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.
Lincoln, Illinois, in Logan 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 Lincoln 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: Lincoln public records, Logan County police reports, Lincoln arrest records, Lincoln property records, Illinois arrest records and Illinois inmate search.
Which Agency Holds a Report from Lincoln
A crime, incident or collision report belongs to the agency whose officer wrote it, and that agency releases it, not the court, the jail or the prosecutor.
Inside Lincoln that is the agency that reports to the FBI for the city (filed by the FBI as Lincoln Police Department); outside it, the Logan County Sheriff's Office.
The San Jose Police Department is listed by the FBI across two counties including Logan County, so its arrests are not broken out for Logan County here.
Reports from the Lincoln Police
For Lincoln, SearchSystems opened and checked the Lincoln police department's page at lincolnil.gov/freedom-of-information-act-police (page title: Freedom of Information Act Police | City of Lincoln | Lincoln, IL), phone (217)735-2815, 500 S. 2nd Street Springfield, IL 62706, which answered when SearchSystems opened it on September 25, 2026.
The agency that reports for Lincoln had 38 violent and 325 property crimes reported for 2025 and reported 452 arrests for 2025.
Reports from the Logan County Sheriff's Office
The Logan County Sheriff's Office is the county agency; it had 16 violent and 88 property crimes reported for 2025 and reported 104 arrests for 2025.
Its reports come from its records unit.
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.
A defendant who has been charged gets the report through the case: the State's Attorney, (217) 732-2184, handles discovery for pending cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a police report in Lincoln?
From the agency that took it. The Lincoln police department's page is at lincolnil.gov, phone (217)735-2815; the sheriff's reports come from the Logan County Sheriff's Office.
How long does an agency in Lincoln 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 Logan County Sheriff's Office?
From its records unit. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act the answer is due within 5 business days, with one 5-day extension.
Is this the official Lincoln 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.