BENTON · PUBLIC-RECORDS TRANSPARENCY GRADE
B
16/24
Benton gets a B.
Fastest FOIA clock in the country with binding PAC opinions and mandatory statewide e-filing. PA 102-0237 blocks booking photos for non-violent suspects. Fast process; gated product.
Note: Statewide grade applies — no separate local grade yet computed for Benton.
COMPUTED 2026-07-30 15:34 UTC · SCORE 16/24
Live data · checked just now
IL AG (FOIA)
IL Courts
IDOC Inmate
STATUS LEGEND: LIVE = HTTP 200-399 · WARN = 4xx · DEAD = 5xx · PENDING = checker could not reach (may still be live in browser)
Sources checked
- → https://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/open-and-honest-government/pac/ [LIVE · HTTP 200 · 2026-07-30 15:27 UTC]
- → https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/ [LIVE · HTTP 200 · 2026-07-30 15:27 UTC]
- → https://idoc.illinois.gov/offender/inmatesearch.html [LIVE · HTTP 206 · 2026-07-30 15:27 UTC]
Method: Live source health verified against official government portals at the timestamp shown. Grade computed from a six-criterion rubric (records access, fees, turnaround, e-filing, mugshot policy, body-cam release). How we grade →
Live · FBI Most Wanted · IL Field Offices (Statewide)
Currently Wanted by the FBI
Active FBI cases from the IL field office (statewide). Data: api.fbi.gov, refreshed every 6 hours.
Source: FBI.gov · Wanted
Live · NCMEC Missing Children · IL
Children Missing From Illinois (Statewide)
Active Illinois cases from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (statewide feed). Refreshed every 6 hours.
Yolibeth Mejia (IL)
Jazmin Rivera (IL)
Payton Wittenbrink (IL)
Dustin Earlin (IL)
Alexys Dimond (IL)
Millie Moore (IL)
Source: NCMEC · National Center for Missing & Exploited Children · If you have information, call 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
Live · Updated Daily
Recent Illinois Court Cases
Most recent Illinois court filings indexed across districts and counties.
| Docket | Parties | Indexed |
|---|---|---|
| BANKRUPTCY 26-30680-mel | Aarron Douglas Jordan | 07/29/2026 |
| BANKRUPTCY 26-30681-mel | Torie Evette Nave | 07/29/2026 |
| BANKRUPTCY 26-40325-mel | Katherine Jane Herring | 07/29/2026 |
| BANKRUPTCY 26-30682-mel | Michael D Lindsey | 07/29/2026 |
| BANKRUPTCY 26-40326-mel | Patrick Kelly Young and Ronda Jean Young | 07/29/2026 |
| BANKRUPTCY 26-30683-mel | Ashley Michelle Cramer | 07/29/2026 |
| BANKRUPTCY 26-90474 | Melissa R McNary | 07/29/2026 |
| BANKRUPTCY 26-70733 | Aaron R Underwood | 07/29/2026 |
| CIVIL 1:26-cv-09035 | Brown v. Avlon Industries et al | 07/29/2026 |
| CIVIL 1:26-cv-09037 | Lun v. Godrej SON Holdings, Inc. et al | 07/29/2026 |
| BANKRUPTCY 26-80660 | Michael M. Pilat | 07/29/2026 |
| BANKRUPTCY 26-80661 | Margaret K. Osborn | 07/29/2026 |
Cited Answers · Verified Sources · County-level FAQ — applies to all of Franklin County
Common Questions
Answers verified against official agency websites and state statutes. Note: County-level FAQ — applies to all of Franklin County. No city-specific FAQ is available yet — the answers below apply to the broader jurisdiction.
Where can I find out why juveniles are not convicted but are instead found delinquent?▼
Juveniles in West Frankfort, IL (Franklin County) — and statewide — are 'adjudicated delinquent' rather than 'convicted' because juvenile court is rehabilitative, not punitive. Statute: Illinois Juvenile Court Act (705 ILCS 405, https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1644). Adjudication of delinquency means the court found the juvenile committed a delinquent act; this is not a criminal conviction and is generally confidential under 705 ILCS 405/1-7. Illinois courts: https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/courts/circuit-court/. Most juvenile records are sealed until automatic expungement. National context: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/). ABA Juvenile Justice (https://www.americanbar.org/) for procedural background. Illinois FOIA (5 ILCS 140) — juvenile records are largely exempt.
How do I look up property records in Decatur?▼
To look up property records in Decatur, IL (Macon County), contact the Macon County Recorder of Deeds at 141 South Main Street, Room 201, Decatur, IL 62523 (217-424-1359), with online searches at https://www.co.macon.il.us/. The Macon County Supervisor of Assessments at https://maconcounty.illinois.gov/departments/supervisor-of-assessments/ provides ownership, parcel, and assessed-value data. The City of Decatur Treasurer handles city property tax. Illinois Property Tax Code (35 ILCS 200) and IL FOIA (5 ILCS 140) make deeds and assessment data public. Recording fees are about $40 first page; certified copies typically cost $1.25-$5/page. Sources: Macon County (https://www.co.macon.il.us/), IL Department of Revenue (https://tax.illinois.gov/).
Where do I search court records in Dupage?▼
To search court records in DuPage County, IL, use the DuPage County Circuit Court Clerk at https://www.dupageco.org/courts/. Free name and case-number search returns DuPage County Circuit Court records (felony, misdemeanor, civil, family, probate, traffic, small claims). The Circuit Court Clerk is at 505 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187 (630-407-8700). Certified copies cost $9 plus $1/page. Illinois FOIA (5 ILCS 140) governs disclosure. Sealed/expunged records are excluded under 20 ILCS 2630/5.2. Sources: DuPage County (https://www.dupageco.org/courts/), DuPage Circuit Court (https://www.dupageco.org/courts/).
How do I look up a court case in Kankakee?▼
To look up a court case in Kankakee County, IL, use the Kankakee County Circuit Clerk at https://www.k3county.net/502 or the Re:SearchIL (Judici) at https://www.judici.com/ which covers Kankakee County. Free name and case-number search returns Kankakee County Circuit Court records (felony, misdemeanor, civil, family, probate, traffic, small claims). The Circuit Clerk is at 450 East Court Street, Kankakee, IL 60901 (815-937-2905). Certified copies cost $9 plus $1/page. Illinois FOIA (5 ILCS 140) governs disclosure. Sealed/expunged cases are excluded under 20 ILCS 2630/5.2. Sources: Kankakee County (https://www.k3county.net/), Judici (https://www.judici.com/).
How do I check if someone is in custody in Springfield?▼
To check if someone is in custody in Springfield, IL (Sangamon County), the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search at https://www.sangamoncountysheriff.com/ shows current detainees at the Sangamon County Jail. The Sheriff is at 1 Copley Plaza, Springfield, IL 62701 (217-753-6850). The Springfield Police Department at 800 E. Monroe Street (217-788-8311) handles city-level arrests. For state-prison inmates, the Illinois Department of Corrections inmate locator at https://idoc.illinois.gov/offender/inmatesearch.html shows current inmates. The Federal BOP locator at https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/ covers federal facilities. Illinois FOIA (5 ILCS 140) governs disclosure. Sources: Sangamon County Sheriff (https://www.sangamoncountysheriff.com/), IDOC (https://idoc.illinois.gov/).
Where can I find information regarding a hostage or suicide incident?▼
For information about a hostage or suicide incident in Summerfield, IL (Saint Clair County), contact the Saint Clair County Sheriff's Office at 700 N. 5th Street, Belleville, IL 62220 (618-825-4824), or the Illinois State Police if state police responded. Major incident reports are released under Illinois FOIA (5 ILCS 140) once the investigation closes; ongoing investigations may be exempt under §7(1)(c). Local newspaper archives (Belleville News-Democrat) often cover hostage and suicide incidents in detail. The Illinois Department of Public Health publishes annual suicide statistics. For mental health resources, call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline). Sources: Saint Clair County Sheriff (https://www.co.st-clair.il.us/), IL FOIA (https://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/open-and-honest-government/pac/).
📊 Public Data Sources for Benton, IL
Aggregated from federal agencies (DOJ, FBI, EPA, IRS, CFPB, HHS-OIG, FDIC, NPPES) and local arrest feeds. All sources public-domain.
🔎 Crime Data & Public Safety Sources
Direct lookups · Benton, IL · external links open in new tab
Official Crime Statistics & Registries
.GOVFBI Crime Data Explorer
Official UCR / NIBRS crime stats for IL
.GOVNSOPW (Sex Offender Registry)
DOJ — search all 50 state registries
.GOVBureau of Justice Statistics
DOJ's primary criminal-justice data agency
.GOVCDC WISQARS
Injury, violence & fatality stats by county
.GOVUS Marshals 15 Most Wanted
Federal fugitives
.GOVATF Most Wanted
Firearms, arson & explosives fugitives
Interactive Crime Maps
Federal Agency Lookups (IL)
.GOVEPA ECHO
Environmental violations & enforcement by facility
.GOVNPPES NPI Registry
Search healthcare providers in IL
.GOVFDIC BankFind
FDIC-insured banks in IL
.GOVCFPB Consumer Complaints
Financial-product complaints database
.GOVOFAC Sanctions Search
US Treasury sanctions list
.GOVSEC EDGAR
Public-company filings in IL
.GOVIRS Tax-Exempt Search
501(c)(3) nonprofit lookups
.GOVUS Census Bureau
Demographics & statistics for IL
📰 Recent Federal Law Enforcement News 8 items
Statewide (IL) — federal-news feed scoped to state
FBI-Springfield
FBI-Springfield
FBI-Springfield
FBI-Springfield
FBI-Springfield
FBI-Springfield
FBI-Springfield
FBI-Springfield
🏥 Healthcare Providers (NPPES) 8
City of Benton, IL
| Name | City |
|---|---|
| FRANKLIN HOSPITAL DISTRICT | BENTON |
| JOHN HARTMAN | BENTON |
| FRANKLIN HOSPITAL DISTRICT | BENTON |
| CROSSROADS PHYSICIAN CORP | BENTON |
| HEALTH PLAN OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS, INC. | BENTON |
| ROBERT HITT | BENTON |
| SAEED KHAN | BENTON |
| MELISSA MEYERS | BENTON |
🏭 EPA Regulated Facilities 8
| Facility | City |
|---|---|
| CIRCLE K 1223 | BENTON |
| ILL DEPT OF TRANSPORTATIN | BENTON |
| FERGUSON CONTRACTING LLC | BENTON |
| 78656 I-57 FRANKLIN COUNTY | BENTON |
| DOLLAR GENERAL STORE 7968 | BENTON |
| U.S. COURTHOUSE | BENTON |
| CALIBER COLLISION CENTER BENTON 2587 | BENTON |
| JUMPIN JIMMYS 55 | BENTON |
💰 CFPB Consumer Complaints 6
Statewide (IL) — CFPB data not available below state level
| Date | Company | Issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-21 | TRANSUNION INTERMEDIAT | Incorrect information on your report |
| 2026-05-21 | TRANSUNION INTERMEDIAT | Improper use of your report |
| 2026-05-21 | TRANSUNION INTERMEDIAT | Problem with a company's investigati |
| 2026-05-21 | Kriya Capital, LLC | Attempts to collect debt not owed |
| 2026-05-21 | TRANSUNION INTERMEDIAT | Getting a credit card |
| 2026-05-21 | ALLY FINANCIAL INC. | Improper use of your report |
⛔ HHS-OIG Excluded Individuals 8
City of Benton, IL
| Name | Type |
|---|---|
| HEALTH PLAN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS, | 1128a1 |
| MERCY REGIONAL HEALTH SYSTEMS, | 1128a1 |
| MARILYN CARROLL | 1128b4 |
| KRISTIE COX | 1128a2 |
| JAMES DURHAM | 1128a1 |
| NICOLE HOUSE | 1128b4 |
| PRESTON MCCLERREN | 1128a3 |
| CHRISTINE THOLEN | 1128b4 |
🎗 IRS Tax-Exempt Nonprofits 8
City of Benton, IL
🏦 FDIC-Insured Banks 1
| Bank | City |
|---|---|
| State Bank of Whittington | Benton |
🏛️ Latest Government Feeds 12
Direct from IL state + federal sources · no aggregators
doj_news
Felon Sentenced to More Than Two and a Half Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing Handgun in Chicago After Being Released on Bond in State Court for Prior Violent Offense
Jul 29, 2026
doj_news
Suburban Chicago Man Sentenced to Six Months in Federal Prison for Sending Threatening Letters to Two Federal Judges
Jul 29, 2026
doj_news
Convicted Sex Offender Receives an Additional 48 Month Sentence for Possession of Contraband in Prison
Jul 27, 2026
doj_news
United States Attorney Weinhoeft Announces Federal Court Victory Over Unconstitutional Illinois Sanctuary State Policy
Jul 24, 2026
doj_news
Cartel Member Who Trafficked Victims From Mexico to Chicagoland Into Forced Labor Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison
Jul 24, 2026
doj_news
Winnebago County Woman Who Embezzled Funds From a Booster Club Sentenced to Six Months in Federal Prison and Ordered To Pay Full Restitution
Jul 23, 2026
doj_news
Employee Who Fraudulently Embezzled Approximately $4 Million From Big Ten Network Sentenced 28 Months in Prison and Ordered To Repay Funds
Jul 22, 2026
doj_news
Five-Week Trial Results in Federal Jury Convicting Three Members of Violent Robbery Crew Responsible for Robbing or Attempting To Rob 14 Stores and Bars in Chicago
Jul 22, 2026
doj_news
Federal Jury in Chicago Convicts Woman of Assaulting United States Postal Carrier After Two-Day Trial
Jul 21, 2026
doj_news
Member of 10-Person Robbery Crew Targeting Chicago Suburbs Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison
Jul 21, 2026
Federal Agency
FTC and States Act Against Hims & Hers for Deceptive and Unlawful Privacy Practices
Jul 29, 2026
Sources: state appellate courts, state AGs, DOJ, SEC, FTC, FDA, DOL, Federal Reserve, OCC, and more. Direct from .gov — never aggregated.
Recent News in Benton
Public-safety and law-enforcement headlines relevant to this area.
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Illinois Democrats’ single-party rule and diminished GOP may shield Springfield from Benton scandal reforms
A monthslong Tribune investigation into Benton found that Welch’s office first knew about highly questionable behavior by the lawmaker in 2023. That’s when a young Benton staffer f…
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Records reveal why Benton mayor sought ISP investigation against fire chief
Records released through the Illinois Freedom of Information Act provide the first detailed public account of why Benton officials asked Illinois State Police to investigate Fire C…
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Illinois quick hits: Benton's replacement chosen; gas prices resume climb
Benton's replacement chosen. Jessica Dixon Heitman was chosen unanimously to replace former state Rep. Harry Benton, D-Plainfield, in the 97th House District early Monday evening .…
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Pritzker says Illinois ethics panel should release Harry Benton harassment report amid Welch office scrutiny
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s call for the report’s release came as the Illinois House Democratic majority, particularly women within the caucus, deliberated details revealed in a Tr…
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Gov. JB Pritzker supports release of investigation into former Illinois state Rep. Harry Benton
The Illinois Legislative Ethics Commission on Thursday will decide whether to release a report that led to the resignation of state Rep. Harry Benton (D-Plainfield) over reported a…
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Illinois Legislative Ethics Commission votes to unseal report on probe of former Rep. Harry Benton
The Illinois Legislative Ethics Commission voted on Thursday to publish a report outlining details of the investigation that led to state Rep. Harry Benton (D-Chicago) to resign hi…
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Benton case reopens questions about reform
For the political crowd, we’ve got plenty to talk about, too From the report: The Tribune reported Friday that a young Benton staffer brought sexual harassment concerns to House De…
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Illinois Quick Hits: Benton pulls name from ballot after resignation
Plainfield, who resigned from his seat in the Illinois House of Representatives at the start of this month following investigations into ...