Kane County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Kane County?
Public records in Kane County are defined according to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.) as all records, reports, forms, writings, letters, memoranda, books, papers, maps, photographs, microfilms, cards, tapes, recordings, electronic data processing records, electronic communications, recorded information, and all other documentary materials pertaining to the transaction of public business, regardless of physical form or characteristics, having been prepared by or for, or having been or being used by, received by, in the possession of, or under the control of any public body.
Kane County maintains a comprehensive collection of public records that includes:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, traffic, probate, and family court cases are maintained by the Kane County Circuit Court Clerk
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments are maintained by the Kane County Recorder's Office
- Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and civil union licenses are available through the Kane County Clerk's Office
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
- Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax payment history
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of the Kane County Board, commissions, and committees
- 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 maps, and land use applications
Pursuant to § 5 ILCS 140/3(a), all records in the custody or possession of a public body are presumed to be open to inspection or copying. Access to these records is overseen by the Kane County Government through its various departments and offices.
Is Kane County an Open Records County?
Kane County fully adheres to 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 emphasizes that "access by all persons to public records promotes the transparency and accountability of public bodies at all levels of government" and that "it is a fundamental obligation of government to operate openly and provide public records as expediently and efficiently as possible."
Kane County has implemented specific procedures to comply with these state requirements. Each county department has designated FOIA officers who are responsible for receiving and processing public records requests. The county maintains a dedicated FOIA webpage that provides information about the request process, including standardized forms and contact information for departmental FOIA officers.
In accordance with § 5 ILCS 140/3(d), Kane County is required to respond to FOIA requests within 5 business days after receipt (with possible extension under certain circumstances). The county's commitment to transparency is further demonstrated through its online resources that make many public records directly accessible to citizens without the need for formal requests.
How to Find Public Records in Kane County in 2026
Members of the public seeking access to Kane County records may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:
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Online Access: Many records are available through the county's official websites:
- The Kane County Government website serves as the central portal for county information
- Court records can be searched through the Kane County Circuit Court Clerk's online system
- Property information is accessible via the Kane County Assessor's property lookup tool
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In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:
- For court records, visit the Kane County Courthouse
- For vital records, visit the Kane County Clerk's Office
- For property records, visit the Kane County Recorder's Office
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Written Requests: Submit a FOIA request form to the appropriate department:
- Download the standard FOIA request form from the county website
- Clearly identify the records being requested
- Submit the completed form to the designated FOIA officer for the relevant department
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Electronic Requests: Email FOIA requests to the appropriate departmental FOIA officer:
- Include "FOIA Request" in the subject line
- Provide detailed description of the records sought
- Include contact information for response
When making a request, it is advisable to be as specific as possible about the records being sought. Pursuant to § 5 ILCS 140/3(c), public bodies may not require that the request be submitted on a standard form, though Kane County does provide optional forms to facilitate the process.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Kane County?
Kane County follows the fee structure guidelines established by the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/6). The current fee schedule for public records is as follows:
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Black and White Copies:
- First 50 pages: Free
- Additional pages: $0.15 per page
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Color Copies or Oversized Documents:
- Actual cost of reproduction
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Electronic Records:
- Records provided in electronic format: No charge for the medium
- If electronic records must be printed first: Standard copy fees apply
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Certified Copies:
- Court documents: $10.00 for certification plus copy fees
- Vital records (per copy):
- Birth certificates: $15.00 for first copy, $4.00 for each additional copy
- Death certificates: $21.00 for first copy, $9.00 for each additional copy
- Marriage/Civil Union certificates: $14.00 for first copy, $5.00 for each additional copy
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Specialized Records:
- Maps and plats: Varies by size and complexity
- Audio/video recordings: Actual cost of reproduction
Pursuant to § 5 ILCS 140/6(b), fees may be reduced or waived if the request is in the public interest or if the requestor demonstrates financial hardship. Commercial requestors may be charged additional fees for personnel time required to locate and review records.
Kane County accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and credit card (in most offices). Payment methods may vary by department, and requestors are advised to confirm acceptable payment methods when submitting their request.
Does Kane County Have Free Public Records?
Kane County provides several avenues for accessing public records at no cost to requestors:
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Free Inspection: In accordance with Illinois FOIA (5 ILCS 140/3), all persons have the right to inspect public records at no charge during normal business hours. County offices provide facilities for on-site review of records, though appointments may be recommended for extensive research.
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Free Online Resources:
- The Kane County Government website offers free access to many public documents
- County Board meeting agendas and minutes are available online at no cost
- Property assessment information can be viewed through the Assessor's online database
- Election results and voter information resources are freely accessible
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Free Copies Under FOIA:
- The first 50 pages of black and white, letter or legal-sized copies are provided at no charge
- Electronic records that do not require redaction or special formatting are typically provided without fees
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Public Access Terminals:
- The Kane County Courthouse provides public access computers for searching court records
- The Kane County Recorder's Office maintains terminals for property record searches
- The Kane County Clerk's Office offers terminals for accessing certain public records
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Public Libraries:
- Several public libraries throughout Kane County provide access to county records and resources
It should be noted that while inspection is free, certification of documents and specialized searches may still incur fees as outlined in the county's fee schedule. Additionally, commercial requestors may be subject to fees even for records that would be free to non-commercial requestors.
Who Can Request Public Records in Kane County?
Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/3), any person has the right to request and receive public records from Kane County. The statute defines "person" broadly to include individuals, corporations, partnerships, firms, organizations, and associations.
Key eligibility considerations include:
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Residency: There is no residency requirement for requesting public records in Kane County. Both Illinois residents and non-residents have equal access rights under the law.
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Identification: For most general records, requestors are not required to provide identification or state the reason for their request. However, pursuant to § 5 ILCS 140/3.3, commercial requestors must identify themselves as such.
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Special Categories:
- Vital Records: Access to birth, death, and marriage certificates may require proof of identity and relationship to the subject of the record, in accordance with the Illinois Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535/).
- Criminal History: Access to criminal history information may be restricted based on the requestor's relationship to the subject.
- Juvenile Records: Access is generally limited to the juvenile, parents/guardians, attorneys, and authorized agencies under the Juvenile Court Act (705 ILCS 405/).
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Commercial Requests: Businesses seeking records for commercial purposes must disclose this intent. Commercial requestors may be subject to additional fees and extended response times under § 5 ILCS 140/3.1.
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Voluminous Requests: Individuals making requests for a large volume of records may be subject to extended response times and additional fees as provided in § 5 ILCS 140/3.6.
Kane County may not require requestors to state the purpose of their request, except to determine if the request is for commercial purposes or to determine whether to grant a fee waiver.
What Records Are Confidential in Kane County?
While Kane County operates under the presumption that government records are open to public inspection, certain categories of information are protected from disclosure under Illinois law. Pursuant to § 5 ILCS 140/7, the following records are exempt from public disclosure:
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Personal Privacy Information:
- Social Security numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Biometric identifiers
- Personal financial information
- Medical records protected under HIPAA
- Home addresses and telephone numbers of public employees
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Law Enforcement Records:
- Records that would interfere with pending law enforcement proceedings
- Confidential source information
- Information that would endanger the life or physical safety of any person
- Records that would disclose specialized investigative techniques
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Juvenile Records:
- Court records pertaining to minors as provided in the Juvenile Court Act (705 ILCS 405/)
- School student records as defined by the Illinois School Student Records Act
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Deliberative Process Materials:
- Preliminary drafts, notes, and recommendations
- Communications between public bodies and their attorneys (attorney-client privilege)
- Materials prepared for collective bargaining negotiations
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Security Information:
- Vulnerability assessments
- Security measures and response plans
- Critical infrastructure information
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Trade Secrets and Commercial Information:
- Trade secrets and commercial or financial information obtained from a person or business where disclosure would cause competitive harm
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Sealed Court Records:
- Records sealed by court order
- Expunged criminal records
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Personnel Records:
- Performance evaluations
- Information regarding disciplinary actions
Kane County applies these exemptions in accordance with § 5 ILCS 140/7(1)(c), which requires a balancing test to determine if disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the county will redact the exempt information and provide the remainder of the record.
Kane County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Kane County Recorder's Office
719 S. Batavia Avenue, Building C
Geneva, IL 60134
(630) 232-5935
Kane County Recorder
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Holidays: Closed (County observed holidays)
Services Provided:
- Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other property documents
- Maintaining land records
- Issuing copies of recorded documents
- Military discharge recording
- Plat recording
- Tax lien processing
Additional Information:
- Document recording fees vary by document type and number of pages
- Standard document copies: $1.00 per page
- Certified copies: $10.00 for certification plus copy fees
- Online search services are available through the Recorder's website
- Electronic recording (eRecording) is available for authorized submitters
The Recorder's Office maintains land records dating back to the county's formation in 1836. Members of the public may conduct research using public access terminals available in the office during regular business hours.