Illinois

DEATH RECORDS

1. For deaths 1871-1877.  This is the only public index that covers the early deaths. If you find a match, contact the Cook County clerk's office. 
2. Out-of-town deaths are indicated by the "OT" in the column just before the date of death. If you find one of those entries, it's best to contact the vital records office where the death took place to see if you can get an original record. However, if the death occurred 1909-1915, the matching Chicago records (likely derivative) are available at FamilySearch. See Out of town deaths, 1909-1915.
3. Stillbirths are indicated by the "SB" in the column just before the date of death. some stillbirths are recorded in the birth registers at the end of each alphabetical section; many new stillbirth certificates appear to be online at FamilySearch, accessible through the catalog.

PROPERTY RECORDS

https://webapps1.chicago.gov/landmarksweb/static/pdf/Your_House_Has_A_History.pdf

https://researchguides.uic.edu/CBP

https://www.chicagocityscape.com/index.php

NEWSPAPERS

Illinois Digital Newspaper Collections

The Sentinel (at National Library of Israel)

The Sentinel (at Illinois State Archives)

Illinois Digital Archives

Unzer Wort - Chicago

Center for Research Libraries Center for Research Libraries Digital Collections CRL Delivery System

Spertus Institute Asher Library

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY, DEERING LIBRARY AND ARCHIVE

You can now find us on the third floor of Deering Library in room 305 (i.e., in the former Special Collections reading room). This space now serves as the single access point for patrons to view Special Collections, University Archives, and Music rare materials in person. Please also note the following changes to our policies and procedures:

• • Reading room hours are 9am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday; appointments are not required but strongly encouraged for optimal service

  • Our new consolidated website can be found here: www.library.northwestern.edu/libraries-collections/mccormick-library/index.html

  • Queries regarding Special Collections, University Archives, and Music rare materials, as well as instruction requests can be emailed to specialcollections@northwestern.edu or directed to the reference desk phone at 847-491-3635

  • All patrons viewing collection material must show a valid ID upon entering the reading room and register for an Aeon user account; advanced registration in Aeon is strongly encouraged

  • We no longer charge for reproductions: staff can scan up to 50 pages or spend 30 minutes of scan time (whichever comes first) at no cost; anything beyond that amount is addressed on a case-by-case basis

  • Patrons are welcome to take photographs of materials for research purposes or use the scanners provided in the reading room up to 30 minutes at a time; in both cases, patrons must first alert reading room staff of their intention to photograph or scan

  • Reading room is under video surveillance

Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court in Chicago

Richard Daley Center, Room 1113, 50 W. Washington, Chicago.  312-603-6601

1. Naturalization Records for Circuit, Superior, County, and Criminal Courts (1871-1929) - Index on site

2. Probate Records - Index on site

3. Divorce Records (1871-1986) - Index on site

4. Civil Lawsuits (1871-1964)

5. Criminal Felony Records (ie murder, rape, robbery with a gun) imprisoned at Joliet or Pontiac

6. Misdameanor Records 1914-1925 - tons of microfilms, unindexed

Naturalization records: Declarations of Intention

https://services.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org/NR/default.aspx

Cook County Medical Examiner for Coroner Inquest when deaths occurred by:

1. Homicide

2. Suicide

3. Accident

https://www.cookcountyil.gov/service/how-obtain-death-records-reports