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Are building permits public record in Illinois?
Yes. Building permits issued in Illinois are public records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140). Many cities, including Chicago, also publish them as free open data that anyone can download and search.
By Matt K, Founder & CEO, PermitWire · Updated November 11, 2026
What a Illinois permit record includes
Records usually show the address, permit type, a description of the work, the declared project value, the issue date and often the contractor of record. Owner names and phone numbers are often redacted or left out of open-data feeds.
Using Illinois permit records for sales
Contractors may use public permit records to find projects. Mail and door-to-door outreach are the simplest routes. For calls and texts, check the National Do Not Call Registry and federal TCPA rules, and get consent before any automated text.
PermitWire cities in Illinois
- Chicago, IL building permits (200 in the latest run) · official source
This page is general information, not legal advice.