Tazewell County Public Records /Tazewell County Court Records

Tazewell County Court Records

What Is Tazewell County Court Records

Court records in Tazewell County encompass the complete body of official documentation generated by judicial proceedings within the county's court system. These records are created, maintained, and preserved by the clerk of the circuit court and include a broad range of document types: case files, docket sheets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts of proceedings, exhibits admitted into evidence, sentencing records, and warrants. Each document type serves a distinct evidentiary or administrative function within the judicial process.

Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained by Tazewell County. Property records, including deeds, mortgages, and liens, are held by the County Clerk & Recorder. Vital records such as birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses are similarly maintained by that office. Court records, by contrast, originate exclusively from judicial proceedings and are custodied by the Circuit Court Clerk.

The following courts generate and maintain official court records in Tazewell County:

Tenth Judicial Circuit Court — the court of general jurisdiction handling civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic matters
Probate Division — handling estates, guardianships, and conservatorships
Family Division — handling dissolution of marriage, child custody, and support matters
Small Claims Division — handling civil disputes involving amounts at or below the statutory threshold
Traffic/Ordinance Division — handling moving violations and local ordinance infractions

Under 735 ILCS 5/8-401, court records maintained by Illinois circuit courts are subject to public inspection unless otherwise restricted by statute or court order. The Tazewell County court system provides access information for members of the public seeking to inspect or obtain copies of these records.

Are Court Records Public In Tazewell County

Court records in Tazewell County are presumptively open to the public under Illinois law. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act, codified at 5 ILCS 140/1 et seq., establishes the general right of public access to government records, while Illinois Supreme Court rules and the state's open courts doctrine further affirm that judicial records shall remain accessible to members of the public absent a specific legal basis for sealing or restriction.

The following categories of records are generally available for public inspection:

Most civil case files, including complaints, answers, and supporting documents
Criminal case files following the filing of formal charges
Final judgments and court orders
Docket sheets reflecting the procedural history of a case
Hearing schedules and court calendars
Sentencing records in criminal matters

Certain records are exempt from public disclosure under current law. These include juvenile court records, sealed expungement records, adoption records, mental health commitment records, and any file or portion thereof sealed by judicial order. Members of the public should be aware that federal court records, maintained by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois, operate under separate access rules governed by federal law and the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system, which is distinct from the state court access framework.

The State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts administers statewide policies governing remote and in-person access to court records. Effective May 1, 2025, the Illinois Supreme Court approved free remote public access to reviewing court documents, expanding the scope of no-cost online access for members of the public.

How To Find Court Records in Tazewell County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Tazewell County court records through several official channels. The process varies depending on whether the requester seeks records in person, by mail, or through an online portal.

In-Person Access:

Visit the Tazewell County Circuit Clerk's Office located at the Tazewell County Courthouse, 342 Court Street, Pekin, IL 61554, during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
Provide the case number, party name, or other identifying information to the clerk's staff.
Request inspection of the file or submit a written request for certified or plain copies.
Pay any applicable copy fees at the time of the request.

By Mail:

Address a written request to the Tazewell County Circuit Clerk's Office, specifying the case number or party names, the type of record sought, and the requester's return address.
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment for applicable fees.
Mail the request to: Circuit Clerk's Office, 342 Court Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

Online: Members of the public may search available case information through the statewide eFileIL portal, which incorporates the re:SearchIL application for remote case access pursuant to the Illinois Supreme Court's Remote Access Policy.

How To Look Up Court Records in Tazewell County Online

Several official online portals currently provide access to Tazewell County court records, each covering a distinct category of cases or document types.

re:SearchIL (via eFileIL): The Illinois Courts' statewide electronic filing and search platform allows registered users to access case information for matters filed through the e-filing system. The eFileIL statewide eFiling portal implements the Illinois Supreme Court's Remote Access Policy and provides parties and non-attorney members of the public with access to a defined list of case types and documents.

Tazewell County Courts Portal: The county's official courts page directs users to the current platform for viewing local court records. Tazewell County no longer uses the Judici system; members of the public should consult the Tazewell County courts page for the current record search link and instructions.

Illinois Courts Directory: The Tazewell County Courthouse listing on the Illinois Courts website provides links to local rules, court calendars, and additional access resources maintained by the Tenth Judicial Circuit.

PACER (Federal Cases Only): For federal civil, criminal, or bankruptcy matters involving Tazewell County parties, members of the public may access records through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records service administered by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois. Registration and per-page fees apply for PACER access unless the user qualifies for a fee waiver.

Search Steps for re:SearchIL:

Navigate to the eFileIL portal and select the re:SearchIL option.
Create or log in to a registered user account.
Enter the county (Tazewell), case number, or party name in the search fields.
Review the list of matching cases and select the relevant matter.
Access available documents subject to the Remote Access Policy restrictions.

How To Search Tazewell County Court Records for Free

Illinois law and Illinois Supreme Court policy currently provide several avenues for members of the public to inspect court records at no cost. Under 735 ILCS 5/8-401, members of the public have the right to inspect court records in person at the clerk's office without charge; fees apply only when copies are requested.

The following free access options are available:

In-person inspection at the Tazewell County Circuit Clerk's Office — no fee is charged for viewing records at the public counter during business hours
re:SearchIL — the statewide portal provides free case index searches and, for qualifying case types, free document viewing pursuant to the Illinois Supreme Court's Remote Access Policy
Tazewell County courts online portal — the county's current case search tool, accessible through the Tazewell County courts page, provides no-cost access to available case information
Illinois Courts website — the Office of the Illinois Courts provides free access to appellate and supreme court opinions and orders

Members of the public seeking to exercise their rights under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act may also direct requests to the Public Access Counselor at the Illinois Attorney General's Office if a public body denies access to records that are not otherwise exempt.

What's Included in a Tazewell County Court Record

The contents of a court record vary by case type, but the following components are commonly found across the principal divisions of the Tazewell County Circuit Court.

Civil Case Records:

Complaint or petition initiating the action
Summons and proof of service
Defendant's answer and affirmative defenses
Motions, responses, and supporting memoranda
Court orders and rulings on motions
Final judgment or decree
Post-judgment enforcement documents

Criminal Case Records:

Charging documents (indictment, information, or complaint)
Arrest warrant and bond records
Arraignment and plea records
Pre-trial motions and orders
Trial transcripts (where prepared)
Verdict or finding
Sentencing order and any conditions of supervision or probation

Family Law Records:

Petition for dissolution of marriage or legal separation
Parenting plan and custody orders
Child support orders and modification records
Domestic violence orders of protection

Probate Records:

Petition to open estate
Inventory of assets
Claims against the estate
Final accounting and order of distribution
Guardianship and conservatorship orders

Traffic Records:

Citation or complaint
Appearance and plea records
Disposition and fine records
Court supervision orders

Small Claims Records:

Small claims complaint
Service of process documentation
Judgment for plaintiff or defendant
Payment records and satisfaction of judgment

How Long Does Tazewell County Keep Court Records

Tazewell County Circuit Court records are retained in accordance with the Illinois Supreme Court's records retention schedule, which establishes minimum retention periods for all classes of court documents. Under the authority of the Illinois Supreme Court and pursuant to the Illinois Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205), the following general retention periods apply:

Felony criminal case files: Permanently retained
Misdemeanor criminal case files: Retained for a minimum of 7 years after final disposition
Civil case files (general): Retained for a minimum of 7 years after final judgment
Domestic relations case files: Permanently retained
Probate case files: Permanently retained
Small claims case files: Retained for a minimum of 7 years after final disposition
Traffic case files: Retained for a minimum of 5 years after final disposition
Juvenile records: Subject to special retention and confidentiality rules; retained pursuant to the Juvenile Court Act

Records that have met their minimum retention period may be eligible for destruction pursuant to an approved disposal certificate, subject to review by the Illinois Local Records Commission. Members of the public seeking records from older cases should contact the Circuit Clerk's Office directly to confirm availability.

Types of Courts In Tazewell County

Tazewell County is served by the Tenth Judicial Circuit of Illinois, which is the court of general jurisdiction for the county. The Illinois court hierarchy applicable to Tazewell County residents proceeds as follows: the Circuit Court (trial level) → the Illinois Appellate Court, Third District → the Illinois Supreme Court.

Tazewell County Circuit Court (Tenth Judicial Circuit)

Tazewell County Courthouse — Circuit Clerk's Office 342 Court Street, Pekin, IL 61554 (309) 477-2214 Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Tazewell County Courthouse – Illinois Courts

The Circuit Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction and handles all civil, criminal, family, probate, juvenile, traffic, and small claims matters arising within Tazewell County. It is a court of record, meaning all proceedings are officially documented and preserved.

Illinois Appellate Court, Third Judicial District

Illinois Appellate Court, Third District 1004 Columbus Street, Ottawa, IL 61350 (815) 434-5050 State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts

The Third District Appellate Court reviews final judgments and orders of the circuit courts within its jurisdiction, including Tazewell County. Appeals from the Tazewell County Circuit Court are filed with this court.

Illinois Supreme Court 200 E. Capitol Avenue, Springfield, IL 62701 (217) 782-2035 State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts

The Illinois Supreme Court is the court of last resort for state matters and exercises supervisory authority over all Illinois courts, including the Tazewell County Circuit Court.

U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois 100 N.E. Monroe Street, Peoria, IL 61602 (309) 671-7117 Public Access – Central District of Illinois

Federal civil and criminal matters involving Tazewell County parties are heard in the Central District of Illinois. Records from this court are accessible through the PACER system.

What Types of Cases Do Tazewell County Courts Hear

The Tazewell County Circuit Court, as a court of general jurisdiction, currently hears a comprehensive range of case types organized by division.

Civil Division:

Contract disputes and commercial litigation
Personal injury and tort claims
Property disputes and quiet title actions
Mortgage foreclosures
Small claims matters (disputes at or below the statutory monetary threshold)

Criminal Division:

Felony prosecutions (Class X through Class 4)
Misdemeanor prosecutions (Class A through Class C)
Preliminary hearings and grand jury proceedings
Post-conviction relief petitions

Family Division:

Dissolution of marriage and legal separation
Child custody, visitation, and parental responsibility
Child support establishment and modification
Orders of protection under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act
Paternity proceedings

Probate Division:

Decedent's estates (testate and intestate)
Guardianship of minors and disabled adults
Conservatorship proceedings
Trust administration matters

Juvenile Division:

Delinquency proceedings involving minors
Abuse, neglect, and dependency cases
Minors requiring authoritative intervention (MRAI)

Traffic/Ordinance Division:

Moving traffic violations
Driving under the influence (DUI) proceedings
Local ordinance violations
Statutory summary suspension hearings

The U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois, which serves Tazewell County at the federal level, hears federal civil rights claims, federal criminal prosecutions, bankruptcy matters, and cases arising under federal statutes.

How To Find a Court Docket In Tazewell County

A court docket is the official chronological record of all filings, hearings, and orders in a given case. Members of the public may access Tazewell County court dockets through the following methods.

Online Search:

The Tazewell County courts page provides a direct link to the current online case search platform, which replaced the former Judici system. Users may search by case number or party name to retrieve docket information.
The eFileIL statewide eFiling system includes the re:SearchIL application, which allows registered users to view docket entries for cases filed electronically through the statewide system.
For federal cases, docket information is available through the PACER public access service maintained by the Central District of Illinois.

In-Person Search: Members of the public may visit the Circuit Clerk's Office at 342 Court Street, Pekin, IL 61554, during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) and request access to the public case index terminals. Staff are available to assist with case number lookups.

Search Tips:

Having the full legal name of a party or the case number significantly reduces search time.
Case numbers in Illinois circuit courts follow a standardized format: year, court code, case type, and sequence number (e.g., 2024 TX 000123).
Docket entries reflect filings and orders but may not include the full text of documents unless the case was filed electronically.

Which Courts in Tazewell County Are Not Courts of Record

A court of record is a tribunal whose proceedings are officially documented, preserved, and subject to review by a higher court. Under Illinois law, specifically 705 ILCS 35/1, circuit courts are designated as courts of record, and all divisions of the Tazewell County Circuit Court — including its civil, criminal, family, probate, juvenile, traffic, and small claims divisions — operate as courts of record.

At present, Tazewell County does not maintain a separate municipal court, magistrate court, or justice of the peace court operating outside the circuit court structure. Illinois abolished its separate justice of the peace and police magistrate courts through the Judicial Article of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, which consolidated all trial court jurisdiction into the unified circuit court system. As a result, there are currently no courts operating within Tazewell County that are classified as courts not of record under Illinois law.

Members of the public should note that administrative hearings conducted by county or municipal agencies — such as zoning boards, administrative law proceedings, or code enforcement hearings — are not courts of record in the judicial sense, even though they may produce official records. Appeals from such administrative proceedings are generally taken to the Circuit Court pursuant to the Illinois Administrative Review Law.