According to the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), the state records over 126,800 arrests each year, with 2,050 occurring in Whiteside County. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), most government records, including arrest records, are publicly accessible. State agencies provide the first 50 pages of standard black-and-white, letter or legal-sized copies at no cost. A fee not exceeding $0.15 per page applies to any additional copies requested.
However, certain arrest records, such as juvenile records, ongoing investigations, and those that may compromise public or individual safety, are not publicly accessible. Access to these records is typically restricted to authorized persons such as law enforcement officers, judicial officers, the State Attorney's Office, and persons named on the records or their legal representatives.
Arrest records in Whiteside County are maintained by multiple agencies, including the Sheriff's Office, local police departments, the Illinois State Police, and county courts.
The Sheriff's Office serves as the central repository for all reports and records generated by government agencies. Individuals seeking arrest records or related information may submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request form through the Sheriff's Office Public Records Portal. Alternatively, they may send a detailed written request to:
Records Division
200 E. Knox Street
Morrison, IL 61270
The Records Section may be reached at (815) 772-2151 for inquiries or assistance. Requests may also be faxed to (815) 772-2171. For information on individuals currently in custody, contact the jail at (815) 772-7010 ext. 3.
Local police departments manage arrest records within their respective jurisdictions, each maintaining its records with specific procedures for public access. To obtain arrest records, individuals may contact the records division of the relevant police department or visit its official website for guidance. Providing specific details such as the arrestee's full name, date of birth, and date of arrest may help facilitate the search process. Major police departments in the county include the following:
The Illinois State Police (ISP) provides access to criminal history records, including arrest records, for all Illinois counties, including Whiteside County. Access is facilitated through the Criminal History Information Response Process (CHIRP). This online search tool enables name-based inquiries for conviction information as authorized by the Uniform Conviction Information Act. Each CHIRP search requires the payment of a processing fee. Individuals seeking certified copies of records must submit a fingerprint-based request. Additionally, criminal history information may be requested by contacting the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification (BOI).
For court records related to arrests, the Circuit Clerk's Office provides public access to criminal, traffic, and civil case records. Individuals may request a record search by providing details such as the individual's name, years to be searched, and date of birth. A fee of $6.00 per name per year is charged for criminal history checks, payable via money order, certified check, or cashier's check to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Requests may be submitted by mail or in person at:
200 East Knox Street
Morrison, IL 61270
Phone: (815) 772-5188
In addition, persons interested in looking up Whiteside County arrest records may access them through reliable third-party websites like InfoTracer. These platforms typically provide a user-friendly search experience.
Whiteside County has a crime rate of 36.91 per 1,000 residents. Below are some arrest figures recorded in Whiteside County:
| Arrest Type | Number of Arrests |
|---|---|
| Simple Assault | 92 |
| Aggravated Assault | 34 |
| Theft | 177 |
| Burglary | 17 |
| Rape | 11 |
| Drug Violations | 17 |
| Total Number of Arrests | 2,056 |
Source: Crime in Illinois
It is situated in Whiteside county, Illinois with a total number of 0 employees - female, male officers and civilians. Whiteside County SO ORI (Originated Agency Identifier) number is IL0980000, it belongs to the East North Central division in the Midwest region with a region code of Region II.
| Department | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Albany Police Department | 101 N Lime St | (309) 887-4370 |
| Erie Police Department | 905 8th Ave | 309-659-2244 |
| Fulton Police Department | 415 11th Ave | 815-589-3617 |
| Morrison Police Department | 200 West Main Street | (815) 772-7650 |
| Prophetstown Police Department | 339 Washington St | 815-537-2387 |
| Rock Falls Police Department | 1013 7th Ave | 815-622-1140 |
| Sterling Police Department | 212 3rd Ave #3 | 815-632-6640 |