LaSalle County Public Records
What Are Public Records in LaSalle County?
Public records in LaSalle County are defined as all documentary materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received by any public agency in pursuance of law or in connection with the transaction of public business, as specified under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.). These records document the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of government.
LaSalle County maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, traffic, and family court cases maintained by the LaSalle County Circuit Clerk
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and property transfers recorded by the County Recorder
- Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and civil union certificates maintained by the County Clerk
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
- Tax Records: Property tax assessments, tax bills, and payment records available through the County Assessor's Office
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registrations, election results, and campaign finance reports
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of County Board meetings, committee meetings, and other public bodies
- Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with certain restrictions), and jail records
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and land use plans
Pursuant to § 5 ILCS 140/3(a), "Each public body shall make available to any person for inspection or copying all public records, except as otherwise provided in Sections 7 and 8.5 of this Act." The primary portal for accessing many of these records online is through the LaSalle County Records Online system.
Is LaSalle County an Open Records County?
LaSalle County fully complies with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under 5 ILCS 140/1, the Illinois General Assembly has declared that "it is the public policy of the State of Illinois that all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts and policies of those who represent them as public officials and public employees."
The statute further states in § 5 ILCS 140/1.2 that "All records in the custody or possession of a public body are presumed to be open to inspection or copying. Any public body that asserts that a record is exempt from disclosure has the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that it is exempt."
LaSalle County has established specific procedures for handling public records requests in accordance with state law. The County's FOIA policy adheres to the state's requirement that public bodies respond to requests within 5 business days (which may be extended for an additional 5 business days under certain circumstances as permitted by § 5 ILCS 140/3(e)).
The County also complies with the Illinois Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/1 et seq.), which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public, with adequate notice provided, and that minutes of these meetings be made available for public inspection.
How to Find Public Records in LaSalle County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in LaSalle County may utilize several methods to access public information:
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Online Access: Many records are available through the LaSalle County Records Online portal. The system offers three search options:
- Laredo: Provides document images with subscription
- Tapestry: Offers document images with pay-per-view options
- Direct Search: Provides basic information without images
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In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:
- For court records: Visit the LaSalle County Circuit Clerk's Office at the courthouse
- For property records: Visit the County Recorder's Office
- For vital records: Visit the County Clerk's Office
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Written FOIA Requests: Submit a formal FOIA request to the appropriate department:
- Requests must be in writing (though no specific form is required)
- Include a description of the records sought
- Specify whether inspection or copies are requested
- Provide contact information for response
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Property Records Search: The LaSalle County Assessor's Online Assessment Inquiry system allows users to search property records by owner name, property address, or parcel number.
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Court Records: The Illinois Courts system provides access to case information through their online portal, with more detailed records available at the LaSalle County Courthouse.
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Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and civil union certificates can be requested through the County Clerk's Office or, for certain records, through the Illinois Department of Public Health's Division of Vital Records.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in LaSalle County?
LaSalle County charges fees for public records in accordance with § 5 ILCS 140/6, which permits public bodies to charge reasonable fees for copying, certification, and for records furnished in a paper format. Current fees for public records in LaSalle County are as follows:
- Standard Paper Copies: $0.15 per page for black and white copies (8.5" x 11" or 8.5" x 14")
- Color Copies: $0.25 per page
- Certified Copies: Additional $1.00 per document
- Large Format Documents: Actual cost of reproduction
- Electronic Records: No charge when provided via email or electronic media provided by the requestor
- Commercial Requests: May include personnel time for searching and retrieving records
For vital records, specific fees apply:
- Birth Certificates: $15.00 for the first copy, $4.00 for each additional copy
- Death Certificates: $19.00 for the first copy, $8.00 for each additional copy
- Marriage/Civil Union Certificates: $14.00 for the first copy, $5.00 for each additional copy
For court records, the Circuit Clerk's Office charges:
- Regular copies: $2.00 for the first page, $0.50 for each additional page
- Certified copies: $5.00 for the first page, $1.00 for each additional page
Payment methods accepted include cash, check, money order, and credit cards (in most offices). Checks should be made payable to the specific office providing the records (e.g., "LaSalle County Clerk" or "LaSalle County Circuit Clerk").
Pursuant to § 5 ILCS 140/6(c), fees may be reduced or waived if the request is in the public interest or if the requestor demonstrates financial hardship and the records are sought for a specific purpose.
Does LaSalle County Have Free Public Records?
LaSalle County provides several options for accessing public records at no cost:
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In-Person Inspection: Pursuant to § 5 ILCS 140/3(a), all public bodies must make records available for inspection without charge. Members of the public may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to view records without paying a fee.
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Online Resources: Several free online resources are available:
- The LaSalle County Assessor's property search provides basic property information at no cost
- County Board meeting agendas and minutes are available on the county website
- The LaSalle County Records Online Direct Search option provides basic information without charge
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Fee Waivers: Under certain circumstances, fees may be waived:
- For requests in the public interest (primarily benefiting the general public)
- For requestors demonstrating financial hardship
- For the first 50 pages of black and white copies for non-commercial requests
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Electronic Records: When records are maintained in electronic format and no redaction is needed, they may be provided via email at no cost.
The Illinois Department of Public Health also provides certain statistical information derived from vital records at no cost, though certified copies always require payment of the statutory fee.
Who Can Request Public Records in LaSalle County?
Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, any person may request public records from LaSalle County. The statute defines "person" broadly to include individuals, corporations, partnerships, firms, organizations, and associations.
Key points regarding eligibility to request records:
- Residency: There is no residency requirement. Both Illinois residents and non-residents may request records.
- Identification: For most records, requestors are not required to provide identification or state the reason for their request. As specified in § 5 ILCS 140/3(c), "The request shall be made in writing and directed to the public body."
- Commercial Requests: Persons requesting records for commercial purposes must disclose that purpose. Commercial requestors may be charged additional fees and have different response timelines.
- Restricted Records: For certain restricted records, such as law enforcement records or records containing personal information, additional verification may be required.
- Vital Records: Access to birth, death, marriage, and civil union certificates is more restricted. Per the Illinois Vital Records Act, only the person named in the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or persons with a direct interest may obtain these records.
Government agencies, researchers, journalists, attorneys, and businesses may all request public records, though the purpose of the request may affect fees and response times.
What Records Are Confidential in LaSalle County?
While LaSalle County strives for transparency, certain records are exempt from disclosure under § 5 ILCS 140/7 of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. These exemptions include:
- Personal Privacy: Private information including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, biometric identifiers, personal financial information, medical records, and home addresses of certain individuals
- Law Enforcement Records: Information that would interfere with pending law enforcement proceedings, deprive a person of a fair trial, identify confidential sources, or endanger anyone's life or physical safety
- Preliminary Drafts: Preliminary drafts, notes, and recommendations in which opinions are expressed or policies formulated
- Trade Secrets: Trade secrets and commercial or financial information obtained from a person or business where disclosure would cause competitive harm
- Sealed Court Records: Records sealed by court order
- Juvenile Records: Records relating to juvenile offenders, as protected by the Juvenile Court Act
- Attorney-Client Privilege: Communications between the public body and its attorney
- Examination Materials: Test questions, scoring keys, and other examination data
- Security Measures: Information regarding security procedures, vulnerability assessments, and security systems
- Personnel Files: Performance evaluations and personal information of public employees
Additionally, specific statutes restrict access to certain records:
- Adoption Records: Protected under the Adoption Act
- Mental Health Records: Protected under the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act
- School Student Records: Protected under the Illinois School Student Records Act
- Medical Records: Protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the county will redact the exempt information and provide the remainder of the record, as required by § 5 ILCS 140/7(1).
LaSalle County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
LaSalle County Recorder's Office
707 E. Etna Road, Suite 175
Ottawa, IL 61350
(815) 434-8219
LaSalle County Recorder
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
LaSalle County Clerk's Office
707 E. Etna Road
Ottawa, IL 61350
(815) 434-8202
LaSalle County Clerk
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
LaSalle County Circuit Clerk's Office
119 West Madison Street
Ottawa, IL 61350
(815) 434-8671
LaSalle County Circuit Clerk
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
LaSalle County Assessor's Office
707 E. Etna Road
Ottawa, IL 61350
(815) 434-8233
LaSalle County Assessor
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Lookup Public Records in LaSalle County
Records Online portal for LaSalle County
LaSalle County Courthouse information
LaSalle County Circuit Clerk's records
Property assessment records search
FOIA request information and forms
Illinois public records services