McHenry County
Located in northeastern Illinois, McHenry County was organized in 1836. The county was named in honor of Major Willian McHenry, a member of the state's Militia who later became a House of Representatives and Senate member. At least 311,000 people call McHenry County home.
Illinois' 22nd Judicial Circuit is comprised solely of McHenry County, handling limited and general jurisdiction matters. Generally, the county's Circuit Court, through eight elected judges, hears major civil, felony, juvenile, and family cases. Similarly, 10 appointed judges handle cases involving ordinance, minor civil, misdemeanor, protection orders, and traffic matters. Probate matters are also heard by the McHenry Circuit Court.
Public court records in McHenry County are records of proceedings generated or gathered from the county's Circuit Court, and they are usually accessible to the public unless sealed. The Circuit Court Clerk is responsible for preserving all records, physical or digital, of legal proceedings in the county. Interested individuals can visit the McHenry County Circuit Court Clerk's Office to obtain, in person, records of law actions such as family law, civil, traffic, criminal, and probate cases filed and heard in the county.
The McHenry County Circuit Court Clerk's Office manages a Case Search System that provides online public access to court records. Requesters can also request certified copies of the county's public court records by mail or email. In addition, publicly available court records can be viewed at public viewing terminals located at the county's Judicial Center in Woodstock.
