The City Clerk's Office, 1601 Chicago Road, is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The following services are provided:
The Clerk's Office will register for voting any resident who is 18 years of age or older.
Applicants must provide two forms of current identification and complete a registration form. A voter's registration card will be mailed by the County Clerk's Office to the resident in four to six weeks.
Birth certificates are available for any person born in Chicago Heights or at St. James Hospital and Health Centers in the city. The birth records date back to 1869.
Birth records are released only to the parents of a child born at St. James Hospital or to that person if he or she is at least 18 years old.
A person requesting a birth certificate must show a driver's license or a state identification. If a person making the request does not have a driver's license or state ID, two other forms of identification (a Social Security card, voter registration card, school ID, bank statement, etc.) must be presented.
Death records date back to 1902 and are available only from those recorded by St. James Hospital, Prairie Manor Nursing Home and Riviera Nursing Home. Anyone who has a personal interest may request a death certificate.
A brief form must be completed by the person requesting either a birth or death record. The fee for a certified copy of a birth or death record is $7. Additional copies are $2 each.
For additional information, telephone the City Clerk's Office at 708-756-5309.
All commercially zoned businesses in Chicago Heights must be licensed to operate and conform to ordinance requirements. City ordinance prohibits the operation of a business in a residential area.
A business license is valid for one year. Licenses must be renewed annually. License fees vary for different types of businesses.
Vehicle licenses must be renewed on July 2. Preprinted cards are mailed to residents informing them of the due date and fee.
Vehicle license fees are $30 for autos and trucks a half-ton or less, $46 for trucks over a half-ton and $15 for motorcycles. Seniors citizens 65 years and older may buy a city sticker for $5 by showing proof of age. A penalty fee is charged for not displaying a license by the due date.
Official city government records are available from the Clerk's Office. The records include ordinances, resolutions, contracts and other documents adopted or approved by the City Council.