Hazel Crest, Illinois Public Records

The Illinois Freedom of Information Act governs the entire process, balancing public access to government records against the need to protect individual privacy. This legal framework determines what information becomes available and under what circumstances.

You'll need a valid Illinois driver's license or state ID to complete registration. The deadline falls 16 days before any election for online and mail registration, though grace period registration remains available on Election Day at designated locations. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and residents of their precinct for at least 30 days before the election. Municipal elections for Mayor and Village Trustees follow a four-year cycle in consolidated election years, with the next one scheduled for April 1, 2025. The city elects a mayor and six trustees, staggering the terms so three trustee positions appear on the ballot every two years. Candidates file nominating petitions with the Village Clerk, and information about local candidates and ballot questions becomes available through Village Hall and the Cook County Clerk's election website. Residents can find their assigned polling location by visiting cookcountyclerk.com/pollfinder or calling 312-603-0906—just enter your address to receive polling place location, hours (typically 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM), and sample ballot information. Illinois maintains extensive public election records: voter registration lists (without birth dates or driver's license numbers) are available for purchase for political purposes, campaign finance disclosure reports are searchable through the Illinois State Board of Elections at elections.il.gov for state and county candidates and through the Cook County Clerk for local candidates, candidate filing information and petitions are public, and precinct-level election results are published after certification. Cook County reported approximately 71% voter turnout among registered voters in the November 2024 presidential election, with over 2.8 million votes cast countywide. For the November 3, 2026 general election, voters in the area will decide several significant races: the Illinois gubernatorial election (Governor J.B. Pritzker's term expires in 2027, so the 2026 race will determine his successor or re-election), all 118 seats in the Illinois House of Representatives, approximately 20 Illinois Senate seats (on staggered terms), Cook County Board of Commissioners seats for certain districts, the Cook County Assessor position, Cook County Clerk, and various judicial retention votes and potential county referenda. The U.S. Senate seat currently held by Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth will also be on the 2026 ballot, as her term expires in January 2027. Illinois offers multiple options for voting by mail (absentee voting): any registered voter may request a mail-in ballot without providing a reason by applying through the Cook County Clerk's website, by mail, or in person; applications must be received by the Thursday before Election Day (five days prior) for mail delivery, though in-person requests at the Cook County Clerk's office can be made through the day before Election Day. Early voting is available at the Cook County Administration Building and multiple suburban locations beginning 40 days before Election Day. Grace period registration and voting is available for new or updating voters from 16 days before through Election Day at designated sites including the Cook County Clerk's office and suburban early voting locations.