Perhaps a car sideswiped you on US Route 20, causing damage to your vehicle and hurting a passenger. Or maybe you got hurt returning from dropping someone at the airport. Now you need to get a copy of your Rockford police report for insurance purposes. What steps do you have to take? How can you make this process efficient? Below, we’ve outlined how to get your reports as quickly as possible so that you can regain a sense of control.
How to Obtain a Rockford Accident Report
The Rockford Police Department’s Records Center offers three ways to obtain an accident report: in person, by mail, or online. If you have questions, contact the Records Division at (779) 500-6451, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm.
In Person
Visit the Rockford Police Department’s Records Center:
District 3 Headquarters
557 S. New Towne Drive
Rockford, IL 61108
U.S. Mail
Mail your request form to:
ATTN: RECORDS CENTER DIVISION
Rockford Police Department, Records Center Division
District 3 Headquarters
557 S. New Towne Drive
Rockford, IL 61108
To avoid processing delays, include payment for the records when you mail your request. There is a $5 fee per copy, which can be paid by debit or credit card or by check. Checks should be made payable to the City of Rockford. Copies of accident reports made through the Records Center are available ten working days after the crash is reported.
Online
Accident reports can also be requested online 24 hours per day, seven days a week, via the LexisNexis Police Reports website. To retrieve your report online, enter the state (Illinois) and jurisdiction (Rockford Police Department). You also must provide one of the following: report number, last name, incident date, or last name and street.
There is a $13 fee per report, which you can pay by debit or credit card. Reports are generally available within 24 hours of the completion of the accident report.
How to Obtain Other Rockford Police Reports
If you need to obtain Rockford police reports or public records other than an accident report, you should complete a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) form. These forms are available in person at the Records Center or online.
Information to Include in Your Request
In your request, describe the reports you wish to inspect or copy and the purpose for requesting the records. You should also specify the method of delivery—email, fax, mail, or in-person. Finally, include your name, address, phone number, and email address.
The City will not mail copies of the records unless you demonstrate that it would be burdensome for you to receive the records via email or pick them up in person. You will be required to pay the cost of postage in advance if you receive records via mail.
The first 50 black and white pages are free. Any additional pages are $.15 per page.
FOIA Email Submissions
The City of Rockford has precise instructions about submitting a FOIA request via email. You should review the directions carefully to ensure your submission meets the necessary criteria, including software requirements. In sum, you need to do the following:
- Complete the FOIA Request Form.
- Save the FOIA Request Form.
- Print a copy of the Request for your records.
- Click the “Send Form” button on the last page of the saved form. This will attach the form to an email message and automatically fill in the name of the email recipient.
- Email the saved FOIA Request Form to the City of Rockford using the emails noted in the form.
In-Person FOIA Submission
Instead of email, you may drop off a completed FOIA Request Form in person at any department at City Hall, 425 East State Street, Rockford, Illinois 61104.
Criminal History Records
To obtain criminal records from incidents in Rockford, you can submit a FOIA request using the procedures outlined above. However, if you want a statewide criminal history, you can obtain those records through the Illinois State Police (ISP) using name-based or fingerprint-based inquiries.
Name-based inquiries may be completed online through the Criminal History Information Resource Process (CHIRP). Fees vary widely depending on the information you request. Requesting criminal history records can be nuanced, and it may be best to speak directly with the ISP at (815) 740-5160 to ensure you are requesting and receiving the records you need.
If you need assistance obtaining a police or accident report, or if you have been involved in an automobile accident or injured due to another person’s negligence, contact the experienced attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers for a free case evaluation.
