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Vermilion County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Vermilion County?

Public records in Vermilion 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/). These records document the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of government bodies.

Vermilion County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

  • Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family law)
  • Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments)
  • Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates)
  • Business records (licenses, permits, fictitious business names)
  • Tax records (property tax assessments, tax sale information)
  • Voting and election records (voter registration, election results)
  • Meeting minutes and agendas (County Board, committees, commissions)
  • Budget and financial documents (annual budgets, expenditure reports)
  • Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports where permitted)
  • Land use and zoning records (permits, variances, zoning maps)

The Vermilion County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for many county records, while specialized records are maintained by respective departments. For example, the Vermilion County Circuit Clerk maintains court records, while the Recorder of Deeds manages property and land records.

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 Section 7 of the Illinois FOIA.

Is Vermilion County an Open Records County?

Vermilion County adheres to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under 5 ILCS 140/1, all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts and policies of public officials and public employees.

The statute explicitly states: "It is a fundamental obligation of government to operate openly and provide public records as expediently and efficiently as possible in compliance with this Act." This foundational principle guides Vermilion County's approach to records access.

Vermilion County has established FOIA procedures in compliance with state law. Each county department has designated FOIA officers responsible for receiving and processing requests. The county maintains a FOIA Request Portal where citizens can submit requests electronically.

Additionally, Vermilion County complies with the Illinois Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/), which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public, with adequate notice provided, and minutes recorded and made available.

The county's commitment to transparency is further demonstrated through its online resources, where many records are proactively published for public access without requiring a formal FOIA request.

How to Find Public Records in Vermilion County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Vermilion County may utilize several methods to access information. The county has established procedures to facilitate efficient records retrieval:

  1. Online Access: Many records are available through the county's official website. The Vermilion County Records Portal provides direct access to digitized records including property information, court cases, and meeting minutes.

  2. Submit a FOIA Request: For records not available online, individuals may submit a Freedom of Information Act request:

    • Complete the county's FOIA Request Form
    • Submit the form to the appropriate department's FOIA Officer
    • Requests must be responded to within 5 business days (may be extended under certain circumstances)

  3. Visit In Person: Records may be inspected in person at the appropriate county office:

Vermilion County Administration Building
201 N. Vermilion Street
Danville, IL 61832
(217) 554-6000
Vermilion County Government

  1. Court Records: Access court records through the Rita B. Garman Vermilion County Courthouse:

Vermilion County Circuit Clerk
Rita B. Garman Courthouse
7 N. Vermilion Street
Danville, IL 61832
(217) 554-7700
Vermilion County Circuit Clerk

  1. Property Records: Search property records through the Recorder's Office:

Vermilion County Recorder
201 N. Vermilion Street, Suite 210
Danville, IL 61832
(217) 554-6640
Vermilion County Recorder

Under § 5 ILCS 140/3(c), each public body must develop a list of documents or categories of records that shall be immediately disclosed upon request.

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

Vermilion County assesses fees for public records in accordance with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/6). The current fee structure is designed to recover reasonable costs associated with record production:

  • Standard black and white copies: $0.15 per page (after the first 50 pages, which are provided free of charge)
  • Color copies: $0.50 per page
  • Electronic records: No charge when records are already maintained in electronic format
  • Certified copies: $1.00 per document plus copy costs
  • Large format documents (maps, plats): $3.00-$5.00 per sheet
  • Media storage devices: Actual cost of the recording medium

For specialized records, additional fees may apply:

  • Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates): $10.00 for first copy, $4.00 for each additional copy
  • Court records: Fees vary by document type as established by the Circuit Clerk
  • Recorded documents (deeds, mortgages): $12.00 for first page, $1.00 for each additional page

Pursuant to § 5 ILCS 140/6(b), fees may be reduced or waived when the request is made in the public interest by non-profit organizations, academic institutions, or news media. The county accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and credit card (in most departments).

Commercial requests, as defined under § 5 ILCS 140/2(c-10), may incur additional fees for personnel time required to search for, retrieve, and prepare records.

Does Vermilion County Have Free Public Records?

Vermilion County provides several categories of public records at no cost to requestors. In accordance with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, the following records are available without charge:

The Illinois public records portal also provides access to numerous state records that may contain information relevant to Vermilion County residents.

Additionally, the county maintains public access terminals at several locations where citizens can search electronic records at no cost:

Vermilion County Administration Building Lobby
201 N. Vermilion Street
Danville, IL 61832
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Danville Public Library
319 N. Vermilion Street
Danville, IL 61832
Hours: Vary by day, please check library website

Who Can Request Public Records in Vermilion County?

Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/3), any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records from Vermilion County. The statute explicitly states that a public body may not require the requestor to specify the purpose for a request, except to determine whether the records are requested for a commercial purpose or whether to grant a fee waiver.

Key eligibility considerations include:

  • No residency requirement exists for basic public records requests
  • Requestors need not provide identification for most records
  • Requestors are not required to state their purpose or intended use of records
  • Requests may be submitted anonymously for non-commercial purposes
  • Commercial requestors must identify themselves as such, per § 5 ILCS 140/2(c-10)
  • Inmates in correctional facilities have modified request rights under § 5 ILCS 140/3(d)

For certain specialized records, additional requirements may apply:

  • Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates) require proof of identity and sometimes proof of relationship to the subject
  • Court records that have been sealed or expunged are only available to parties named in the case or their legal representatives
  • Juvenile court records have restricted access under the Juvenile Court Act (705 ILCS 405/)
  • Medical records require proper authorization under HIPAA regulations

Government agencies, researchers, and news media have the same access rights as individual citizens, though they may qualify for fee waivers under certain circumstances as provided in § 5 ILCS 140/6(c).

What Records Are Confidential in Vermilion County?

Vermilion County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with exemptions specified in the Illinois Freedom of Information Act 5 ILCS 140/7. These exemptions protect privacy, security, and other sensitive interests. Records exempt from disclosure include:

  • Private information as defined in § 5 ILCS 140/2(c-5), including:

    • Social Security numbers
    • Driver's license numbers
    • Biometric identifiers
    • Personal financial information
    • Medical records
    • Personal telephone numbers and email addresses

  • Law enforcement records that would:

    • Interfere with pending or contemplated law enforcement proceedings
    • Deprive a person of a fair trial
    • Identify confidential sources or witnesses
    • Disclose specialized investigative techniques
    • Endanger the life or physical safety of law enforcement personnel or others

  • Juvenile court records protected under the Juvenile Court Act (705 ILCS 405/)

  • Sealed or expunged criminal records pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/

  • Records containing trade secrets or commercial/financial information provided under a claim of confidentiality

  • Preliminary drafts, notes, and policy formulation records

  • Personnel files and personal information of public employees

  • Educational records protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

  • Attorney-client privileged communications and attorney work product

  • Records related to adjudication of employee grievances or disciplinary cases

  • Administrative enforcement proceedings records until fully adjudicated

  • Security procedures, vulnerability assessments, and security systems information

  • Maps and records regarding the location of critical infrastructure

Under § 5 ILCS 140/7(1)(c), the county must apply a balancing test for certain records, weighing whether "the subject's right to privacy outweighs any legitimate public interest in obtaining the information."

Vermilion County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Vermilion County Recorder of Deeds
201 N. Vermilion Street, Suite 210
Danville, IL 61832
(217) 554-6640
Vermilion County Recorder

Office Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Services Provided:

  • Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other land records
  • Maintaining property ownership records
  • Issuing certified copies of recorded documents
  • Processing military discharge records (DD-214)
  • Maintaining plat maps and surveys
  • Recording tax liens and releases
  • Processing real estate transfer declarations

The Recorder's Office maintains land records dating back to the county's formation in 1826. Many recent records (generally from 1985 forward) are available through the office's online search portal, while older records may require in-person research.

For research assistance, the public may contact the office directly during business hours. Staff cannot provide legal advice but can assist with locating records and explaining the recording process.

Lookup Public Records in Vermilion County

Rita B. Garman Vermilion County Courthouse

Illinois Department of Corrections Inmate Search

Illinois Public Records Portal

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