Privacy Policy

This page lays out what data we collect when you visit our St. Clair County Court Records site, how we use it, and when it might be shared with others. Using any page on this website means you accept the practices described here.

Data You Give Us Directly

Search Queries

When you type a name or location into one of the search tools on our site, that input goes straight to the third-party provider that runs the search. They process it and return results. We do not store or log the search terms you enter on our end.

Messages and Contact Submissions

If you send us an email or fill out a contact form, we keep that message so we can reply. Your message stays within our team. We will not share it with anyone outside our organization unless a legal obligation requires it.


Data We Gather Automatically

Every time a page on this site loads, our servers pick up some technical details about the visit:

  • The IP address assigned to your device
  • Which browser you are using and its version
  • Your device type and operating system
  • The pages you visited and how long you stayed on each
  • The site that sent you here, if any
  • Timestamps for each page view

Cookies

We use cookies on this site. These are small files stored on your device that let us see how visitors use the site, which pages get the most traffic, and where people tend to drop off. Your browser settings let you block cookies whenever you want. Some parts of the site may behave differently if you do.


What We Do With This Data

  • Keeping the site up, running, and loading quickly
  • Sending your search requests to the right partner service
  • Figuring out which pages people find useful and which need work
  • Tracking down and fixing technical issues
  • Showing ads that may line up with your interests

Links to Other Websites

Throughout the site we link to court portals, government agency pages, legal aid groups, and third-party search tools. Clicking any of those links takes you off our site. At that point, their privacy policy governs your visit. Read it before sharing any personal details.

Certain advertising partners may track your activity across sites to show targeted ads. That tracking runs on their systems, not ours.


Who Might See Your Data

We do not sell personal data. Some information may end up with:

  • Search partners that handle queries you run on our site
  • Analytics services we use to track traffic and performance
  • Ad networks that place ads on our pages
  • Law enforcement or government bodies when a valid legal order requires it

How We Protect Your Data

We follow standard security practices to safeguard the data we collect, consistent with the Illinois Personal Information Protection Act (815 ILCS 530). If a data breach affects personal information we hold, we will notify affected users as required by that statute. Nothing connected to the internet is bulletproof, and we cannot promise a breach will never happen, but we will follow Illinois notification rules if one does.


Biometric Information

We do not collect, store, or process biometric identifiers or biometric information as defined by the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (740 ILCS 14). The search tools on this site take typed text, not fingerprints, voiceprints, retina scans, or face geometry.


Public Records and Illinois FOIA

This site is not subject to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), which applies to public bodies. The court and government records we point to are governed by Illinois FOIA at the source. If you want to request a public record from a St. Clair County office, contact that office directly. We list addresses, phone numbers, and email contacts on our Contact page.


Users Under 18

This site is meant for adults. We do not knowingly gather personal information from anyone under 18. If you think a minor has shared data with us, reach out and we'll delete it right away.


Your Data Rights

  • Ask for a copy of what we have on file about you
  • Have us fix information that is wrong
  • Request that we erase your data
  • Opt out of certain kinds of data processing

Updates to This Policy

We may change this privacy policy down the road. When we do, the updated version goes up on this page with a new effective date. Check back if you want to keep tabs on how we handle your information.