McDonough County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in McDonough County in 2026
McDonoughRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in McDonough County, Illinois. Members of the public may use this resource to locate records that may include court filings, property documents, vital records, and other materials held by county offices. The availability and completeness of any given record depends on the maintaining agency, the nature of the document, and applicable state law.
Records in McDonough County may be searched through official court resources, county clerk offices, public access terminals located at government facilities, and online tools provided by state and county agencies.
Online Access:
- The Illinois Courts online case search portal allows members of the public to search circuit court case information statewide, including cases filed in McDonough County's 9th Judicial Circuit.
- The Illinois Secretary of State's office maintains online databases for business entity records and UCC filings.
- Property assessment and tax records may be accessible through the McDonough County Assessor's office portal.
- Some online tools require account registration or identity verification before granting access to certain record categories.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public wishing to inspect records in person may visit the McDonough County Courthouse, located at 1 Courthouse Square, Macomb, IL 61455. The Circuit Clerk's office, County Clerk's office, and Recorder's office are all housed within this facility. Requestors should present a written or verbal description of the records sought and may be asked to complete a request form. Public access terminals are available for court record searches during regular business hours.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests should be directed to the appropriate office at 1 Courthouse Square, Macomb, IL 61455. Requests must include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, public bodies are required to respond to written FOIA requests within five business days of receipt.
Phone/Email:
- McDonough County Courthouse main line: (309) 833-2474
- Individual offices within the courthouse maintain separate direct lines; requestors are encouraged to contact the specific office maintaining the records of interest.
What Are Public Records in McDonough County?
Public records in McDonough County are defined under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140 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.
The following record types are maintained by McDonough County government offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records | Circuit Clerk's Office |
| Property deeds, mortgages, and liens | County Recorder's Office |
| Property tax and assessment records | County Assessor / Treasurer |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | County Clerk's Office |
| Divorce records | Circuit Clerk's Office |
| Business licenses and permits | County Clerk's Office |
| Voter registration and election records | County Clerk's Office |
| Meeting minutes and board agendas | County Board / Clerk's Office |
| Budget and financial documents | County Treasurer / Auditor |
| Arrest logs and incident reports | McDonough County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | County Planning and Zoning Office |
The McDonough County Courthouse serves as the central repository for court-related records and houses several of the offices listed above. County assessor records, including parcel boundaries, are also referenced in the McDonough County Emergency Management Plan maintained by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.
Is McDonough County an Open Records County?
McDonough County operates in full compliance with Illinois state open records law. Under 5 ILCS 140/1, the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, all public bodies in the state — including county offices — are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request. The Act establishes 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."
Each county office designated as a public body must appoint a FOIA officer responsible for receiving and responding to requests. The Illinois Attorney General's Public Access Counselor provides guidance and oversight for FOIA compliance across the state, and members of the public who believe a request has been improperly denied may submit a Request for Review to that office. The Illinois Attorney General's FOIA resources provide additional guidance on the rights of requestors and the obligations of public bodies.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in McDonough County?
The fee structure for public records in McDonough County is governed by the Illinois Freedom of Information Act and the policies of each individual office. Under 5 ILCS 140/6, public bodies may charge fees for copies but may not charge for the cost of searching for or reviewing records.
Current standard fees applicable to most county offices are as follows:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Black-and-white paper copies (first 50 pages) | No charge |
| Black-and-white paper copies (pages 51 and beyond) | $0.15 per page |
| Color copies or abnormal-size documents | Actual cost |
| Certification of records | Varies by office |
| Electronic format (where available) | No charge or actual cost of recording medium |
| Vital record certified copies (County Clerk) | $15.00 per copy (standard) |
| Court document copies (Circuit Clerk) | Varies; set by court schedule |
Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices may accept credit or debit cards; requestors should confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office prior to submitting a request. Fee waivers may be available when disclosure is in the public interest and the requestor is a non-profit organization or news media entity, as provided under state law.
Does McDonough County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in McDonough County. Under Illinois law, members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours at the office maintaining those records. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection itself carries no fee, obtaining physical or electronic copies may be subject to the fee schedule described above.
The following resources provide free access to certain McDonough County records:
- The Illinois Courts online case search portal provides free access to circuit court case index information, including cases from the 9th Judicial Circuit serving McDonough County.
- The Illinois Secretary of State's business entity database is freely accessible online for searches of registered business names and corporate filings.
- Public access terminals located at the McDonough County Courthouse allow free on-site inspection of court records and certain property records.
- The Illinois State Archives provides free online access to certain historical vital records and land records.
Who Can Request Public Records in McDonough County?
Any person may request public records from McDonough County government offices. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, there is no residency requirement — requestors need not be Illinois residents or United States citizens to submit a valid FOIA request. As stated in the Act, "all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government."
Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for most public records, nor are they required to provide identification in order to inspect records. However, certain record categories — such as law enforcement records, sealed court files, or records containing personal identifying information — may require the requestor to demonstrate a legitimate interest or provide identification before access is granted.
Individuals requesting their own records, such as personal court filings or vital records, may be required to provide proof of identity. Requests for records pertaining to another individual may be subject to additional review, particularly when those records contain protected personal information. Non-residents retain the same rights as residents under state law and may submit requests by mail, in person, or electronically.
What Records Are Confidential in McDonough County?
Not all government records in McDonough County are available for public inspection. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act enumerates specific categories of exempt records under 5 ILCS 140/7. The following record types are exempt from disclosure under current law:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Juvenile court records and proceedings
- Records pertaining to ongoing law enforcement investigations
- Personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers and financial account data
- Medical and mental health records protected under HIPAA
- Adoption records (accessible only by court order or to parties with statutory standing)
- Child welfare and protective services records
- Personnel records of public employees, with limited exceptions
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to government agencies
- Security plans, emergency response protocols, and critical infrastructure details
The Illinois Department of Corrections notes in its jail monitoring report for McDonough County that "your offices should make this monitoring report available for public review in the records of McDonough County," reflecting the principle that oversight documents are subject to public disclosure even when they concern correctional facilities. When a public body asserts an exemption, it bears the burden of demonstrating that the withheld material falls within a recognized statutory category.
McDonough County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
McDonough County Clerk and Recorder
1 Courthouse Square
Macomb, IL 61455
(309) 833-2474
McDonough County Clerk and Recorder
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on federal and state holidays
Additional Offices:
McDonough County Circuit Clerk
1 Courthouse Square
Macomb, IL 61455
(309) 833-2474
McDonough County Courthouse – Illinois Courts
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
McDonough County Sheriff's Office
110 N. Randolph St.
Macomb, IL 61455
(309) 833-2331
McDonough County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
McDonough County Assessor's Office
1 Courthouse Square
Macomb, IL 61455
(309) 833-2050
McDonough County Assessor
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM