Lose something in Wilmette? File a report and let us find it for you.
Submit one report and we connect it to the Wilmette Police Department, North Shore Transit, and active community channels throughout the village. Your report stays active, continuously searching for a match.
What did you lose?
If there isn’t an adequate suggestion, select “Other – My item isn’t listed” and enter the item’s category. You can provide details later.
Publishing your report is free and your details stay private. The assisted search is a separate paid service, described in the Terms.
Recent activity
Illinois : the holding period depends on value: six months for items under $100, one year above. (765 ILCS 1020)
Across the United States
- Wrislet clutch gray/silver bag with documents · Chicago, IL, October 8
- Ring TM on top · Greensboro, NC, October 8
- Keys · Sarasota, FL, October 8
- Keys · Brookline, MA, October 7
- Camera · Monterey, CA, October 7
Local contact details reviewed on October 7, 2026.
How it works
You report your loss
Tell us what you lost, where, and when. We gather all the details we need to route your report to the right places.
We route it to the right places
Your report goes straight to Wilmette Police, North Shore Transit (if applicable), local businesses, and community networks. No back-and-forth phone calls, no guessing which office handles what.
Your report keeps searching
For your entire search period (12 months), your report stays active and cross-checks new found items, marketplace posts, and community announcements. You get an alert as soon as a credible match appears, so you don't have to check every site every day.
Where to report (and where we report for you)
These are the official channels for lost items in Wilmette. When you file with ReportLost, we notify them on your behalf and ensure your report reaches the right desk.
Wilmette Police Department
The Police Department maintains records of lost and found items and can advise on next steps depending on where your item went missing. For non-emergency reports, call their non-emergency line. We generate the report for you and let them know to expect your case.
Call non-emergency line|Police Department website|Email police
North Shore Transit
If you left something on a local bus, North Shore Transit's lost and found team can help. They keep items for a set period and can reunite you with your belongings. We tell you which office to contact and what information to provide.
Village Hall and Public Spaces
Lost an item at a village facility, park, or public building? Wilmette Village Hall can point you to the right department or building management. We provide them with your details so they know to look for your item.
Lost Pet
Lost a dog, cat, or other pet in Wilmette? Reach out to the Wilmette Police Department's Animal Control division (they oversee lost pet reports for the village) and to Lake County Animal Care, which serves the broader region. When you file with us, we also help you file a priority lost pet report to speed up the search.
⚠️ Spotted incorrect or outdated information? Let us know so we can review it.
Ready to get your item found?
The sooner you report, the sooner every channel starts looking. Once your report is in, your part is done. Our team and the village's networks take it from there.
Report my lost item →Wilmette residents and visitors lose items everywhere: on buses and in cars, at the library and the park, in restaurants and shops along the village streets. When it happens, you face a fragmented puzzle, contacting the police, then transit, then each location separately, wondering if anyone will actually call you back.
ReportLost simplifies that confusion. One report, submitted once, goes to all the right channels at once. Your information reaches the Wilmette Police Department, North Shore Transit, and community networks in one step. Once filed, your report doesn't disappear after a few days, it remains active and working for you, cross-checking new found items and posts throughout your entire search period, so you can focus on your day while we focus on finding your item.
Common places where Wilmette residents lose items
These neighborhoods and locations see the most lost and found activity.
Downtown Wilmette
Shopping, dining, and commerce along Wilmette Avenue and surrounding blocks. Items commonly left at stores, restaurants, and in transit between them.
Wilmette Harbor and Beach
Seasonal gathering spot where belongings are frequently misplaced on the shore, in parking areas, or left behind in recreation facilities.
Residential Streets and Parks
Tree-lined neighborhoods throughout the village where items are lost during walks, errands, or community events.
Transit Corridors
North Shore Transit bus stops and routes connecting Wilmette to neighboring communities, where phones, bags, and personal items are often left behind.
Community networks actively helping
Local Facebook groups and Nextdoor are where Wilmette residents post found items and reunite with their belongings.
Active neighborhood network where found items are posted and residents help return them
Local Wilmette groups where residents share photos of found items and help track down owners
Statewide pet recovery network for those who've lost a companion animal
Questions about losing and finding items in Wilmette
How long does the Wilmette Police Department keep lost and found items?
Contact the Wilmette Police Department at 847-256-1200 to ask about their specific retention periods. Items held at different locations may have different timelines, so it's worth checking as soon as you file your report.
What if I left something on a North Shore Transit bus?
Call North Shore Transit at 847-677-9700 during business hours (7 AM to 6 PM). Have your bus route and the date ready. Items are typically held for a limited period before being disposed of, so don't delay.
Where do I pick up a found item from Wilmette Police?
Items turned in to the Police Department can typically be claimed at their main office, 3220 Big Tree Lane, Wilmette, IL 60091. Call ahead at 847-256-1200 to confirm your item is there and the best time to pick it up.
Can I report a lost pet online with Wilmette?
The Wilmette Police Department handles Animal Control. Call 847-256-1200 to report a lost pet. You can also file a report with Lake County Animal Care at 847-377-4700. Both will help spread the word locally.
How does ReportLost work differently from just calling places myself?
When you file one report with us, we connect to Wilmette Police, North Shore Transit, and local community channels simultaneously, so you don't have to make multiple calls or emails. More importantly, your report stays active for your entire search period (12 months) and keeps comparing new found items and posts to your description automatically, without you checking every day.
Is ReportLost.org an official service of the Wilmette Police Department?
No, ReportLost is an independent service that works alongside local law enforcement and transit systems. We are not a government agency, but we partner with official channels to ensure your lost item report reaches the right people. Think of us as a coordinator that takes the legwork out of reporting your loss.
Lost & found in nearby cities
Start your search right now
The sooner your report is in circulation, the better your chances of recovery. File your report today, and let our network and the Wilmette community help bring your item home.
Start my report →ReportLost.org is an independent service and is not affiliated with the Wilmette Police Department, Village of Wilmette, North Shore Transit, Lake County Animal Care, or any other agency or business mentioned on this page. We work in coordination with these organizations to distribute lost item reports, but we are not an official government service. Each organization operates under its own policies and procedures.