This page is operated by Judici.com, not a court. Links to this page do not constitute endorsement by any court of the content, policies, or services offered here.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Help



2. Data



3. Judici E-Pay



4. Advertising



5. Judici E-Filing



6. Courtlook



Answers:

1. Help
A. What are the minimum requirements for using www.judici.com?   -   (return to top)

1. We recommend using the latest version of Firefox or Chrome, or Microsoft Edge to view judici.com.
2. Due to issues with Internet Explorer 11 across all Windows platforms, we highly recommend you do not use this browser when looking up information on Judici. Please use one of the browsers listed above.
4. Please note that Opera is not a supported browser due to requests being routed through servers registered outside of the US before making a request to Judici.
5. The minimum screen resolution recommended for judici.com is 1024x768. Smaller resolutions may cause display problems.



C. Why am I not getting my password/account information/replies to questions?   -   (return to top)

Most likely you have a spam blocker that prevents our emails from getting to you. If you are doing an inital sign-up, please ensure that you have subscribe@judici.com allowed with any spam blockers you may have. If you are requesting that your password or account information be sent to you, please ensure that support@judici.com is listed as a "safe-sender".


D. When I print, the content goes past the right margin.   -   (return to top)

The website was designed to be viewed on computer monitors, which are wider than they are tall. Change your Page Setup page orientation from portrait to landscape.


E. When I print in Microsoft Explorer, it doesn't look as nice as it looks on the screen.   -   (return to top)

Select Internet Options on the Tools menu. Go to the Advanced tab. Under the Printing section check "Print Background Colors and Images".


F. How can I go to a page other than Case Info when accessing a case?   -   (return to top)

We start at the Case Info page to help ensure that users "have the right Smith, John". Furthermore, that is the only page guaranteed to have data on it. However, you can bookmark ANY page on the site in order to get to it quickly. If you often go to the same case(s), just go to the page where you'd prefer to start, then bookmark it in your browser. Then you can use the bookmark to go directly to that page and you'll never even have to do the SEARCH again, much less view the Case Info page.


G. The screen is too big... I can't even see the Search button without scrolling.   -   (return to top)

* There are a few options here, all under the user's control:
o Change the resolution on your monitor. Though other resolutions will work, the site was designed for a 15 inch monitor running at 1024X768 resolution.
o Change the text size in your browser. In Microsoft Explorer, just go to the View menu and reduce the "text size" option.
o Just hit the Enter key. This works whether or not the button is visible. Almost ALL sites on the web work this way.


H. I have been advised I need to clear my cache and/or cookie files in order to view Judici properly.   -   (return to top)

Sometimes following an upgrade, or restoring access to Judici, you may need to clear your cache and cookie files for your browser in order for the page to display properly. The following link will give you information on how to empty your computer cache and cookie files.

http://kb.iu.edu/data/ahic.html

Once you have done so, please try again. If you continue to have an error, please use the Contacts Page link at the bottom of the page and we will look into it further. Additionally, if you are presented with an error message, please copy that error message into the email.


2. Data
A. What data is available?   -   (return to top)

Generally, all cases that are publicly available at the courthouse are also available through Judici. However, according to statute, not all court data is publicly available. Common examples of non-public data include juvenile and adoption cases, as well as any case impounded by the court.


B. How often is the data updated?   -   (return to top)

The frequency depends on the court and their software vendor. One vendor has the ability to do practically instantaneous synchronization with Judici. All pages with case data are stamped with a time and date last updated.


C1. Can I download large amounts of data and retain a copy?   -   (return to top)

No, for the same reasons that Judici doesn't offer "bulk distribution " of data (see FAQ below).

Judici's terms of use require that users not retain substantial portions of data, but instead do a fresh query of the latest publicly-available information every time they need information on an individual. Users found to be engaged in inappropriate mass acquisition, retention or distribution will have access to this website revoked for all of their IP addresses.


C2. Does Judici offer bulk distribution of court data?   -   (return to top)

While Judici does offer web services which allow automated access to court data (see next FAQ), bulk bulk distribution of large quantities of data is not available. Many courts across the country have discarded this approach, because it results in people using old data which later gets changed in some important way. Some examples of how this happens after the initial bulk download:
-A case could get impounded or expunged
-The court clerk might fix a data input error
-The court clerk or the state might changes their policy on what Judici data elements should be private

The use of "stale" data downloaded in bulk is one of the reasons that so many credit reports contain outdated and incorrect information. To avoid that problem, Judici has followed the lead of many courts which have chosen to offer automated online query interfaces which are real-time and person-specific. Such person-related queries are often the same ones offered on Judici web pages, they're just made available using a web service which can be run by an outside program rather than a human user. The tools to do this are more complicated than bulk distribution, but they ensure that end-users get fresh, up-to-date information.


C3. Does Judici have any way for users to automate access the the court's data?   -   (return to top)

Judici does offer web services which allow automated access to Judici.com. This lets Judici reduce the load on our web pages by commercial users, while letting such users do searches without time-consuming human involvement. But in light of the above-referenced concerns regarding data retention and bulk distribution of court data, the web services offered are all "person-centric" (focusing on a specific individual rather than delivering data in bulk).

Any entity interested in the sort of web services described herein can use the Contacts page send an e-mail describing their needs.


D. How far back does the data go?   -   (return to top)

Adams County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1987.
Alexander County, IL - Criminal and Civil cases are current from 1986.
Bond County, IL - Criminal and Civil Files are current from 1987.
Boone County, IL - Criminal and Civil Files are current from 08/23/1993.
Brown County, IL - Criminal and Civil Files are current from 1992.
Bureau County, IL - Criminal and Civil Files are current from late 1988.
Calhoun County, IL. - Criminal and Civil Files are current from 1998.
Carroll County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1988.
Cass County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1998.
Christian County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1987.
Clark County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1989.
Clay County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from September 1988.
Clinton County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1988.
Crawford County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1992.
Cumberland County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1990
Coles County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1989.
DeWitt County, IL. - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1989.
Douglas County, IL. - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1989
Edgar County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1992 on, and all prior cases have been put in if any activity was pending.
Edwards County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 2000.
Effingham County, IL. - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1987.
Fayette County, IL. - Criminal files are current from 1988 on, and all prior cases have been put in if any activity was pending.
Ford County, IL. - Traffic files are current from 1989. Other Criminal and Civil files are current from March 2000, and all prior cases have been put in if any activity was pending.
Franklin County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1987.
Fulton County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 2003. Some prior cases are available if activity was pending.
Gallatin County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 2009.
Greene County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1996.
Grundy County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1988.
Hancock County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1991. Prior cases may be available if any activity was pending.
Hamilton County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 2002.
Hardin County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 2000.
Henderson County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 2011. Prior cases are available if any activity was pending.
Henry County, IL - Criminal files are current from 1989. Prior cases have been put in if any activity was pending.
Iroquois County, IL - Civil files are current from 1990. Criminal files are current from 1988.
Jackson County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1985.
Jasper County, IL - Criminal and Civil cases are current from 1987.
Jefferson County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1987.
Jersey County, IL - Criminal and Civil cases are current from 1990.
Jo Daviess County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1992.
Johnson County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from April 1987.
Knox County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 2000. Cases from before that year with pending activity may be available.
Lawrence County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1999.
Livingston County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 2000.
Logan County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1989.
McDonough County, IL - Criminal and Civil files current from 1985. Prior cases are available if any activity was pending.
Macoupin County, IL - Criminal files are current from 1994 on, and all prior cases have been put in if any activity was pending.
Marion County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1988.
Marshall County, IL - Criminal and Civil cases are current from 1988.
Macon County, IL - Criminal and Civil cases are current from 1989.
Mason County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1989.
Massac County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1986.
Menard County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1994.
Mercer County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1988.
Monroe County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1992, as well as those pending at that time.
Montgomery County, IL - Criminal and Civil records are current from 1992, as well as those pending at that time.
Morgan County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1990.
Moultrie County, IL - Criminal and Civil records are current from June 1990.
Ogle County, IL - Criminal files are current from 1989 and Civil files are current from 1994.
Perry County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1989.
Piatt County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1999.
Pike County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1991.
Pope County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1989, as well as those pending at that time.
Pulaski County, IL - Criminal and Civil cases are current from 1986.
Putnam County, IL - Criminal and Civil cases are current from 1990.
Randolph County, IL - Criminal and Civil cases are current from 1992.
Richland County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1999.
Rock Island County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1989, as well as those pending at that time.
Saline County, IL - Criminal and Civil cases are current from 1986.
Schuyler County, IL - Criminal and Civil cases are current from 1988.
Scott County, IL - Criminal and Civil cases are current from 2011.
Shelby County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1988.
Stark County, IL - Criminal and Civil cases are current from 2000.
Stephenson County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1989.
Union County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1986.
Wabash County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 2000.
Warren County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 2000.
Wayne County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1988.
Washington County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1997, as well as those pending at that time.
White County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1992.
Whiteside County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1989.
Williamson County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 1986, as well as those pending at that time.
Woodford County, IL - Criminal and Civil files are current from 2000 on, and all prior cases have been put in if any activity was pending.


E. Can I do something to keep my records from being made public to users of Judici.com and those who visit the court in person?   -   (return to top)

People with qualifying arrests and convictions may petition the court of their sentencing county for an expungement or sealing of their records. Neither Judici.com or our participating court staff are allowed to offer the sort of detailed legal advice required to do this.

Please see the website for the Office of the State Appellate Defender for further information. Here you can view what is needed for:


F. Why is case information on minors charged with crimes as adults not available on Judici in some counties?   -   (return to top)

When a Court chooses to restrict data available on minors, Judici hides case information for minors based on the defendant's birth date. In counties where data on minors is restricted, all cases where the defendant was a minor at the time charges were filed are unavailable on Judici. However, minors charged with crimes as adults are a matter of public record. This information might be available in the public record at the courthouse even though it is not available on Judici.


G. What does the information mean on the page?   -   (return to top)

For an overview of the meaning of various terms used on Judici, please read "Understanding Material on Judici" written by Jeremy Richey, originally appearing on "The East Central Illinois Criminal Law & DUI Weblog." Used with permission.

Link will open in a new window.

Understanding Material on Judici

This information is provided as a convenience by Judici, and do not constitute legal advice. For legal advice, please contact an experienced attorney. This link is not an endorsement of services by either Judici or the participating courts.


H. If I subscribe, can I get access to documents that have been filed and scanned?   -   (return to top)

Initially, Judici document access was limited to the attorney of record. As of Sep. 6 2021, publicly-available documents are available, on some case types, to licensed attorney subscribers who are not the attorney of record. This is in compliance with Section 3(c) and 3(e) of the Illinois Supreme Court's Remote Access Policy. The case types where documents are available are:


  • AR - Arbitration;

  • CC - Criminal Contempt;

  • CH - Chancery;

  • CL - Civil Law;

  • CF - Criminal Felony;

  • CM - Criminal Misdemeanor

  • CV - Conservation;

  • D - Dissolution;

  • DT - DUI;

  • ED - Eminent Domain;

  • F - Family;

  • L - Law;

  • LM - Law Magistrate;

  • MC - Municipal Corporation;

  • MR - Miscellaneous Remedy;

  • OP - Order of Protection;

  • OV - Ordinance Violation;

  • P - Probate;

  • SC - Small Claim;

  • TR - Traffic cases; and

  • TX - Tax.



A Courtlook subscription and a matching attorney record from at least one of our participating courts is required. Please note that not all documents are available on all cases, and not all cases will have documents.

You can find a copy of the policy which governs electronic case access at https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/.


I. If I subscribe, can I get access to information that says "Secured" on the free case search pages?   -   (return to top)

Judici provides the Circuit Clerks in our participating counties options to secure some of the personal information provided in the court records, and it is the Circuit Clerk for each county that makes the final determination of what information to disseminate to the public through electronic access. What we show on Judici is in compliance with those instructions.

If the information, such as addresses, does not appear on the Case Information pages through the free case search pages, that information will not be available through any of our premium services.


J. What is the difference between the "Last Update" and "Last Upload" dates?   -   (return to top)

The Last Update is the last time this case information was modified in some way by the court. This may include anything from adding a new hearing date to correcting the spelling of a name. For details on what change occurred, you will need to contact the Circuit Clerk's office in the county where the case was heard.

The Last Upload is the last time we received a fresh copy of the case from the court. We reload all case information from each court approximately once a month to insure the completeness of our database records. If you have an old case that has been closed and see a new upload date, this just means we refreshed our copy of the information. This does not mean any changes have occurred on a case.


K. I need to contact the court about my case.   -   (return to top)

Please note that Judici operates solely as the webhost of the court's data. If you have questions concerning a case on Judici, you will need to contact the Circuit Clerk's office directly in the county where the case was heard.

The following link will give you the mailing addresses and phone numbers for all the County Circuit Clerks in Illinois:

http://www.state.il.us/court/CircuitCourt/CircuitCourtJudges/CCC_County.asp


L. Weed is legal now in Illinois. Can I clear my record?   -   (return to top)

Generally speaking, cannabis cases that qualify for automatic expungement will be removed from Judici once the case itself has been removed by the Circuit Clerk's office in the county where the case was filed. However, expungement is based on several factors by specific deadlines, and it is somewhat complicated process. You can view how this process is taking place at the Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) website:

https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/weed-legal-now-can-i-clear-my-record

(Please note that the URL above is neither controlled nor maintained by Judici, and is provided solely as a convenience. The ILAO is solely responsible for the accuracy of the information on that page.)

If your case is eventually expunged, the information will be removed from Judici within 10-15 minutes of the order being entered into the computer systems at the court.


3. Judici E-Pay
A. What is the difference between Judici E-Pay and Judici Plea & Pay?   -   (return to top)

Judici E-Pay
Judici E-Pay allows users to pay outstanding fines on closed cases. Cases with a disposition, sentence and an accounts receivable balance are available for Judici E-Pay. Payments will be applied to the outstanding balance. A sliding fee is charged based on the amount paid. The fee is not collected by the Circuit Clerk.

Judici Plea & Pay
Judici Plea & Pay allows users to plead guilty to a minor traffic. or conservation offense and pay the fine. The case must be open. A plea of guilty will be entered for the defendant on the case and the payment applied to the fine. A fixed fee is charged. The fee is not collected by the Circuit Clerk.


B. Why can't I use Judici E-Pay?   -   (return to top)

[Permalink content] There are a number of reasons why your case may not be eligible for Judici E-Pay.

  1. Your county must allow Judici E-Pay payments.
  2. The case must be closed. Without a disposition and sentence on all charge(s), the case is not eligible.
  3. The case must have an outstanding balance in accounts receivable.
  4. The case must not have a prohibited payment type of electronic payment.


C. Which cases are eligible for Judici Plea & Pay?   -   (return to top)

[Permalink content] Only certain types of cases are eligible for Judici Plea & Pay.

  • The only cases types that may use Judici E-Pay Plea and Pay are TR (Traffic)and CV (Conservation).

  • Your county must allow Judici Plea & Pay payments.

  • In addition, only violations that do not require appearance in court (may appear) cases are eligible. Read your ticket carefully to ensure that court appearance is NOT required.

  • If you received more than one ticket at the time of the offense, other than a seat belt citation, your cases are not eligible for Judici E-Pay Plea and Pay.

  • Your case must be open. Make sure there is no date in the "Initial Close Date" field on the Case Information page.

  • Your case must not have a disposition or sentence other than "Failure to Appear".

  • Any cash bond posted on the violation must not exceed the amount due to the court.


D. Why isn't it an option to get supervision on my case?   -   (return to top)

The supervision option isn't allowed on Judici.com for traffic tickets issued when the violator was under 18 years of age. Such violators must appear in court with a parent or legal guardian to request supervision.


E. What are the convenience fees for E-Pay?   -   (return to top)

E-Pay convenience fees are a sliding scale based on the amount charged. You can see the E-Pay convenience fee scale here..


4. Advertising
A. Why does this section exist?   -   (return to top)

Judici.com is exploring placing advertising on free case search and case details pages. This should defray the cost of providing free access to court data. Advertising is currently in beta in a few counties. Additional counties will be added after we test the process.


B. What are the guidelines for acceptable advertising on Judici?   -   (return to top)

The Judici Advertising Guidelines are located at Judici Advertising Guidelines. Judici reserves the right to deny an advertisement for any reason.


C.How long does a month advertising placement last?   -   (return to top)

A month advertisement placement will last for 30 days.


D. How long does a month placement last?   -   (return to top)

You may purchase up to 6 months (180 days) of an advertisement placement at a time. You may add months to an existing advertisement placement up to 6 months (180 days).



F. Can I show more than one advertisement at a time?   -   (return to top)

Yes, you can have more than one advertisement on Judici. Once you have an approved advertisement, you can develop as many additional advertisements as you would like. Each advertisement will appear according to its purchased advertisement placements. Advertisement placements can be transferred from one advertisement to another.


G. Will multiple advertisement placements for the same advertisement appear concurrently or consecutively?   -   (return to top)

Multiple advertisement placements will appear concurrently. For example, if you purchase two advertisement placements for Union County, Case Search pages, your advertisement will appear two times (2x) during each rotation of advertisement placements.

To extend the number of months an advertisement placement runs, add additional months, up to 6 months (180 days), on the existing advertisement placement.


H. I work for a nonprofit, how do we advertise for free?   -   (return to top)

Registered non-profits may be eligible for free advertising accounts on www.judici.com. Please see Advertising as a Non-Profit on Judici.

You must fax us a copy of an official Federal or State letter affirming your tax-exempt status to verify your non-profit status. If your advertisement is approved, your advertisement will be added to the advertisement placement rotation at www.judici.com at no cost to you. Judici.com reserves the right to deny advertisements for any reason.


I. I want to edit my advertisement. How should I do that?   -   (return to top)

You can edit your advertisement by clicking the "Edit" button from User Account. If you edit an approved advertisement, any advertisement placements associated with the advertisement will be paused pending approval of the advertisement changes. Once changes are approved, the advertisement placements will resume. Your advertisement placement month will continue while your advertisement is paused.

Alternately, you could create a new advertisement and submit it for approval. Once the new advertisement is approved you could transfer the existing advertisement placements to the new advertisement. This will allow your advertisement placement to continue while your new advertisement is being approved.


J. Can I make an advertisement without purchasing advertisement placements?   -   (return to top)

The first advertisement requires the purchase of at least one advertisement placement at the time of submission. Once you have at least one approved advertisements, you can submit advertisements for approval without purchasing additional advertisement placements from User Account. Click on "Create New Advertisement" link to begin the process. Check "Submit for approval only" to submit an advertisement for approval without purchasing advertisement placements.
Once your advertisement is approved, advertisement placements will have to be purchased for the advertisement in order for it to appear on www.judici.com.


K. Can I transfer my existing advertisement placements to a different advertisement?   -   (return to top)

Purchased advertisement placements can be transfered from one advertisement to another at User Account. Simply select a new advertisement from the "Move Placement to different Ad". The advertisement placement will be transferred to the selected advertisement.


L. How do I pause or delete an advertisement from Judici?   -   (return to top)

Advertisement placements can be deleted or paused indefinitely from your User Account. Advertisements must be paused before they can be deleted. Pause an advertisement from your User Account by clicking the "pause" button.
Once an advertisement is paused, it can be deleted by selecting the delete button. All existing advertisement placements associated with the advertisement will be deleted.


M. How are credit card payments for Judici Advertising Placements processed?   -   (return to top)

A credit card is required to submit an initial advertising and advertising placement. A payment will be authorized on your credit card for the amount of the advertising placements. Your credit card will not be billed unless advertisement associated with the advertising placement is approved. Payments for Advertisement Placements added to an already approved Advertisement will be billed immediately. The payment authorization will be voided for any advertisement placements made on advertisements that are denied for any reason and your credit card will not be billed.


N. How much does an advertisement cost?   -   (return to top)

The current cost, as of 10/05/09, is $10 per month placement for each advertisement run. For example:

* If you have a one month placement in one county, your total will be $10.
* If you have a two month placement in one county, your total cost will be $20.
* If you have a one month placement in two counties, your total cost will be $20.
* If you have a two month placement in two counties, your total cost will be $40.


5. Judici E-Filing
A. How can I tell what courts offer e-filing and how do I sign up?   -   (return to top)

[Permalink content]

The Participating Courts page indicates which courts offer e-filing.

To sign up, check out our Getting started page


6. Courtlook

B: Why do some of my documents now say [Impounded], [Sealed], or [Confidential] and no longer allow access?   -   (return to top)

Over the Labor Day weekend 2021, a Judici update was rolled out which, among other things, limits the access of attorneys of record to impounded, sealed and expunged documents. They can no longer see such documents, or their descriptions.

Why was this done? Under the Electronic Access Policy for Circuit Court Records of the Illinois Courts (effective in 2004) attorneys of record were allowed greater electronic access to their specific cases than the public, including document access. On this basis, Judici began allowing courts the option to offer attorneys of record document access over ten years ago.

When the Illinois Supreme Court Remote Access Policy (published by the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts) replaced the Electronic Access Policy, it too said that the attorney of record should be able to see everything:

    "User Group 2 - Attorney of Record or Party of Record All case information and documents contained in the Official Court Record in which the attorney is the Attorney of Record or the party is the party of record."

But it also contained the following provision:

    "Confidential Records - Expunged, impounded, sealed, or otherwise secured pursuant to Court Rule, Law, order, or policy. Confidential Records are excluded from Remote Access under this Policy and shall not be accessible through re:SearchIL or any other system providing Remote Access."

These contradictory broad provisions remain in the Remote Access Policy even today. But testing of a different remote access system, completed in the spring of 2021, indicated that that system did not allow the attorney of record to see Confidential Records. This indirectly made clear which of the conflicting provisions of the Remote Access Policy should govern.

Meanwhile, the state had made additional changes to the rules governing remote access systems, including restricting access to "non-record" documents and allowing access by licensed attorneys to public documents on some cases on which they aren't the attorney of record (https://www.judici.com/faq.jsp#faq_37). In the course of updating Judici to reflect the expanded access, we implemented the governing Confidential Records provision.

We apologize for the inconvenience; the rules governing remote access have evolved over time, and we felt we were in compliance with a long-held state position that the attorney of record should be able to see everything. But it now seems that is no longer true.