Unconsolidated Joint Ventures (Details 14) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 42,931	$ 39,362	$ 83,461	$ 77,885
Net income attributable to Inland Real Estate Corporation	103,970	7,146	110,871	5,637
Net income attributable to common stockholders	101,675	4,923	106,366	2,159
Net income attributable to common stockholders per weighted average common share — basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.09	$ 0.06	$ 1.16	$ 0.02
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — basic (in shares)	92,803	88,962	91,149	88,934
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — diluted (in shares)	93,042	89,077	91,384	89,049
Pro Forma Adjustments
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total revenues			18,703	21,832
IN Retail Fund LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — basic (in shares)	92,803	88,962	91,149	88,934
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — diluted (in shares)	93,042	89,077	91,384	89,049
IN Retail Fund LLC | Pro Forma Adjustments
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total revenues	7,249	10,720
Net income attributable to Inland Real Estate Corporation	(2,827)	(4,470)	(7,245)	(9,151)
Net income attributable to common stockholders	(2,827)	(4,470)	(7,245)	(9,151)
IN Retail Fund LLC | Pro Forma
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total revenues	50,180	50,082	102,164	99,717
Net income attributable to Inland Real Estate Corporation	101,143	2,676	103,626	(3,514)
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 98,848	$ 453	$ 99,121	$ (6,992)
Net income attributable to common stockholders per weighted average common share — basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.00	$ 0.00	$ 1.01	$ (0.07)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — basic (in shares)	99,034	97,962	98,756	97,934
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — diluted (in shares)	99,273	98,077		98,049