Macon County, Illinois court records are available through several channels. MaconCourt.us allows you to search for public information on court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be viewed through official county court resources, directly at the Circuit Clerk's office, and on public terminals in the Macon County Courthouse building in Decatur.
Macon Court System & Jurisdictions
In Illinois, there are no separate district or magistrate courts at the county level. All first-instance cases are heard by the Circuit Court, the only court of general jurisdiction. Macon County is part of the Sixth Judicial Circuit.
The Macon County Circuit Court handles a wide range of cases:
- Criminal Cases — felonies and misdemeanors.
- Civil Cases — large civil lawsuits, small claims (up to $10,000).
- Family Law — divorce, child support, child custody. Standardized forms are available on the Illinois Courts website.
- Probate Cases — wills, estate management, guardianship.
- Traffic Violations — fines, license suspensions, DUI.
Divorce cases are registered with the Circuit Clerk, not the State Department of Health — IDPH does not issue certified copies of such documents.
If you are unsure which court division your case belongs to, call the office at (217) 624-4350.
Macon Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The court schedule for today, tomorrow, or the current week can be found in several ways.
- Court page on the state website. The Macon County Courthouse page contains links to hearing calendars, audio recordings of oral arguments, and local court rules.
- Circuit Clerk's Office. The current daily schedule is available directly at the office at 253 East Wood Street, Decatur. Office hours: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.
- Phone inquiry. Call the court office — the operator will confirm the date, time, and courtroom for a specific case.
Note: The schedule may change due to case rescheduling or judge's decisions. Check the information as close to the hearing date as possible.
How to Get a Copy of a Macon Court Document
Copies of court documents are issued by the Circuit Clerk's office. There are two types of copies:
- Uncertified Copy — a regular photocopy of a document from the case materials. Suitable for review.
- Certified Copy — contains the official stamp and signature of the clerk. Required for submission to another court, government agency, or employer.
How to Obtain a Copy
- In person. Visit the Circuit Clerk's office in the courthouse. You will need the case number or the full name of the party and the approximate filing date. Copies are usually made the same day.
- By mail. Send a written request specifying the case number, document type, and number of copies. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
- FOIA Request. For some public records stored in other county departments, you can submit a request under the Freedom of Information Act.
Mailing address for requests:
Some records are restricted in access: juvenile cases, sealed and expunged criminal cases are not issued to the general public. Information on sealing and expungement procedures can be found on the Office of the State Appellate Defender website.
Macon Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for copying and certifying court documents in the Circuit Court are regulated by Illinois state law (705 ILCS 105/27.2a). Below are approximate rates — we recommend confirming exact amounts with the office, as they may be updated periodically.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Document copy (per page) | $0.50 – $2.00 |
| Copy certification | $5.00 – $10.00 per document |
| Record search | A separate fee may be charged |
| Copy of court judgment/order | Depends on the number of pages |
Payment Methods
- Cash — accepted at the office.
- Check or money order — made payable to "Macon County Circuit Clerk."
- Credit/debit card — confirm availability when contacting, as some offices charge an additional processing fee for card transactions.
For mail requests, include a prepaid envelope with a return address if you wish to receive copies back. The office usually processes mail requests within a few business days. If you need a state-level criminal history report, contact the Illinois State Police — this is a separate procedure with its own fees.