Include the full name of the person, approximate dates, and what type of record you need. Vague requests take longer to process and may be denied if the agency cannot figure out what you want.
What Lee County Arrest Records Include
A Lee County arrest record shows the full name and date of birth of the person who was arrested. It lists the charges, the date and time of the arrest, and the agency that made it. Booking records from the Lee County Jail add intake details like a booking number, bond amount, and physical description. If the case went to court, the circuit clerk's records will show the case number, attorney names, hearing dates, and the final disposition.
Arrest records and conviction records are not the same thing. An arrest means someone was taken into custody. It does not mean guilt. The Uniform Conviction Information Act (20 ILCS 2635/1) governs how the state shares conviction data with the public. Arrest data without a conviction is available through FOIA from Lee County agencies but not through the state CHIRP system. Records that have been sealed or expunged are not available to anyone outside law enforcement. The Office of the State Appellate Defender has details on expungement eligibility in Illinois.
Lee County Arrest Records Resources
The ISP fee schedule lists costs for state-level criminal history checks. Fees vary depending on the type of search and how you submit it. The ISP also accepts FOIA requests for records in their possession. Illinois law under 725 ILCS 5/107-2 sets out when police officers can make an arrest. This statute applies to every law enforcement officer in Lee County, whether they work for the sheriff or a local department.
For people looking to clear their record, the expungement and sealing process in Illinois lets certain arrest records be removed from public view. Not all arrests qualify. The State Appellate Defender's office provides free guides and forms. If a Lee County arrest record has been sealed, it will not show up in public searches through either the circuit clerk or the ISP database.
Cities in Lee County
Lee County does not have any cities with a population over 100,000. Dixon is the largest city and serves as the county seat. For arrest records from Dixon, contact the Dixon Police Department. All other Lee County arrest records go through the sheriff's office or the relevant local police department.
Nearby Counties
These counties share borders with Lee County and maintain their own arrest records systems: