ONLINE GUMSHOE

ONLINE GUMSHOE: Interested in sleuthing on your new neighbor, co-worker or friend, such as finding out whether they've ever filed for bankruptcy? Want to check on a real estate deal?

A new Web site called CheckIllinois at http://consumer.public-record.com gives private individuals the chance to check public data.

CheckIllinois was started by Record Information Services Inc., a Kaneville Township-based company that offers public data to professionals and businesses.

Individual searches also can be conducted on foreclosures, state and federal tax liens, divorces, DUIs, suspended and revoked licenses, and probate proceedings.

The number of Illinois counties covered varies depending on the information. It tracks real estate deals in 15 counties, for example, going back as far as 1998 in Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will Counties, and for Cook County since 1999.

Searching is free. When a list of possible records is found, they can be bought for $4.95 each.

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byerak@tribune.com
Chicago Tribune
Becky Yerak

Posted On: May 2007