Union County DUI Records

Union County DUI records are maintained through the 1st Judicial Circuit Court in Jonesboro, Illinois, with additional records held by the County Sheriff, Illinois State Police, and Secretary of State. This page explains where to find DUI case files, criminal history, and driving records tied to arrests and convictions in Union County.

Circuit Clerk of Union County

Keri Clark serves as the Union County Circuit Clerk. Her office is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit and keeps all court records for DUI cases filed in the county. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-501, every DUI charge filed in Union County is assigned a case number and tracked through the complete court record, including charging documents, court dates, plea entries, verdicts, and sentencing orders.

Requests for copies of DUI court records go through the clerk's office in Jonesboro. Certified copies are often needed for license reinstatement hearings or other legal matters. Most document requests are handled in person or by mail. Call ahead to confirm hours and fees before visiting or submitting a mail request.

The clerk's website lists office hours and contact information for Union County. Reach out before visiting to confirm document availability and whether your request can be handled by mail.

The ISP Bureau of Identification maintains the statewide criminal history that covers Union County DUI convictions along with records from all other Illinois counties.

Union County Sheriff

The Union County Sheriff's Office handles DUI arrests in unincorporated parts of the county and holds the arrest records for those incidents. Arrest reports, booking records, and incident details from DUI stops in those areas are available under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. Submit a written FOIA request to the Sheriff's records division to obtain copies.

The Sheriff holds the arrest record. The Circuit Clerk holds the court record. Both are separate sources. To get the full picture of a Union County DUI case, you typically need documents from both offices. The Sheriff can provide arrest and booking details, but information about the court outcome lives with the clerk.

Check the Sheriff's website for current FOIA instructions and the preferred method for submitting records requests in Union County.

Illinois DUI Law and the Record It Creates

Under 625 ILCS 5/11-501, Illinois prohibits operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or above, or while impaired by drugs or other substances. A first DUI is a Class A misdemeanor. A second offense escalates the consequences. The third offense is a Class 4 felony, meaning a permanent felony record.

At the time of arrest, a Statutory Summary Suspension typically goes into effect under 625 ILCS 5/11-501.1. Refusing chemical testing brings a 12-month suspension. Failing the test leads to a 6-month suspension. This is an administrative suspension separate from the criminal case. It appears on the driving abstract held by the Secretary of State and in related court records.

DUI convictions cannot be expunged or sealed under 20 ILCS 2630/5.2. Once entered and reported to the ISP, a DUI conviction stays permanently in the statewide criminal history database. No waiting period or process clears it from the record. The conviction remains visible in Illinois criminal history searches indefinitely.

The ISP criminal history page outlines what is in the statewide database, including DUI records that cannot be sealed or expunged under Illinois law.

Illinois State Police Criminal History

The ISP Bureau of Identification holds the central criminal history database for Illinois. DUI convictions from Union County courts are entered into this database after reporting by the courts and remain there permanently. The ISP can be reached at 815-740-5160. Their records page is at isp.illinois.gov/BureauOfIdentification.

To view your own Illinois criminal history, use the ISP My Record portal. For authorized third-party requests, the CHIRP system at chirp.isp.illinois.gov is used by courts, attorneys, and licensed agencies. Full access details are on the ISP criminal history page at isp.illinois.gov/BureauOfIdentification/CriminalHistory.

Secretary of State Driving Records

The Illinois Secretary of State holds driving records that include license status, suspensions, and DUI-related entries. A driving abstract costs $20 and is ordered at ilsos.gov. The abstract is a different document from the criminal record, but it will show a Statutory Summary Suspension from a Union County DUI arrest if one was imposed.

Mandatory license revocation follows a DUI conviction under 625 ILCS 5/6-205. Reinstating the license requires a formal petition to the SOS Office of Administrative Hearings, which can be reached at ilsos.gov/departments/administrative-hearings.html. For questions about license status or hearing scheduling, the SOS Driver Analysis Section is at 217-782-2720.

DUI Evaluations and Reinstatement

Reinstating a revoked Illinois license after a DUI requires a DUI evaluation by a licensed evaluator. The evaluator completes an assessment and places the driver in a risk category. That category determines what education or treatment must be completed before the SOS will consider reinstatement. Evaluators serving Union County and the Jonesboro area are registered with the Illinois Department of Human Services.

The 1st Judicial Circuit courts serving Union County may also require an evaluation as part of sentencing before a case closes. Check with the Circuit Clerk's office or an attorney familiar with 1st Circuit practice to understand what the local courts typically require. After completing required programs, the evaluation report goes to the SOS as part of the formal hearing process. Start the evaluation early if you know a reinstatement hearing will be needed for a Union County DUI case.

Reinstatement decisions rest with the SOS hearing officer. The process takes time, and the hearing officer reviews the full record before deciding. Plan for several months from evaluation through hearing to possible reinstatement.

Getting Records Without an Online Portal

Union County does not have a full public online portal for individual DUI case files. The Illinois Courts website covers general circuit court information but not case-level records for Union County. Specific case documents require a direct contact with the Circuit Clerk's office in Jonesboro.

Mail requests are accepted for those who cannot visit in person. Include the full name on the case, the case number if available, and what documents you need. The clerk can advise on fees and how to pay. If certified copies are needed, allow extra time for the office to prepare them. ISP and SOS records can each be requested through their online systems for criminal history and driving abstracts respectively.

Cities in Union County

Jonesboro is the county seat of Union County and the location of the Circuit Clerk and Sheriff's offices. Other communities include Anna, Cobden, and Dongola. None of these cities reach the population threshold for a dedicated page. All DUI proceedings for Union County go through the 1st Judicial Circuit courthouse in Jonesboro.

Nearby Counties

Union County borders several Illinois counties, each with their own circuit court for DUI cases.