Lake County Traffic Court Records
Lake County traffic court records are managed by the Circuit Clerk in Waukegan through the 19th Judicial Circuit. More than 714,000 people live in Lake County, making it one of the most active court systems in the state for traffic cases. You can search Lake County traffic court records online using the public portal, pay fines, and check your court dates. The main courthouse at 18 N. County Street in Waukegan handles all traffic filings. Looking up your traffic court records in Lake County takes just a few minutes if you have your name or case number ready.
Lake County Quick Facts
Lake County Circuit Clerk Office
The Lake County Circuit Clerk is the official keeper of all traffic court records in Lake County. Erin Cartwright Weinstein serves as Circuit Clerk. The main office is at 18 N. County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085. You can call (847) 377-3380 for general questions.
For traffic and criminal cases in Lake County, call the Criminal/Traffic Division at (847) 377-3250. The Civil/General Division line is (847) 377-3209. The Records Division can be reached at (847) 377-3211. You can also email CircuitClerk@Lakecountyil.gov with questions about Lake County traffic court records.
The Lake County Circuit Clerk homepage provides links to all court services and online tools for traffic records.
Lake County traffic court records include all filings for moving violations, speeding tickets, DUI charges, and other traffic offenses handled by the 19th Judicial Circuit.
| Main Office | 18 N. County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085 Phone: (847) 377-3380 |
|---|---|
| Traffic/Criminal | Phone: (847) 377-3250 |
| Records Division | Phone: (847) 377-3211 |
| Clerk | Erin Cartwright Weinstein |
Search Lake County Traffic Records Online
The Lake County Public Portal is the main tool for finding traffic court records in Lake County. This site provides access to civil, criminal, and traffic public records of the 19th Judicial Circuit Court. The court record summaries viewed here are all public records under Illinois open records law.
You can view the Lake County Public Portal below. Registration may be required to access some case details.
You can search by name, case number, or citation. The portal shows case status, hearing dates, and charges. You can also pay fines and fees online. Keep in mind the online data is a summary. Under 55 ILCS 5/4-2001, the Circuit Clerk maintains the official records, but what you see online is not the certified record of the court.
The 19th Judicial Circuit Court website has more information about how Lake County traffic court works, including schedules and procedures.
Note: Sealed, impounded, and expunged cases are not available through the public portal for Lake County traffic court records.
Lake County Traffic Ticket Options
When you get a traffic ticket in Lake County, check the bottom of the ticket. It tells you if you need to go to court. If no appearance is required, you can pay online or by mail. Under 625 ILCS 5/, the Illinois Vehicle Code sets which violations need a court appearance.
Most minor traffic violations in Lake County give you three options. You can plead guilty and pay the fine. You can plead guilty, pay, and do traffic school to avoid a conviction. Or you can plead not guilty and ask for a hearing. Serious offenses like DUI and reckless driving in Lake County always require a court date.
Court supervision for Lake County traffic cases follows 730 ILCS 5/5-6-1. You cannot have had supervision in the last 12 months. You must be 18 or older. The judge decides if supervision is right for your case.
Traffic Court Fees in Lake County
Fines for traffic cases in Lake County vary by violation type. The 705 ILCS 135/ Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act controls the fee structure. Minor traffic tickets in Lake County usually cost between $120 and $250 with all costs and assessments added in. More serious charges carry higher fines.
You can pay Lake County traffic fines through the public portal online. In person, go to the clerk's office at 18 N. County Street in Waukegan. Cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards are accepted. The portal also lets you see how much you owe before you pay.
Cities in Lake County
Lake County has several cities and towns. All traffic cases go through the Lake County Circuit Court in Waukegan. Your case will be at the main courthouse no matter which city in Lake County issued the ticket.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Lake County. If your traffic stop was near a county line, make sure you know which county issued the ticket. You need to search in the right county.