Reviewed and updated October 9, 2026 by the SearchSystems.net editorial team. The arrest and crime counts are the ones each agency reported to the FBI, as the FBI held them on October 8, 2026. Every office link was opened and checked against the office's own site between September 23, 2026 and September 25, 2026.
Canton, Illinois, in Fulton County, has about 13,000 residents (2024 Census Bureau estimate). A police report belongs to the agency whose officer wrote it, so which office holds a report from Canton depends on where the incident happened. This guide names each agency, where its records page is and what the Illinois Freedom of Information Act requires of it.
This guide covers which agency, the city's records page, the sheriff's reports, what the law requires and common questions.
Related guides: Canton public records, Fulton County police reports, Canton arrest records, Canton warrants, Canton inmate search, Canton criminal records, Illinois arrest records and Illinois inmate search.
Which Agency Holds a Report from Canton
The report of an incident is released by the agency that took it; the court and the jail hold their own records of the same event, but not the report.
Inside Canton that is the agency that reports to the FBI for the city (filed by the FBI as Canton Police Department); outside it, the Fulton County Sheriff's Office.
Reports from the Canton Police
For Canton, SearchSystems opened and checked the Canton police department's page at cantonillinois.org/city-of-canton/departments/police (page title: Police Department | City of Canton), phone (309) 647-0065, 48 N. Main St. Canton, IL 61520, Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm, which answered when SearchSystems opened it on September 25, 2026.
The agency that reports for Canton had 41 violent and 196 property crimes reported for 2025 and reported 420 arrests for 2025.
Reports from the Fulton County Sheriff's Office
The Fulton County Sheriff's Office is the county agency; it reported 0 arrests for 2020.
Its reports come from its records unit, reached through the office at (309) 547-2277. The office's page SearchSystems verified is its jail page, at fultoncountyil.gov/officials/elected/the-county-police (page title: Fulton County Sheriff | Fulton County), phone (309) 547-2277, 268 W. Washington Ave., P.O. Box 269, Lewistown, IL 61542, which answered when SearchSystems opened it on September 23, 2026.
What the Illinois Freedom of Information Act Requires
Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act the agency must answer a request within 5 business days, with one 5-day extension, and it may charge copying only after the first 50 pages. The request goes to the agency that holds the report, in writing, and does not have to say why the report is wanted.
Any other county record goes through the county records request page SearchSystems verified, at fultoncountyil.gov/officials/elected/county-clerk/foia-county-clerk (page title: FOIA- County Clerk | Fulton County).
A defendant who has been charged gets the report through the case: the State's Attorney, (309) 547-3041, handles discovery for pending cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a police report in Canton?
From the agency that took it. The Canton police department's page is at cantonillinois.org, phone (309) 647-0065; the sheriff's reports come from the Fulton County Sheriff's Office.
How long does an agency in Canton have to answer?
Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, within 5 business days, with one 5-day extension. It may charge copying only after the first 50 pages.
How do I get a report from the Fulton County Sheriff's Office?
From its records unit, reached through the office at (309) 547-2277. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act the answer is due within 5 business days, with one 5-day extension.
Is this the official Canton website?
No. SearchSystems.net is an independent public records guide, online since 1997. It links to the official city, county, court and state offices described above and does not hold records, charge for them or take requests.