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How to Get a Police Report in Elgin, Illinois
Perhaps you recently got into a car accident or had your wallet nabbed at the Elgin Shopping Mall. Now you need a copy of a police report to document your loss or injury for the insurance company. Fortunately, the city of Elgin makes efficient customer service a priority for those seeking police records. On this page, we’ll tell you how to obtain your Elgin traffic crash or police report as quickly as possible.
Traffic Accident Reports
To request a traffic accident report in Elgin, you can do so in person or online. For in-person requests, contact the Elgin Police Department:
City of Elgin Police Department
150 Dexter Court
Elgin, IL 60120
847-931-5660A copy of the report is $5. To request a copy of an accident reconstruction investigation report, you will need to pay a $20 fee.
An online report is $11, and you can get one at the Buy Crash website. You must open an account, but you can get a copy of your accident report more quickly–within one to four business days after the crash. Docview will send you a notification by email or phone within 24 hours. Reports cannot be altered, and this ensures the integrity of your accident report.
Other Police Reports and Records
To obtain a police report other than a traffic accident report, you’ll need to make a request under Illinois’ Freedom of Information Act or FOIA. The Illinois FOIA statute gives people access to certain public information and shines a light on how the government operates.
You must make a FOIA request in writing, but it can be mailed or submitted online. To mail a request, send it to the Freedom of Information Act Officer for the city of Elgin:
Jennifer Quinton, Deputy Clerk
150 Dexter Court
Elgin IL 60120
If you have questions about the FOIA process, how to make a request, or how to access these records, you can also contact the FOIA office by phone at 847-931-5660 or by email at quinton_j@cityofelgin.org.
To make a request online, you will need to create an account and include information like your full name, phone number, and address, and a detailed description of the record you want. Be as specific as possible.
Under Illinois FOIA law, you should receive the information within five business days unless the city denies your request or asks for an extension. Some information may not be released if it meets an exemption under the FOIA. This includes personal identifying information that would be an invasion of privacy if released or things like commercial “trade secrets” such as bid prices in a contract.
Charges for information requested under the FOIA are based on the number of pages of information responsive to the request. For that reason, it is important to be as detailed as possible when requesting a police report or information. Basic charges for records under FOIA are:
| First fifty pages (black and white) | No charge |
| E-mailed materials | No charge |
| After fifty pages | $.10 each |
| Color copies | $.35 each |
| Plats/Blueprints | Actual cost of reproduction |
If your request is denied, or denied in part, you may ask for a review of the decision within 60 days. Send your request in writing to:
Public Access Counselor
Office of the Illinois Attorney General
Public Access & Opinion Bureau
500 S. Second Street
Springfield IL 62706
You must include a copy of your original request as well as any responses from the city.
Did you or a loved one get injured in an accident in Elgin, Illinois and do you need help obtaining a police report? The attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have been fighting for the rights of Illinois accident victims for decades. Contact us for a free consultation. We can help you get the clarity and peace of mind you need.