What are Illinois Bankruptcy Records?

In the state of Illinois, bankruptcy records are official documents that contain detailed financial information and other related information on individuals and companies that file for bankruptcy under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Illinois bankruptcy courts are federal courts that have exclusive jurisdiction over all bankruptcy filings in the state. These courts also create, maintain, and disseminate publicly available bankruptcy records in Illinois. Also, members of the public can obtain bankruptcy records from third-party sites like Illinois.CourtRecords.us.

What do Illinois Bankruptcy Records Contain?

Generally, the information contained in Illinois bankruptcy records varies with the individual or company involved. However, typical information contained in bankruptcy records includes:

• Gross income
• Sources of income
• Value of Assets
• Bank accounts statements
• Tax transcripts
• Mortgage statements
• Vehicle documentation, proof of value & insurance records
• Stocks & related investments
• Real estate properties owned
• Businesses owned
• Creditors' information
• Creditors' claims
• Date of filing
• Alimony, Child support order (if applicable)
• A marital settlement agreement (if applicable)

Are Bankruptcy Records Public Information?

Unless sealed by court order, bankruptcy records are public information. However, the court redacts certain information on open bankruptcy records to protect sensitive information about the filer. These include the filer's social security number and financial account numbers. Likewise, the names of minors may be redacted or recorded as initials.

Records that are considered public may be accessible from some third-party websites. These websites often make searching simpler, as they are not limited by geographic location, and search engines on these sites may help when starting a search for a specific or multiple records. To begin using such a search engine on a third-party or government website, interested parties usually must provide:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the record or person involved. This includes information such as the city, county, or state that person resides in or was accused in.

Third-party sites are independent from government sources, and are not sponsored by these government agencies. Because of this, record availability on third-party sites may vary.

How to Get Illinois Bankruptcy Records

Unlike most public court records, bankruptcy records are not available at the office of the local clerk of courts or county clerk. Interested parties can access and obtain bankruptcy records from the Illinois bankruptcy courts online, in person, or by mail request.

Querying the courts' online case management system is the most convenient means of getting bankruptcy records filed after 1998 in Illinois. This method allows the requester to remotely access electronic case information, including scanned documents of bankruptcy records. To obtain bankruptcy records online:

• Visit the court's PACER system website and create a PACER account.
• Select the specific district where the bankruptcy was filed. 
• Log in and querying the Case Information System using the filer's name, case number, or docket number.

However, requesters cannot obtain older bankruptcy records filed before 1998 online. Therefore, the requester must contact the Federal Records Center (FRC) in person or by mail to request such documents. In this case, the requester must be able to provide FRC Accession Number, FRC Location Number, Box Number, Case File Number, and Case File Name. Direct requests to:

Federal Records Center (FRC)
7358 South Pulaski Road
Chicago, IL 60629-5898
Phone: (773) 948-9000
Fax: (773) 948-9010

Concerning in-person requests, the requester must go to the bankruptcy court where the case was filed during regular business hours. Documents are accessible on the court's public service computers. Searchers may also obtain physical copies at the courthouse for a fee. Likewise, the requester may send a written request in a self-addressed stamped envelope to the bankruptcy court where the case was filed. To facilitate the search, mail requests must contain identifying information on the case. Otherwise, such requests are not honored.

How much does it cost to access Bankruptcy Records in Illinois?

According to 28 U.S. C § 1930, Illinois bankruptcy courts charge an access fee of $0.10 per page for electronic public access. Photocopying or reproducing any document costs $0.50 per page, while certification of any document costs $11.00 per page. However, requesters must consult the complete fee schedule for accessing records at the Northern District Bankruptcy Court, Central District Bankruptcy Court, and the Southern District Bankruptcy Court. Depending on the method of obtaining the record and the specific court, access fees are payable via cash, certified check, money orders, credit, or debit card.

Locations of Bankruptcy Courts in Illinois

Bankruptcy courts in Illinois are divided into three districts with divisions in each region. Following is a list of the location and contact information of bankruptcy courts in Illinois:

U.S. Bankruptcy Court – Eastern Division (Northern District)
219 South Dearborn
Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: (312) 408-5000

US Bankruptcy Court – Western Division (Northern District)
327 South Church Street
Rockford, IL 61101
Phone: (815) 987-4350

US Bankruptcy Court – (Northern District)
Joliet City Hall
150 West Jefferson Street, 2nd Floor
Joliet, Illinois 60432

US Bankruptcy Court – (Northern District)
Park City Branch Court, Courtroom B
301 S. Greenleaf Avenue,
Park City, Illinois 60085

US Bankruptcy Court – (Northern District)
Kane County Courthouse
100 South Third Street
Room 240
Geneva, IL 60134

U.S. Bankruptcy Court – Central District of Illinois (Peoria)
100 North East, Monroe Street, Room 216
Peoria IL 61602
Phone: 309-671-7035
Fax: 309-671-7076
Email: Copywork_Peo@ilcb.uscourts.gov

U.S. Bankruptcy Court – Central District of Illinois (Springfield)
600 East, Monroe Street, Room 226
Springfield IL 62701
Phone: (217) 492-4551
Fax: (217) 492-4556
Email: Copywork_Spr@ilcb.uscourts.gov

U.S. Bankruptcy Court – Central District of Illinois
201 South Vine Street, Room 203
Urbana, IL 61802
Phone: (217) 974-7330
Email: Copywork_Urb@ilcb.uscourts.gov

United States Bankruptcy Court – Southern District of Illinois (East St. Louis)
Melvin Price Federal Courthouse
750 Missouri Avenue
East St. Louis, IL 62201
Phone: (618) 482-9400

United States Bankruptcy Court – Southern District of Illinois (Benton)
Federal Courthouse
301 West Main Street
Benton, IL 62812
Phone: (618) 435-2200

How do I Find Out if My Bankruptcy Case is closed in Illinois?

Residents of Illinois who filed for bankruptcy after 1998 can track the status of their bankruptcy case by logging into their PACER account and checking their dashboard. The filer may also visit the specific courthouse to inquire about the state of their bankruptcy case.

Can a Bankruptcy Record be Expunged in Illinois?

A bankruptcy filing remains on the individual or company credit report for up to 10 years, and bankruptcy records are public records for life. Although the filer may petition the presiding judge to expunge the bankruptcy case, the court seldom grants such petitions. This is because the U.S. Bankruptcy Code does not explicitly give judges the authority to expunge bankruptcy cases.

However, under the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, the court may withhold certain commercial information, scandalous or defamatory information, and information that may create an undue risk of identity theft or other injuries to the filer.