McLean County Public Records

What Are Public Records in McLean County?

Public records in McLean County are defined according to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 5 ILCS 140/1, which establishes that all persons have the right to full and complete information regarding governmental affairs. Under this statute, public records include all materials prepared, possessed, used by, or in the control of any public body, regardless of physical form or characteristics.

McLean County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, traffic, family, and probate cases maintained by the McLean County Circuit Clerk's Office
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other land records maintained by the County Recorder
Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and civil union licenses maintained by the County Clerk's Office
Business Records: Assumed business names, notary commissions, and liquor licenses
Tax Records: Property tax assessments, tax bills, and payment records maintained by the County Treasurer and Assessor
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration, election results, and campaign finance reports
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County Board and committee meetings, public hearings, and other governmental bodies
Budget and Financial Documents: Annual budgets, expenditure reports, and audits
Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with certain restrictions), and jail records
Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and variance requests

Each record type is maintained by specific county departments. The McLean County Clerk's Office serves as the custodian for vital records, election records, and certain business filings. The Circuit Clerk's Office maintains all court-related documents, while the County Recorder handles property and land records.

Is McLean County an Open Records County?

McLean County fully complies with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 5 ILCS 140, which establishes the presumption that all records in the custody of public bodies are open to inspection and copying. This state statute governs public access to governmental records throughout Illinois, including McLean County.

Under Section 1 of the Illinois FOIA, the law states: "It is declared to be the public policy of the State of Illinois that all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts and policies of those who represent them as public officials and public employees consistent with the terms of this Act."

McLean County has established specific procedures for handling FOIA requests in accordance with state law. The county maintains a FOIA Request Center where members of the public can submit requests for public records. Each county department has designated FOIA officers responsible for processing requests pertaining to their respective records.

The county also adheres to the Illinois Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120), which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public, with adequate notice provided, and minutes recorded and made available. This commitment to transparency ensures that county residents have access to information about governmental decision-making processes.

How to Find Public Records in McLean County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in McLean County may utilize several methods to access information. The county offers both in-person and online options for obtaining various public records.

For court records, individuals may:

Visit the McLean County Circuit Clerk's online search portal to access case information by name, case number, or date of birth
Use the Public Access System for criminal records to conduct background checks and view case information
Visit the Circuit Clerk's Office in person to request certified copies of court documents

McLean County Circuit Clerk
104 W. Front Street, Room 404
Bloomington, IL 61701
309-888-5301
McLean County Circuit Clerk

For property records, requestors may:

Access the McLean County Recorder's online search system (registration required)
Visit the Recorder's Office in person to conduct searches and obtain copies

For vital records and other county clerk services, individuals may:

Visit the County Clerk's Office in person
Submit requests by mail with appropriate identification and fees
Use the county's online search portal for certain public records

McLean County Clerk
115 E. Washington Street, Room 102
Bloomington, IL 61701
309-888-5190
McLean County Clerk

For general county records not maintained by specific departments, individuals may submit a FOIA request through:

The county's online FOIA request form
Email to the appropriate department's FOIA officer
Written request delivered in person or by mail

Pursuant to 5 ILCS 140/3, public bodies must respond to FOIA requests within 5 business days, though this period may be extended for an additional 5 business days under certain circumstances.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in McLean County?

McLean County follows the fee structure established by the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/6) for most general records requests. Under current fee schedules, the following charges apply:

Standard Paper Copies: $0.15 per page for black and white copies (after the first 50 pages, which are free under FOIA)
Color Copies or Specialized Documents: Actual cost of reproduction
Electronic Records: Generally provided at no cost when records are already maintained in electronic format
Certified Copies: Additional certification fees apply

Specific record types maintained by individual offices have statutorily established fees:

Vital Records (County Clerk):

Birth Certificates: $15 for first copy, $4 for each additional copy ordered at same time
Death Certificates: $19 for first copy, $8 for each additional copy ordered at same time
Marriage/Civil Union Licenses: $33 application fee
Certified Copies of Marriage/Civil Union Certificates: $14 for first copy, $5 for each additional copy

Court Records (Circuit Clerk):

Regular Copies: $2.00 for the first page, $0.50 for each additional page
Certified Copies: $6.00 for the first page, $1.50 for each additional page
Record Searches: $6.00 per name or case number searched

Property Records (Recorder):

Standard Document Recording: $40.00 for first 4 pages, $1.00 for each additional page
Copies of Recorded Documents: $1.00 per page
Certified Copies: $14.00 for first page, $2.00 for each additional page

Payment methods accepted include cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards (in person only at most offices). Some departments may charge additional fees for expedited service or for extensive searches requiring significant staff time.

The county may waive or reduce fees if the request is in the public interest, as defined in 5 ILCS 140/6(c), or if the requestor demonstrates financial hardship and the records are sought for a specific purpose.

Does McLean County Have Free Public Records?

McLean County provides several options for accessing public records at no cost. Pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/3), all public records must be available for inspection during normal business hours at the office where they are maintained. This inspection is provided free of charge.

Additionally, the first 50 pages of black and white, letter or legal-sized copies requested under FOIA are provided at no cost to the requestor. Electronic records that are already maintained in electronic format are typically provided without charge when delivered electronically.

The county offers several free online resources for accessing public records:

The McLean County Circuit Clerk's Court Records Search provides free access to basic case information, including case types, filing dates, parties, and scheduled court dates
The Criminal Records Public Access System allows free searches of criminal case information
The County's General Search Portal provides access to various public records
County Board meeting agendas, minutes, and video recordings are available at no cost on the County Board website
Property assessment information is accessible through the Supervisor of Assessments website

While basic record searches are often free, fees may still apply for obtaining certified copies, extensive searches, or large volume requests. The county's fee structure is designed to recover reasonable costs associated with reproducing records rather than to generate revenue.

Who Can Request Public Records in McLean County?

Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/3), any person may request public records from McLean County. The statute defines "person" broadly to include individuals, corporations, partnerships, firms, organizations, and associations. There is no residency requirement for requesting public records in Illinois.

Requestors are not generally required to:

Provide identification (except for certain records like vital records)
State the reason for their request
Explain how they intend to use the information
Be an Illinois resident

However, specific record types may have additional requirements:

Vital Records: Access to birth, death, marriage, and civil union records is restricted to the person named in the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a direct interest in the record as defined by 410 ILCS 535/25. Proper identification is required.
Criminal Records: While basic case information is public, access to complete criminal history information may be restricted to authorized agencies and individuals pursuant to the Illinois Uniform Conviction Information Act (20 ILCS 2635).
Juvenile Records: Access is significantly restricted under 705 ILCS 405/1-8 and generally limited to the juvenile, parents/guardians, attorneys, and authorized agencies.

For requests made under FOIA, requestors may submit anonymous requests, though providing contact information is necessary to receive the records. Commercial requestors (those seeking records for sale, resale, or solicitation) must identify themselves as such, as different response timeframes and fee structures may apply under 5 ILCS 140/3.1.

What Records Are Confidential in McLean County?

McLean County maintains certain records that are exempt from public disclosure pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/7). These exemptions protect privacy, security, and other important interests while balancing the public's right to information.

Records that are generally confidential include:

Private Information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, biometric identifiers, personal financial information, medical records, and home addresses of certain individuals (including judges, law enforcement, and victims of domestic violence)
Law Enforcement Records: Information that would interfere with pending or contemplated law enforcement proceedings, disclose confidential sources, endanger anyone's life or physical safety, or obstruct an ongoing criminal investigation
Preliminary Drafts and Notes: Preliminary drafts, notes, recommendations, and memoranda in which opinions are expressed or policies formulated, unless cited in a final policy decision
Juvenile Records: Court records pertaining to minors under 705 ILCS 405/1-8, except in limited circumstances
Personnel Records: Performance evaluations, personal information, and disciplinary records (with certain exceptions for final outcomes of disciplinary cases involving public employees)
Trade Secrets and Commercial Information: Proprietary information, trade secrets, and commercial or financial information obtained from a person or business where disclosure would cause competitive harm
Attorney-Client Privileged Communications: Communications between the county and its attorneys that would not be subject to discovery in litigation
Security Measures: Information regarding security procedures, vulnerability assessments, and security systems for public buildings and infrastructure
Sealed Court Records: Records that have been sealed by court order
Adoption Records: Information regarding adoptions, except as provided by the Adoption Act (750 ILCS 50/18)
HIPAA-Protected Information: Health information protected under federal law

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the county will redact the exempt information and provide the remainder of the record, as required by 5 ILCS 140/7(1).

The county applies a balancing test when considering discretionary exemptions, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the interest being protected by the exemption.

McLean County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

McLean County Recorder
115 E. Washington Street, Room 202
Bloomington, IL 61701
309-888-5170
McLean County Recorder

Regular Office Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

The McLean County Recorder's Office is responsible for maintaining and preserving land records and other documents affecting real property within the county. Services provided include:

Recording deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other land-related documents
Maintaining military discharge records (DD-214 forms)
Processing and recording property tax exemptions
Providing copies of recorded documents
Conducting searches of property records

The Recorder's Office maintains an online records search system that allows registered users to search and view recorded documents. Registration is required but there is no charge to use the online search system. Printed copies of documents obtained through the system or in person are subject to standard copying fees.

For questions regarding specific recording requirements or document preparation, members of the public may contact the Recorder's Office directly during regular business hours.

Lookup Public Records in McLean County

Search court records by name or case number

Access the criminal records public access system

Use the county's comprehensive search portal

Find vital records and election information

Search property records in the Recorder's database