Kendall County Public Records /Kendall County Criminal Records

Kendall County Criminal Records

What Is Kendall County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Kendall County, Illinois, are official government documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, from initial law enforcement contact through final court disposition. These records are maintained by multiple agencies and serve as the authoritative source of information for background checks, legal proceedings, and public safety purposes.

Members of the public should understand the distinctions among the various categories of criminal records maintained within the county:

Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that law enforcement took an individual into custody, whereas a conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court of law. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.
Felony vs. misdemeanor: Felonies are serious offenses carrying potential sentences of more than one year in a state correctional facility; misdemeanors carry lesser penalties, typically served in a county jail.
Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are generally accessible to the public under Illinois law. Juvenile records are confidential and may be sealed or expunged pursuant to 705 ILCS 405/1-8, which governs the confidentiality of minors' records.
Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect current judicial orders for an individual's arrest; historical records document past charges, proceedings, and dispositions.

The principal agencies maintaining criminal records in Kendall County include:

Kendall County Sheriff's Office — maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail rosters
Kendall County Circuit Court — maintains case files, charging documents, pleas, trial records, sentencing orders, and dispositions
Illinois State Police — maintains statewide criminal history records through the Bureau of Identification
Local municipal police departments — including the Yorkville Police Department and Oswego Police Department, which generate arrest and incident reports

Criminal records typically encompass charges filed, arraignment proceedings, entered pleas, trial outcomes, sentencing details, probation and parole conditions, and any subsequent modifications to court orders.

Kendall County Circuit Court 807 W. John Street, Yorkville, IL 60560 (630) 553-4183 Kendall County Circuit Court

Kendall County Sheriff's Office 1102 Cornell Lane, Yorkville, IL 60560 (630) 553-7500 Kendall County Sheriff's Office

Are Criminal Records Public In Kendall County

Under current Illinois law, the majority of adult criminal records are presumptively open to public inspection. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) establishes the public's right to access government records, including criminal justice documents maintained by law enforcement agencies and courts. The Act provides that all records in the custody of a public body are presumed to be open for inspection unless a specific exemption applies.

Records that are generally available to the public include:

Adult conviction records and court dispositions
Court proceedings, docket entries, and case filings
Arrest logs and booking records
Sex offender registration information
Sentencing orders and probation terms

Records that are restricted or exempt from public disclosure include:

Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations
Sealed or expunged records, which are treated as though they do not exist under Illinois law
Juvenile delinquency records, protected under 705 ILCS 405/1-8
Victim information in certain sensitive cases
Intelligence and law enforcement investigative files exempt under 5 ILCS 140/7(1)(d)

Members of the public seeking criminal records should be aware that while court records are broadly accessible, certain identifying details — such as Social Security numbers and financial account information — are routinely redacted prior to disclosure.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Kendall County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain criminal records in Kendall County through several official channels. The following steps outline the process for accessing these records through the appropriate agencies:

Through the Kendall County Circuit Clerk's Office:

Visit the Circuit Clerk's office in person at 807 W. John Street, Yorkville, IL 60560, during public counter hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
Submit a written request identifying the subject by full legal name and date of birth.
Pay any applicable copy or certification fees at the time of the request.
Alternatively, submit a written request by mail, including a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment.

Through the Illinois State Police:

Complete the Illinois State Police Criminal History Request form available on the ISP website.
Submit the form along with the required fee (currently $16 for a name-based search) to the Bureau of Identification.
Provide the subject's full name, date of birth, sex, and race to facilitate an accurate search.
Results are typically returned within 10 to 14 business days for mail requests; online requests may be processed more rapidly.

Through the Kendall County Sheriff's Office:

Submit a Freedom of Information Act request in writing to the Sheriff's Office FOIA coordinator at 1102 Cornell Lane, Yorkville, IL 60560.
Identify the specific records sought, including relevant dates and the subject's identifying information.
The agency is required to respond within five business days under 5 ILCS 140/3(d).

Illinois State Police — Bureau of Identification 260 N. Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432 (815) 740-5160 Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification

How To Find Criminal Records in Kendall County Online?

Several official online portals provide access to Kendall County criminal records without requiring an in-person visit. Each portal contains distinct categories of information, and users should consult multiple sources for a comprehensive search.

Kendall County Case Search (e-Access): The Illinois Courts' e-Access portal allows members of the public to search circuit court case records statewide, including Kendall County. Users may search by party name, case number, or attorney. The portal contains case filings, hearing dates, dispositions, and sentencing information. No registration is required for basic public searches.

Illinois State Police Sex Offender Registry: The Illinois Sex Offender Registry maintained by the Illinois State Police provides searchable information on registered sex offenders, including current addresses, offense history, and registration status. Searches may be conducted by name, county, or ZIP code without registration.

Kendall County Jail Roster: The Kendall County Sheriff's Office publishes a current jail roster on its official website, listing individuals currently in custody at the Kendall County Jail. The roster includes booking dates, charges, and bond information. This resource reflects real-time custody status and does not constitute a comprehensive criminal history.

Illinois Inmate Search: The Illinois Department of Corrections Offender Search allows users to locate individuals currently incarcerated in state correctional facilities or recently released, including those from Kendall County.

Records available exclusively through in-person requests include sealed case documents, certified copies of court orders, and detailed booking photographs. No registration is required for the public court case search portal.

Can You Search Kendall County Criminal Records for Free?

Illinois law does not require agencies to provide copies of records at no charge; however, inspection of public records is generally available at no cost. Under 5 ILCS 140/6, public bodies may charge fees for copying records but may not charge for the time spent reviewing records for inspection purposes.

The following resources are currently available at no cost to members of the public:

Illinois Courts e-Access portal — free case search for Kendall County court records, including criminal case dockets and dispositions
Kendall County Jail Roster — free real-time listing of individuals in custody, available on the Sheriff's Office website
Illinois Sex Offender Registry — free statewide search by name or location
Illinois Department of Corrections Offender Search — free search of state prison inmates and parolees
In-person inspection at the Circuit Clerk's office — members of the public may inspect court records at no charge during regular business hours

Fees apply when requesting certified copies, paper reproductions, or records requiring extensive staff retrieval. The Circuit Clerk's office currently charges a per-page fee for photocopies and an additional fee for certified documents.

What's Included in a Kendall County Criminal Record?

A comprehensive criminal record maintained in Kendall County contains multiple categories of information drawn from law enforcement, court, and correctional sources.

Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth and place of birth
Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Last known address
State Identification Number (SID) and FBI Number (where applicable)

Arrest Information:

Date, time, and location of arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking number and facility (Kendall County Jail)
Charges filed at the time of arrest
Bail or bond amount set
Custody status

Court Case Information:

Case number and court jurisdiction (Kendall County Circuit Court, 23rd Judicial Circuit)
Filing date and assigned judge
Charges and applicable Illinois statutes, including felony class (Class X, 1, 2, 3, 4) or misdemeanor class (A, B, C)
Plea entered (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
Defense attorney and prosecuting attorney information
Hearing and trial dates

Disposition:

Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, nolle prosequi)
Conviction date
Sentencing details: type (imprisonment, probation, conditional discharge), length, fines, restitution, and special conditions
Appeals filed and outcomes
Probation or parole terms and supervising agency

Additional Record Elements:

Outstanding warrants
Orders of protection or protective orders
Sex offender registration status
DUI/DWI convictions and related administrative actions
Traffic violations adjudicated in criminal court
Pending charges and scheduled court dates

How Long Does Kendall County Keep Criminal Records?

Kendall County retains criminal records in accordance with the Illinois Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205) and the retention schedules approved by the Illinois Local Records Commission. Retention periods vary by record type and agency.

Current retention periods for principal record categories include:

Felony conviction records: Retained permanently by the Circuit Clerk and the Illinois State Police
Misdemeanor conviction records: Retained for a minimum of 20 years following final disposition
Arrest records without conviction: Retained for a minimum of five years; subject to expungement upon court order
Jail booking records: Retained for a minimum of five years from the date of release
Court case files (felony): Retained permanently
Court case files (misdemeanor): Retained for a minimum of 20 years
Probation records: Retained for a minimum of five years following discharge from supervision
Juvenile records: Retained subject to the confidentiality and expungement provisions of 705 ILCS 405/1-8; eligible for expungement upon the subject reaching adulthood and meeting statutory criteria

The Illinois Local Records Commission publishes approved retention schedules applicable to county agencies. Agencies are prohibited from destroying records prior to the expiration of the applicable retention period without Commission approval. Expunged records are physically destroyed or returned to the petitioner pursuant to court order, and the expunging agency is required to certify compliance.

Kendall County Circuit Clerk's Office 807 W. John Street, Yorkville, IL 60560 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (630) 553-4183 Kendall County Circuit Clerk