Driver guide · Ford of Peoria · Peoria, IL
Illinois Car Crash Reports: When to File and How to Get a Copy
After a crash in Illinois, the law may require a report even when no officer comes to the scene. Here is when a crash must be reported, the deadline, which crashes you can report online with the Illinois State Police, what to have ready, and how to get a copy of the crash report afterward, for drivers around Peoria.
The short answer
In Illinois, each driver in a crash that caused a death, an injury, or more than $1,500 of property damage (more than $500 if any driver is uninsured) must file a crash report. If no officer came to the scene, report it to the Illinois State Police as soon as possible, within 10 days. Some single-vehicle, damage-only crashes on state routes can be reported online.
When an Illinois crash must be reported
The Illinois State Police (ISP) says each driver involved in an Illinois traffic crash must file a crash report if the crash caused a death, bodily injury, or more than $1,500 of property damage when all drivers are insured. If any driver does not have insurance, the property damage threshold drops to $500.
If a police officer does not appear on the scene, you need to file a report with the Illinois State Police as soon as possible, within 10 days. When an officer does investigate, Illinois law (625 ILCS 5/11-408) requires the investigating agency's crash report to be submitted to the Illinois Department of Transportation within 10 days after the investigation, IDOT says.
From the Illinois State Police, Crash Reports and Complete a Crash Report Online, and IDOT, Crash Reports, read October 28, 2026. This page is a summary, not legal advice.
Which crashes you can report online
The Illinois State Police Online Crash Reporting Application lets some motorists report a crash without an officer on the scene. Per the ISP, the crash must be:
Single vehicle
Only one vehicle involved. All two-vehicle crashes must be reported in person and are not accepted online.
Property damage only
No injuries to anyone involved.
On a state route
On an Interstate highway or a U.S. or Illinois route, the roads normally under ISP jurisdiction.
Outside 10 counties
In any Illinois county except Boone, McHenry, Lake, DeKalb, Kane, DuPage, Cook, Kendall, Will and Grundy. Peoria County is not on that list.
From the Illinois State Police, Crash Reports and Complete a Crash Report Online, read October 28, 2026. If your crash does not meet these criteria, the ISP says to contact law enforcement to make a report. The ISP rarely handles crashes on municipal streets.
What to have ready after a crash
For crashes reported to a trooper, the Illinois State Police says motorists should exchange information and be prepared to provide driver's license information, vehicle registration, proof of liability insurance, and a call-back number for any driver who is not present, for a follow-up investigation by a trooper.
If you are in a hit-and-run crash, the ISP says not to try to follow the other vehicle. Instead, get as much detailed information as possible and report the crash as soon as possible. In the Chicagoland area, the ISP also takes in-person Desk Reports within 10 days for crashes on freeways, including hit-and-run crashes.
From the Illinois State Police, Crash Reports, read October 28, 2026.
The IDOT Motorist Report is no longer required
IDOT says that under Public Act 102-0560, a motorist involved in a motor vehicle crash does not need to fill out an SR1B Illinois Motorist Report and send it to the Illinois Department of Transportation. The exception: under state rules, an employee involved in a crash in a state vehicle must still file the report with IDOT's Bureau of Data Collection.
From IDOT, Crash Reports, read October 28, 2026.
How to get a copy of an Illinois State Police crash report
Per the Illinois State Police:
1. Check who investigated
Look at the "Investigated By" box in the upper left corner of the motorist report. If it does not say Illinois State Police, ask the listed agency for your report. The ISP rarely handles crashes on municipal streets.
2. Gather the details
The Agency Crash Report Number, a driver's first and last name, the date of the crash, its location (for example Interstate 55 or a U.S. route) and the county.
3. Request it with E-Pay
Request and pay online and receive the report by email. The statutory fee is $5.00, plus a service fee (2.35% with a $1.00 minimum for credit cards).
4. Allow time
Requests are processed in the order received and only after the report is approved, so they may take 10 or more business days. Check your spam folder for an email with the subject "Illinois State Police Traffic Crash Report".
From the Illinois State Police, Crash reports - EPay and Obtain a Crash Report Online, read October 28, 2026. Reports are released as a redacted version under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140).
Requesting an Illinois State Police crash report by mail
To request a report by mail, send a written request with as much of this as possible: the Agency Crash Report Number, the date and location of the crash, and the names of the involved parties (drivers and passengers). Include a $5.00 check or money order payable to "Illinois State Police" (do not send cash) and a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Mail it to the Illinois State Police, Patrol Records Unit, 801 South 7th Street, Suite 600-M, Springfield, Illinois 62703.
Mailed and online copies are redacted. For an unredacted copy, the ISP says to send a subpoena or an order signed by a judge with your request; a subpoena adds a $20.00 processing fee.
From the Illinois State Police, Obtain a Crash Report by Mail and Obtain a Crash Report Online, read October 28, 2026.
After the reports: service at Ford of Peoria
The Works® at Ford of Peoria includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check. Once the paperwork is done, schedule a checkup.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Ford of Peoria is at 2211 W. Pioneer Pkwy. in Peoria. Get directions.
Ford of Peoria service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-noon |
| Sun | closed |
From Ford of Peoria's website, October 28, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Illinois crash report FAQ
Do I have to report a car accident in Illinois?
Yes, in many cases. The Illinois State Police says each driver involved in an Illinois traffic crash must file a crash report if the crash caused a death, bodily injury, or more than $1,500 of property damage when all drivers are insured. If any driver does not have insurance, the threshold is $500. If a police officer does not come to the scene, file a report with the Illinois State Police as soon as possible, within 10 days.
Can I file an Illinois crash report online?
Only for some crashes. The Illinois State Police online application accepts single-vehicle, property-damage-only crashes with no injuries that happened on an Interstate or a U.S. or Illinois route, in any Illinois county except Boone, McHenry, Lake, DeKalb, Kane, DuPage, Cook, Kendall, Will and Grundy. All two-vehicle crashes must be reported in person.
How do I get a copy of my Illinois crash report?
First check the "Investigated By" box on the motorist report. If it does not say Illinois State Police, ask the listed agency for the report; the ISP says it rarely handles crashes on municipal streets. For an ISP report, request it online with E-Pay or by mail. Copies are redacted under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act unless you send a subpoena or an order signed by a judge with a mailed request.
How much does an Illinois State Police crash report cost?
The statutory fee is $5.00. Ordering through E-Pay adds a service fee; for credit cards it is 2.35% with a $1.00 minimum. By mail, send a $5.00 check or money order payable to "Illinois State Police" and do not send cash.
Do I still need to send a Motorist Report to IDOT?
No, in most cases. IDOT says that under Public Act 102-0560 a motorist involved in a crash no longer needs to fill out an SR1B Illinois Motorist Report and send it to IDOT. State employees in a crash in a state vehicle still have to file it.
What should I do after a hit-and-run crash?
The Illinois State Police says not to try to follow the other vehicle. Get as much detailed information as you can and report the crash as soon as possible.
What does The Works at Ford of Peoria include?
The Works® at Ford of Peoria includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Schedule a checkup
Book The Works, which includes a brake inspection, tire rotation and pressure check and Multi-Point Inspection, at Ford of Peoria.
Sources
Crash reporting rules, fees and steps are from the Illinois State Police and the Illinois Department of Transportation, read October 28, 2026. Rules and fees change; this page is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Service details, address and hours are from Ford of Peoria's own website, checked the same day. Photo is illustrative.
- Crash Reports (reporting thresholds, 10-day rule, Desk Reports, hit-and-run), Illinois State Police, read October 28, 2026
- Complete a Crash Report Online (eligible crashes and counties), Illinois State Police, read October 28, 2026
- Crash reports - EPay (fees, details needed, processing time), Illinois State Police, read October 28, 2026
- Obtain a Crash Report by Mail, Illinois State Police, read October 28, 2026
- Obtain a Crash Report Online (unredacted copies), Illinois State Police, read October 28, 2026
- Crash Reports (625 ILCS 5/11-408, Motorist Report change), Illinois Department of Transportation, read October 28, 2026
- General service: The Works, Ford of Peoria, October 28, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Ford of Peoria, October 28, 2026