Find Monroe County DUI Records

Monroe County DUI records are maintained through the 20th Judicial Circuit Court in Waterloo, Illinois. This page explains where to find DUI court filings, how to request arrest records from the Sheriff, and how to access statewide criminal history through the Illinois State Police. It also covers Secretary of State driving records and the license reinstatement process for Monroe County drivers.

Monroe County Circuit Clerk

Lisa Fallon serves as the Circuit Clerk for Monroe County. Her office handles all court case filings in the 20th Judicial Circuit, including every DUI case brought before the court in Waterloo. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-501, DUI charges are filed with the Circuit Clerk, and a case number is assigned to track all hearings, motions, verdicts, and sentencing orders.

Certified copies of DUI court documents can be requested through the clerk's office. These copies are often needed for SOS reinstatement hearings, legal proceedings, or personal records review. In-person requests are handled at the Waterloo courthouse. Mail requests are accepted as well. Contact the office before visiting to confirm hours, fees, and how long processing typically takes for your type of request.

The county website for the Circuit Clerk lists current hours and explains how to submit records requests. Check there first to avoid a wasted trip.

Monroe County Sheriff and FOIA Records

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office handles DUI arrests in unincorporated areas of the county. Arrest reports, booking records, and field sobriety documentation for those stops are held by the Sheriff. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, you can request these records in writing. The arrest record from the Sheriff covers what happened at the stop and during booking.

The court outcome, charges, and sentence are a separate record held by the Circuit Clerk. If you need a complete view of a DUI case, you will typically need records from both offices. They do not automatically share documents with each other, so each request must be made independently.

The Monroe County Sheriff's website has current contact information and may include FOIA instructions for the records division.

Visiting the site will show you hours, the FOIA process, and what types of records can be requested from the Monroe County Sheriff.

Illinois DUI Offenses: What the Law Says

Illinois makes it illegal under 625 ILCS 5/11-501 to drive with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or higher, or while impaired by any drug or combination of substances. The first offense is a Class A misdemeanor. A second DUI is also a misdemeanor but brings longer suspensions and more conditions. The third conviction becomes a Class 4 felony. Further offenses escalate to Class 2 felony status.

625 ILCS 5/11-501.1 creates an automatic Statutory Summary Suspension after a DUI arrest. If the driver refuses chemical testing, the suspension is 12 months. A failed test brings a 6-month suspension. The driver has 90 days to petition the circuit court to rescind it. Without a successful challenge, the suspension goes into effect and shows on the driving record as a separate entry from any criminal conviction.

License revocation is mandatory after a DUI conviction under 625 ILCS 5/6-205. This is a full revocation, not just a suspension. Getting the license back requires a formal petition to the Secretary of State. And unlike many other offenses, DUI convictions in Illinois cannot be expunged or sealed under 20 ILCS 2630/5.2. The criminal record is permanent.

Illinois State Police Criminal History

The Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification maintains statewide criminal history records that include DUI convictions from all counties in Illinois. If you want to check your own record, the ISP My Record portal at isp.illinois.gov/BureauOfIdentification/MyRecord lets you view and print your Illinois criminal history. This is the fastest way to see exactly what the state record shows.

Authorized agencies and courts use the CHIRP system (Criminal History Information Response Process) to pull official ISP records. The ISP Bureau of Identification phone number is 815-740-5160. Their main page at isp.illinois.gov/BureauOfIdentification explains the full range of services and how to submit requests. Because DUI convictions cannot be sealed, they remain in this database permanently after entry.

SOS Driving Records and Reinstatement

The Secretary of State maintains a driving abstract for every licensed Illinois driver. This document shows license status, any suspensions or revocations, and DUI-related driving history. A standard driving abstract costs $20 and can be ordered online at ilsos.gov. The abstract is separate from the ISP criminal history but gives you the driver's side of the record.

For Monroe County drivers whose licenses were revoked after a DUI, the reinstatement path goes through the Secretary of State Office of Administrative Hearings. That process is detailed at ilsos.gov/departments/administrative-hearings.html. For questions about license status or to find out where to schedule a hearing, the SOS Driver Analysis Section can be reached at 217-782-2720.

DUI Evaluations and the Reinstatement Process

Before a Monroe County driver can get a revoked license reinstated after a DUI, Illinois requires a formal DUI evaluation. A licensed evaluator conducts a risk assessment and places the driver in a category that determines what treatment or education is required. The evaluation report is submitted as part of the SOS reinstatement hearing.

Licensed evaluators in the Monroe County area can be found through the Illinois Department of Human Services or through referrals from the Circuit Clerk's office or your attorney. Some courts in the 20th Circuit also require an evaluation as a condition of sentencing, separate from the reinstatement process. Ask the Waterloo courthouse or your legal counsel about the specific requirements that apply in your case.

Cities in Monroe County

Waterloo is the county seat of Monroe County and is where the Circuit Clerk and Sheriff offices are located. Other communities in Monroe County include Columbia, Valmeyer, and Maeystown. None of these cities reach the population threshold for a dedicated city page, but residents throughout Monroe County file DUI cases at the 20th Judicial Circuit courthouse in Waterloo.

Nearby Counties

Monroe County sits in the southwestern corner of Illinois and shares borders with several counties, each handled by its own circuit court.