Champaign County DUI Records
Champaign County DUI records are held at the Circuit Clerk office in Urbana and cover all DUI cases filed in the 6th Judicial Circuit. Whether you need to look up a case by name or pull a court file number, the clerk's office is the starting point for any DUI record search in Champaign County. The county serves a large population that includes the University of Illinois community, and DUI enforcement here is active year-round. This page explains where to find records, what they contain, and what state systems you can use from home.
Champaign County Quick Facts
Champaign County Circuit Clerk
Susan McGrath serves as Circuit Clerk for Champaign County. Her office keeps all DUI case files, court orders, and conviction records for cases filed in the 6th Judicial Circuit. The clerk's staff can search by name or case number and make copies of court documents. If you need a certified copy of a DUI disposition or conviction order, this is the office to contact.
The Champaign County Clerk of the Circuit Court handles everything from initial DUI filings to final sentencing orders. Records go back decades and include misdemeanor and felony DUI cases alike. Under Illinois law, DUI convictions are part of the public court record and can be accessed by anyone at the clerk's office. The office does charge copy fees, but basic case lookups are generally free if you visit in person.
The clerk's website at clerkofcourt.org provides online access to case information through the state's Judici system. You can search recent cases by name and pull up case details, hearing dates, and dispositions. Not all documents are available online, but the case docket is visible.
| Circuit Clerk | Susan McGrath |
|---|---|
| Address | 101 East Main Street, Urbana, IL 61801-2736 |
| Phone | 217-384-3725 |
| Fax | 217-384-3879 |
| Website | clerkofcourt.org |
DUI Records in Champaign County Courts
The Champaign County Circuit Court at clerkofcourt.org shows available case search options for DUI records in the county. Using this system gives you a window into active and closed cases from your computer.
The clerk's online case search covers DUI filings going back several years, letting you check case status, scheduled hearings, and final dispositions without coming into the courthouse.
A DUI case in Champaign County starts when law enforcement files a citation or arrest report. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-501, driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or higher is a criminal offense. A first DUI in Illinois is a Class A misdemeanor. The court file created for each case includes the charging documents, bond conditions, any motions filed, hearing transcripts, and the final sentencing order. All of these are public records in Champaign County.
Repeat DUI offenses carry heavier consequences. A third DUI in Champaign County is charged as a Class 2 felony under state law. A sixth or subsequent offense becomes a Class X felony. These felony cases generate larger court files with more documents and longer case histories. The clerk's office keeps all of them.
Note: DUI convictions in Illinois cannot be expunged or sealed under 20 ILCS 2630/5.2, so the record stays in the public court file permanently.
Champaign County Sheriff DUI Arrests
The Champaign County Sheriff's Office handles DUI enforcement in unincorporated areas of the county. Sheriff deputies also assist city police agencies during high-traffic periods. DUI arrest records from the sheriff's office become part of the court file once the case is filed with the Circuit Clerk.
You can reach the Champaign County Sheriff at 217-384-1204. The sheriff's office is located at 204 E. Main St., Urbana, IL 61801. For arrest reports on recent DUI cases, you may request them under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. Under 5 ILCS 140, law enforcement agencies must release arrest reports within 72 hours of a written request. The sheriff's office has its own FOIA process, separate from the Circuit Clerk.
Illinois State Police also patrol Champaign County roads, particularly along I-57 and I-74. State police DUI arrests are handled at the ISP District 10 level, but the court case still ends up in Champaign County Circuit Court when the offense occurred in the county.
State Systems for Champaign County DUI Records
Illinois maintains several statewide systems that hold DUI-related information covering Champaign County cases. These systems give you access to criminal history and driving records without visiting the courthouse in Urbana.
The Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification runs the state criminal history repository. You can request your own record through the ISP My Record system at no cost. This gives you a full criminal history including any DUI convictions from Champaign County or anywhere else in the state. Employers and courts use the CHIRP system for background checks. Under 20 ILCS 2635/1, the Uniform Conviction Information Act, only conviction data is public through this system. Arrest records that did not result in conviction are not released.
The Illinois Secretary of State keeps driving records that show license suspensions tied to DUI cases. When someone in Champaign County refuses a breath or blood test, the Statutory Summary Suspension under 625 ILCS 5/11-501.1 kicks in automatically. A first refusal means a 12-month suspension. A repeat refusal means 36 months. Failing the test on a first offense means a 6-month suspension. You can view driving record abstract information through the Illinois Secretary of State website.
The ISP Criminal History page explains how third parties can request conviction records on others. This process requires a fingerprint-based request and a fee. It is commonly used by courts, attorneys, and licensed investigators in Champaign County cases.
License Revocation After a Champaign County DUI
A DUI conviction in Champaign County triggers mandatory license revocation under 625 ILCS 5/6-205. This is different from the Statutory Summary Suspension, which happens at arrest. The revocation follows the conviction and requires a formal hearing to get a license back. There is no automatic reinstatement.
To pursue reinstatement, a Champaign County driver must petition through the Illinois Secretary of State's administrative hearings process. Information on how to request a hearing is available at ilsos.gov/departments/administrative-hearings.html. The hearing looks at the driver's full DUI history, treatment completion, and current risk level. A hearing officer decides whether to grant reinstatement. For repeat offenders in Champaign County, the process is more involved and often requires documented treatment through an SUPR-licensed provider.
Note: Drivers seeking reinstatement after a Champaign County DUI conviction are often required to use a BAIID (breath alcohol ignition interlock device) as a condition of a Restricted Driving Permit.
DUI Evaluation Requirements in Champaign County
After a DUI arrest in Champaign County, the court typically orders a drug and alcohol evaluation. This is a standard part of the case process. The evaluation is done by a provider licensed by the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR). The evaluator's report goes to the court and the Secretary of State.
The evaluation outcome affects what the court orders as part of sentencing. First-time offenders in Champaign County who test at a low risk level may only need education classes. Higher-risk evaluations lead to treatment programs. Completion of these programs is required for license reinstatement. The University of Illinois campus community in Champaign County means the local court system sees a steady volume of first-time DUI cases among young adults.
Second-offense DUI in Illinois requires a mandatory minimum of 5 days in jail or 240 hours of community service, as stated in 625 ILCS 5/11-501. The Champaign County court follows state law on these minimums. Judges have some discretion on other sentencing elements, but the mandatory minimums apply statewide.
Cities in Champaign County
Champaign County includes several cities and communities. DUI cases from all of them are filed in the 6th Judicial Circuit in Urbana. The city of Champaign has its own police department that handles DUI enforcement within city limits.
Other communities in Champaign County include Urbana, Savoy, Rantoul, Mahomet, and St. Joseph. These cities do not have separate pages here, but their DUI cases all go through the Champaign County Circuit Court.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Champaign County. If you are unsure which county handles a particular DUI case, check the location of the arrest or the county listed on the court filing.