55 ILCS 5/3-5038
In all counties where a recorder is elected in which the recorder has heretofore been, or shall hereafter be required by the county board to keep abstract books showing by tract every conveyance or incumbrance recorded, the date of the instrument, the time of filing same, the book and page where the same is recorded, and showing a true chain of title to each tract and the incumbrances thereon, as shown by the records of the office, such recorder shall keep judgment dockets and indexes thereto, showing all judicial proceedings affecting title to real estate in such county, tax sale books with indexes thereto, showing sales or forfeitures of all lands in the county for unpaid taxes and assessments, and such other books as are usual or necessary to be kept for the purpose of making complete abstracts of title to real estate; and the county board shall furnish such recorder with the necessary rooms, books, stationery, fuel and lights for the purposes herein set forth: Provided, that nothing in this Division shall be construed to empower the recorder to prevent the public from examining and taking memoranda from all records and instruments filed for record, indexes and other books in the recorder's official custody, but it shall be the recorder's duty at all times, when the office is or is required by law to be open, to allow all persons without fee or reward to examine and take memoranda from the same. This Section is subject to the provisions of the Local Records Act.
55 ILCS 5/3-5038