Looking up a crime someone committed in 1998?

Question

I recently found out someone i used to know a very long time ago is in prison for something very awful...it happened back in 1998...how would i go about finding the artical/story on the internet of what he did...i tried to google his name, and nothing comes up...it happened in Springfield Illinois

Answer 1

Court documents are public record (at least where I am from).  All I did was Google criminal trial records, illinois, and some very promising web sites showed up.  Where I am from you can actually get the court transcripts on the Internet.

Answer 2

Try looking him on Megan's Law.