LaSalle County DUI Records Lookup
LaSalle County DUI records are filed with the Circuit Clerk in Ottawa and cover all DUI cases processed through the 13th Judicial Circuit. LaSalle County is a large north-central Illinois county that includes Ottawa, La Salle, Peru, and Streator. DUI cases from all of these communities and unincorporated areas of the county are filed at the Ottawa courthouse. This page explains how to find DUI records in LaSalle County, what the court files contain, and which state systems apply to cases here.
LaSalle County Quick Facts
LaSalle County Circuit Clerk Office
Greg Vaccaro is the LaSalle County Circuit Clerk. The clerk's office at 119 W. Madison Street, Room 201 in Ottawa is the primary source for all DUI case records in LaSalle County. The office stores case files from initial filing through final disposition and any post-conviction proceedings. Staff can search records by name, case number, or date of birth.
The LaSalle County Circuit Clerk website at lasallecounty.org has information on public case access and records requests. Online case search tools are available for recent cases. For older DUI records in LaSalle County, or for full document copies beyond the case docket, an in-person visit or written request to the clerk's office in Ottawa is typically required. Certified copies of conviction orders are available for a fee and are often needed for license reinstatement hearings or legal proceedings.
| Circuit Clerk | Greg Vaccaro |
|---|---|
| Address | 119 W. Madison Street, Room 201, Ottawa, IL 61350-0617 |
| Phone | 815-434-8671 |
| Fax | 815-433-9198 |
| Website | lasallecounty.org/circuit-clerk |
LaSalle County Sheriff and DUI Enforcement
The LaSalle County Sheriff at lasallecountysheriff.com handles DUI enforcement throughout unincorporated LaSalle County and on county roads. The sheriff's office at 707 E. Etna Rd. in Ottawa can be reached at 815-433-2161. DUI arrests made by the sheriff result in court cases filed at the LaSalle County Circuit Court in Ottawa.
The LaSalle County Sheriff maintains records of DUI arrests made throughout the county, which can be requested under Illinois FOIA law within 72 hours of a written request for LaSalle County cases.
Under Illinois FOIA law at 5 ILCS 140, the LaSalle County Sheriff must provide arrest reports within 72 hours of a written records request. Once a DUI case is filed in Circuit Court, the full case record transfers to the clerk's custody. Illinois State Police also patrol major roads through LaSalle County, including I-80, which passes through the county east to west. State police DUI arrests in LaSalle County are filed at the Ottawa courthouse just like local agency arrests.
LaSalle County has several city police departments in addition to the sheriff, including Ottawa Police, La Salle Police, Peru Police, and Streator Police. DUI cases from any of these agencies are all filed at the LaSalle County Circuit Court at 119 W. Madison Street in Ottawa.
DUI Law and LaSalle County Court Records
Illinois defines DUI under 625 ILCS 5/11-501. A first DUI in LaSalle County is a Class A misdemeanor. The statute covers driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or above, driving while impaired by drugs, or driving under any combination of substances that affects driving ability. The LaSalle County State's Attorney prosecutes DUI cases through the 13th Judicial Circuit.
Repeat DUI offenses in LaSalle County carry mandatory minimum penalties under state law. A second DUI requires 5 days in jail or 240 hours of community service. A third DUI is charged as a Class 2 felony. For drivers with six or more DUI convictions, the charge becomes a Class X felony, the most serious non-murder class in Illinois. These felony DUI cases generate larger court files and longer case histories at the LaSalle County Circuit Court in Ottawa.
DUI records in LaSalle County are public court records. Under 20 ILCS 2630/5.2, DUI convictions cannot be expunged or sealed in Illinois. A conviction in LaSalle County stays in the court file permanently. It is also reported to the Illinois State Police criminal history system, where it appears in background checks done through the CHIRP system. Under 20 ILCS 2635/1, only conviction data is shared through state systems, not arrests that did not result in a conviction.
State Systems for LaSalle County DUI Records
The Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification maintains the statewide criminal history database. DUI convictions from LaSalle County are reported to this system after the court enters a final disposition. This makes the ISP database a reliable secondary source alongside the LaSalle County Circuit Court records.
To check your own criminal history, including any LaSalle County DUI convictions, use the ISP My Record system at no cost. This gives you your complete state criminal history. Third-party requests go through the CHIRP portal, which requires an authorized account and a fee. For more on what information the state holds, visit the ISP Criminal History page.
Driving records for LaSalle County DUI cases are held by the Illinois Secretary of State. A DUI arrest in the county triggers a Statutory Summary Suspension under 625 ILCS 5/11-501.1 before the criminal case is resolved. First offenders who fail the chemical test face a 6-month suspension. Refusing the test on a first offense means 12 months. Repeat offenders face 12 or 36-month suspensions depending on whether they fail or refuse. You can purchase a driving record abstract through the Secretary of State's website to see the license action history tied to any LaSalle County DUI case.
License Revocation After a LaSalle County DUI Conviction
A DUI conviction in LaSalle County triggers mandatory license revocation under 625 ILCS 5/6-205. This revocation applies on top of any Statutory Summary Suspension already in effect from the arrest. Revocation has no fixed end date. The driver must apply for reinstatement through a formal Secretary of State hearing. Without a hearing, the license stays revoked.
The reinstatement hearing process is explained at ilsos.gov/departments/administrative-hearings.html. LaSalle County drivers can attend hearings at Secretary of State facilities in the region. The hearing officer reviews the driver's complete DUI history, treatment records, and current risk level before deciding whether to reinstate the license. First-time revocations may qualify for an informal hearing in some cases, but repeat offenders in LaSalle County must go through a formal hearing. An ignition interlock device requirement is common for drivers seeking a Restricted Driving Permit during the revocation period.
Note: LaSalle County's location along I-80 means Illinois State Police contribute a significant share of DUI arrests in the county. All of those cases go through the same Circuit Court system in Ottawa.
Cities in LaSalle County
LaSalle County includes Ottawa, La Salle, Peru, Streator, and several other communities. None of these cities currently exceeds the 50,000 population threshold for a qualifying city page. All DUI cases from across the county are handled at the 13th Judicial Circuit Court in Ottawa. DUI records from any city or unincorporated area of LaSalle County are available through the clerk's office on Madison Street.
Communities including Mendota, Oglesby, Marseilles, and Seneca also fall within LaSalle County. Their DUI cases are processed at the same courthouse in Ottawa.
Nearby Counties
These counties border LaSalle County. DUI cases are filed where the arrest occurred. If you are unsure which county holds a particular case, check the citation or court documents for the county name.