McDonough County Arrest Records
McDonough County arrest records are held by the McDonough County Sheriff's Office in Macomb, the county seat and home to Western Illinois University. The county has a population of about 26,700 and falls within the 9th Judicial Circuit in western Illinois. The sheriff manages arrest records and jail booking data, while the circuit clerk keeps court records for criminal cases filed in McDonough County. Public access to these records is available under Illinois public records laws, and the state police maintain additional criminal history information at the state level.
McDonough County Quick Facts
McDonough County Sheriff's Office
The McDonough County Sheriff's Office is at 110 S McArthur St, Macomb, IL 61455. The phone number is (309) 833-2323. The sheriff provides law enforcement throughout McDonough County outside of municipal boundaries. This includes rural patrol, criminal investigations, warrant service, and running the McDonough County Jail. Booking records are created each time a person is brought into the jail and become part of the county's arrest records.
Macomb has its own police department that handles arrests within the city. The university also has campus police. Arrest records in McDonough County could be held by any of these agencies depending on where the arrest occurred. The sheriff's office is the best place to start if you are unsure. All agencies in McDonough County must follow the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1) when responding to public records requests.
The sheriff's office also handles civil process and courthouse security. These functions are separate from arrest records but operate out of the same office in Macomb.
How to Search McDonough County Arrest Records
Criminal cases in McDonough County go through the 9th Judicial Circuit. The McDonough County Circuit Clerk handles all case filings and maintains records of charges, court appearances, motions, and final dispositions. You can visit the clerk's office at the McDonough County Courthouse in Macomb to search for case records connected to an arrest. Online access through the circuit may be available for some record types.
At the state level, the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification keeps criminal history records from every county in the state. The CHIRP system allows name-based searches for approved users. Only conviction records show up in public CHIRP results under the Uniform Conviction Information Act (20 ILCS 2635/1). McDonough County arrests that did not lead to a conviction will not be in CHIRP.
For a complete look at your own record, the ISP Access and Review process is the way to go. Get fingerprinted at an approved fingerprint vendor, and the ISP will provide your full criminal history. This includes McDonough County arrests that may never have gone to court.
Filing a FOIA Request in McDonough County
The Freedom of Information Act lets anyone request arrest records from McDonough County government agencies. No reason is required. Put your request in writing and send it to the FOIA officer at the relevant agency. For the sheriff, mail or deliver it to 110 S McArthur St, Macomb, IL 61455. For Macomb city arrests, contact the Macomb Police Department.
Under 5 ILCS 140/2.15, basic arrest information must be released within 72 hours. This covers the name, age, address, charges, and arresting agency. Standard FOIA requests get a five-business-day response window, with a possible five-day extension for complicated or voluminous requests. The first 50 pages of records are typically free. Give the agency as much detail as you can. Full names, approximate dates, and specific record types help the FOIA officer find what you need quickly. Vague requests tend to get delayed or denied.
What McDonough County Arrest Records Include
Arrest records from McDonough County include the full name and date of birth of the person arrested. The charges are listed along with the date and time of the arrest and the arresting agency. Jail booking records add details like bond amount, physical description, and a booking number. If the case moved to court, the circuit clerk's files will show the case number, hearing dates, attorneys, and the outcome.
Keep in mind that an arrest record is not proof of guilt. Someone arrested in McDonough County may have charges dropped, be acquitted, or plead to a lesser offense. The Uniform Conviction Information Act (20 ILCS 2635/1) controls how the ISP shares conviction data publicly. Arrest records that did not produce a conviction are only available from local McDonough County agencies through FOIA. Sealed and expunged records are not available to anyone outside law enforcement. The Office of the State Appellate Defender provides guidance on the expungement and sealing process.
McDonough County Arrest Records Resources
The ISP fee schedule shows what state-level criminal history checks cost. The ISP also handles FOIA requests for its own records. Illinois law at 725 ILCS 5/107-2 establishes the legal authority for making arrests. This applies equally to the McDonough County Sheriff's deputies, Macomb police, and campus law enforcement.
If you are interested in clearing an old arrest from your record, look into the expungement and sealing process. Eligibility depends on how the case ended. The State Appellate Defender's office offers free guides and forms. A sealed McDonough County arrest record will not appear in any public search, whether at the local or state level.
Cities in McDonough County
McDonough County has no cities with a population over 100,000. Macomb is the county seat and by far the largest community, largely because of Western Illinois University. For arrest records from within Macomb, the Macomb Police Department is the primary contact. For areas outside city limits, the McDonough County Sheriff's Office holds the records.
Nearby Counties
These counties border McDonough County and maintain their own arrest records: