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How to Find Public Records in Logan County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Logan County, Illinois, may access publicly available information through LoganILRecords.us as well as through official county and state government offices. The Logan County, Illinois official website serves as a primary starting point for locating government-maintained documents. Depending on the record type, requestors may find documents related to the following categories:

Court filings (civil, criminal, probate, and family law)
Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
Vital records (births, deaths, marriages, and divorces)
Tax assessment and property tax records
Business licenses and permits
Voting and election records
County board meeting minutes and agendas
Law enforcement incident reports and arrest logs (where permitted)
Land use, zoning, and building permit records

Records can be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.

Online Access:

The Logan County government portal provides access to select county department pages and online databases.
The Logan County Courthouse offers online records access through the Illinois Courts system, including case lookup tools for civil and criminal matters.
Some property and recorder records may be searchable through the county assessor or recorder's online portal without registration.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Logan County Clerk's Office or the Circuit Clerk's Office located at the Logan County Courthouse, 601 Broadway Street, Lincoln, IL 62656. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Requestors should bring a valid photo identification and, where applicable, the full name and date of birth of the subject of the record.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the appropriate office at 601 Broadway Street, Lincoln, IL 62656. Per the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), public bodies are required to respond to written FOIA requests within five business days of receipt.

Phone/Email:

Logan County Clerk: (217) 732-4148
Logan County Circuit Clerk: (217) 735-2376

For criminal record searches, the county's record search page specifies that requests must include the subject's full name with middle initial and date of birth, submitted by fax or written correspondence.

What Are Public Records in Logan County?

Public records in Logan County are defined under Illinois law 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. Under 5 ILCS 140/2, a "public record" includes any document prepared by or for, or used by, received by, in the possession of, or under the control of any public body.

The following record types are maintained by Logan County offices:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Civil and criminal court records	Circuit Clerk, Logan County Courthouse
Property deeds, mortgages, liens	County Recorder
Vital records (births, deaths, marriages)	County Clerk
Tax assessment records	County Assessor
Business licenses and permits	County Clerk / City of Lincoln
Voting and election records	County Clerk
Meeting minutes and agendas	County Board / County Clerk
Law enforcement records	Logan County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	County Zoning / City of Lincoln

The City of Lincoln, as the county seat, maintains additional municipal records including building permits, zoning decisions, and city council minutes.

Is Logan County an Open Records County?

Logan County operates in full compliance with Illinois open records law. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140/1 et seq., 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 a presumption of openness, meaning that records are presumed to be public unless a specific statutory exemption applies.

As stated in the Act: "Pursuant to the fundamental philosophy of the American constitutional form of government, it is declared to be 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."

Logan County public bodies are required to designate a Freedom of Information Officer responsible for receiving and responding to FOIA requests. The county's compliance with state sunshine laws ensures that meeting agendas, minutes, budgets, and most administrative records remain accessible to the public. The Illinois Attorney General's Public Access Counselor provides guidance and enforcement authority under 5 ILCS 140/9.5, and members of the public who believe a request has been improperly denied may file a Request for Review with that office.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Logan County?

The current fee structure for public records in Logan County is governed by state law and individual office schedules. Under 5 ILCS 140/6, public bodies may charge fees for copies of records but may not charge for the cost of searching for or reviewing records.

Fee Type	Standard Amount
Black-and-white paper copies (letter/legal)	$0.15 per page
Color copies	Actual cost
Certification of records	Varies by office
Electronic format (where available)	No charge or nominal fee
Inspection of records	No charge

Inspection fees: Members of the public may inspect records at no charge during regular business hours.
Copy fees: The standard fee for black-and-white copies on letter or legal-size paper is $0.15 per page. Copies in other formats are charged at actual cost.
Certification fees: Certified copies of vital records and court documents carry separate fees set by the respective office. Certified copies of birth and death certificates from the County Clerk's Office are subject to a statutory fee.
Electronic format fees: Where records are maintained electronically, public bodies may provide them in electronic format at no additional charge beyond the standard copy fee.
Fee waivers: Under state law, fees may be waived or reduced if the requester demonstrates that disclosure is in the public interest and will primarily benefit the general public rather than the requester.

Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Individual offices may also accept credit or debit cards; requestors should confirm accepted methods prior to submitting payment.

Does Logan County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Logan County. Illinois law requires that public bodies permit any person to inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records in person carries no fee, obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the copy fees described above.

The following resources provide free access to certain records:

The Logan County government website provides free access to select public documents, including county board agendas, meeting minutes, and budget documents posted online.
The Logan County Courthouse provides public access terminals within the courthouse where members of the public may search and view court records at no charge.
The Illinois Courts online case search system allows free lookup of case information for matters filed in Logan County Circuit Court.
Property assessment records maintained by the Logan County Assessor's Office are available for free inspection at the office during business hours.

Who Can Request Public Records in Logan County?

Any person may request public records in Logan County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act does not require requestors to be Illinois residents, to provide identification, or to explain the reason for their request. As the Act states: "Each public body shall make available to any person for inspection or copying all public records, except as otherwise provided in [the Act]."

Specific considerations include:

Residency: Non-residents of Logan County and Illinois retain full rights to request public records under state law.
Identification: Requestors are not required to provide identification for standard public records requests, though some offices may request it for administrative purposes.
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for most record types.
Restrictions by record type: Certain records, such as criminal history records and vital records, may require the requestor to demonstrate a qualifying relationship or legal interest. The county's criminal record search process requires submission of the subject's full name with middle initial and date of birth.
Personal records: Individuals requesting their own records may be required to provide proof of identity to protect against unauthorized disclosure.

What Records Are Confidential in Logan County?

Not all government records in Logan County are subject to public disclosure. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act enumerates specific categories of exempt records under 5 ILCS 140/7. The following record types are exempt from mandatory disclosure:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency or abuse proceedings are confidential under Illinois law.
Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled for investigatory purposes where disclosure would interfere with a pending investigation or prosecution.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar personal data are exempt from disclosure.
Medical records: Health and medical records protected under HIPAA and state law are not subject to public disclosure.
Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related records are sealed under Illinois statute.
Child welfare records: Records maintained by child protective services are confidential.
Personnel records: Employee personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for certain public officials.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to a public body is exempt.
Security plans: Records relating to the security of public buildings, infrastructure, or emergency response plans are exempt.

As stated in the Act, public bodies must "provide the requester with a written notice of the decision to deny the request, the reasons for the denial, and the names and titles or positions of each person responsible for the denial." Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the public body is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder.

Logan County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Logan County Clerk and Recorder
601 Broadway Street, Room 3
Lincoln, IL 62656
Phone: (217) 732-4148
Logan County Clerk and Recorder

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on federal and state holidays.

Logan County Circuit Clerk
601 Broadway Street
Lincoln, IL 62656
Phone: (217) 735-2376
Logan County Courthouse – Illinois Courts