Des Plaines Public Records
Des Plaines public records are managed by the city clerk's office and various city departments along with Cook County government offices. Located in the northwest suburbs near O'Hare International Airport, Des Plaines has about 60,700 residents. The city clerk keeps local government records while the Cook County Circuit Court handles court case files. Des Plaines uses the city form of government rather than a village structure, so the city clerk is the main point of contact for records requests. Whether you need meeting minutes, police reports, or building permits, this page explains how to access Des Plaines public records.
Des Plaines Quick Facts
Cook County Records for Des Plaines
Des Plaines is in Cook County. Court records, vital records, and land documents are all handled at the county level. The Cook County Clerk keeps birth, death, and marriage certificates. The Clerk of the Circuit Court stores all court case files for civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic matters.
Land records for Des Plaines properties, including deeds, mortgages, and liens, go through the Cook County Clerk's Recordings Division. Property tax records are available from the Cook County Assessor. The assessor's website lets you look up property values, tax bills, and exemptions for any address in Des Plaines. See the Cook County public records page for full details on county offices, contact information, and online search tools available to Des Plaines residents.
Des Plaines City Clerk Records
The Des Plaines City Clerk is the official record keeper for the city government. The clerk maintains council meeting minutes, ordinances, resolutions, and other legislative documents. This office processes Freedom of Information Act requests for city records.
The Des Plaines city clerk's office is the place to go for most local government records. Meeting agendas and minutes are kept going back many years. The city council meets regularly and those proceedings are documented by the clerk. Many current documents are posted on the city website at desplaines.org. For records that are not posted online, submit a written FOIA request. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), the city must respond within 5 business days. The first 50 pages of standard copies are free, with additional pages at 15 cents each.
The clerk also handles business licenses and other city permits. If you need to verify a business license or look up city ordinances, this office can help.
| Office | Des Plaines City Clerk |
|---|---|
| Website | desplaines.org - City Clerk |
| City Website | desplaines.org |
| FOIA Response | 5 business days |
Note: Des Plaines uses the city government form rather than the village form, which is less common in suburban Cook County.
Des Plaines Police Records
The Des Plaines Police Department manages its own records requests. If you need police reports, accident reports, or incident records, contact the police department directly. This is separate from the general city FOIA process handled by the city clerk.
Accident reports are the most frequently requested police records. You can typically get a copy within a few business days. The department may have its own forms for records requests. For other types of police documents, a written FOIA request works. Some police records are exempt from release under Illinois law. Files tied to active investigations, juvenile cases, and certain personal information may be withheld or have portions blacked out before release. The police department will explain any exemptions in their response letter.
Des Plaines Building Records
Building permits, zoning records, and inspection files are all public records in Des Plaines. The city's community and economic development department issues permits and maintains these records. Permits cover new construction, renovations, additions, and various smaller projects.
These records can be very helpful if you are buying a home or commercial property in Des Plaines. They show what work was done, when it was inspected, and whether it received final approval. Work done without permits can cause problems with insurance claims or future sales. To check the permit history for a specific address, contact the development department or file a FOIA request with the city. Zoning records show the classification for each parcel and any approved variances or special uses. Code enforcement records that document violations and their resolution are also available through FOIA.
Illinois Vital Records for Des Plaines
Vital records like birth and death certificates for Des Plaines residents are kept by the Cook County Clerk. The Illinois Department of Public Health also maintains statewide vital records.
The state vital records office can issue copies of birth and death certificates for events that happened anywhere in Illinois, including Des Plaines. Birth records are restricted and only available to authorized individuals. Death records and marriage records have different access rules depending on their age.
Des Plaines Records Resources
Here are the main types of public records available from Des Plaines city offices:
- City council meeting minutes and agendas
- Ordinances, resolutions, and the city code
- Police reports and accident reports
- Building permits and inspection records
- City budget and financial reports
The Des Plaines city website posts many of these documents online. Start there before filing a formal FOIA request. If you cannot find what you need on the website, the city clerk's office can help you figure out which department has the records and how to request them. The FOIA process is straightforward and you do not need a lawyer or special form to submit a request.
Nearby Cities
Des Plaines is in the northwest suburbs of Cook County near several other large communities. All of these cities use the Cook County court system and county offices for vital records and land documents.