Cook County Inmate Search
An arrest, defined as the "taking of a person into custody," becomes necessary in Illinois when someone violates a penal statute. According to 725 ILCS 5/107-1, a law enforcement officer (a sheriff, deputy sheriff, police officer, or state trooper) can arrest a person in Cook County when:
- The law enforcement officer has an arrest warrant (a judicial order permitting an individual's arrest).
- The law enforcement officer reasonably believes that a person has a warrant for arrest.
- The officer has probable cause to believe that a person committed or is committing an offense.
Under 725 ILCS 5/107-3, a private citizen may also arrest another when having reasonable cause to believe that the latter is committing an offense besides an ordinance violation.
After an arrest occurs in Cook County, the arrested individual will be detained and booked at the law enforcement agency - a municipal police department or the county sheriff's department - located where the crime took place. ("Booking" refers to the entry of a criminal charge against an individual alleged to have violated the law.) Subsequently, the arrestee will be brought before a circuit court judge to hear the charge(s) and answer for the offense. Notably, a person can still be brought before the county's circuit court with a summons or notice to appear, usually when it is a petty offense. After an arrest, a cook county inmate search may be performed to access inmate information; this is featured in Cook County, Illinois Public Records and made available to the public, unless otherwise determined by law.
Any defendant (the accused) tried for a criminal offense in Cook County may be found guilty or not guilty by a judge or jury. A "not guilty" conviction frees the defendant from the criminal charge(s). In contrast, a "guilty" conviction results in sentencing, which may involve fines, incarceration, electronic monitoring, probation, community service, or other statutory prescribed penalties.
If the court deems imprisonment a fitting punishment for a person's crime, the accused may be sentenced to jail or prison, according to the severity of their offense. County inmates are often those accused of less serious crimes, those convicted of serious crimes but awaiting transfer to state or federal prison, and those awaiting trial or sentencing. On the other hand, persons sent to prison have usually been convicted of felonies (offenses for which the sentence is death or imprisonment for a year or higher).
In Illinois, the Department of Corrections (IDOC) supervises individuals who enter the state prison system. Meanwhile, the Cook County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) oversees inmates sentenced to the jail facility in Cook County. Members of the public can perform a Cook County inmate search or look up a Cook County inmate through the sheriff's office.
Inmate records are considered public in the United States and therefore are made available by both traditional governmental agencies as well as third-party websites and organizations. Third-party websites may offer an easier means to search, as these services do not face geographical limitations. However, because third-party sites are not government-sponsored, the information obtained through them may vary from official channels. To find inmate records using third-party aggregate sites, requesting parties must provide:
- The location of the sought-after record, including state, county, and city where the inmate resides.
- The name of the person listed in the record, unless it is a juvenile.
Cook County Crime and Incarceration Statistics
According to the jail population data circulated by the Cook County Sheriff's Department, the total incarcerated population in Cook County as of February 15, 2023, was 7,415. Of this number, 5,511 were housed physically in the county jail divisions, and 1,904 were inmates supervised under the electronic monitoring (EM) or community corrections program.
By the end of 2022 (which saw an average of 2,260 EM participants), the three top offenses that led to EM supervision were aggravated gun possession, felon in possession of a gun, and sex crimes. In 2021, the three top crimes were aggravated gun possession, felon in possession of a gun, and drug manufacturing/delivery.
In the Cook County jail, males constitute the larger inmate population (94.6% in physical confinement; 93.6% in community corrections, as of February 15, 2023). Per the sheriff's reports, blacks have the highest inmate population (over 71%), and the age group with the highest inmate population (over 32%) is 25-34. More recent incarceration statistics can be obtained from the sheriff's jail population data page.
Cook County Prison System
The Cook County prison system (otherwise called the county jail system) is run by the Department of Corrections (CCDOC), a unit of the local sheriff's department. The jail is located at a central site, spanning 96 acres, and consists of 10 divisions (7 of which are currently active):
Active Divisions
- Division II
Division II has a 1,276-bed capacity. It houses the general population male inmates classified as minimum or medium security.
- Division III Annex
This is officially referred to as the Residential Treatment Unit. It currently has a capacity of 434 inmates. It holds general population female inmates assigned to the minimum/medium/maximum security category.
- Division IV
Division IV has a 704-bed capacity. Presently, it is closed.
- Division VI
Division VI has a 992-bed capacity. It holds inmates classified as medium and minimum security.
- Division IX
The jail has a design capacity of 1,056 inmates. As of date, it provides housing to general population inmates classified as medium and maximum security. It also contains the Rehabilitation Units (where inmates who violated jail regulations are housed) and Protective Custody Housing Unit (for inmates with maximum security classification).
- Division X
A maximum-security facility with a design capacity of 768 inmates. Presently, the jail facility holds general population inmates.
- Division XI
A medium-security facility that can house 1,536 male inmates.
- Division XVI
This jail division houses incarcerated individuals participating in CCSO programs.
Additional details about the Cook County jail divisions are available on the sheriff's website.
The in-custody population in Cook County, Illinois, is classified into two categories: behind-the-walls inmates and electronically monitored inmates (individuals awaiting trial or serving short sentences). The former is housed at the jail divisions, while the latter population is monitored via global positioning system (GPS) bracelets in the community. According to the sheriff's office, the average daily population (ADP) of inmates in the electronic monitoring (EM) program is over 2,000, whereas the physically housed inmate population surpasses 5,000. In the third quarter of 2022, the ADP of behind-the-walls inmates was 5,668.
How to Find an Inmate in Cook County
Individuals incarcerated in Cook County are under the supervision of the Cook County Department Of Corrections (CCDOC). Hence, when looking for an inmate in Cook County, a person has the following options:
- Call (773) 674-7100 (main line) or (773) 674-1945 (the customer service line) to speak to the staff.
- Call the DOC's automated helpline at (773) 674-5245 (English and Español available).
- Search the sheriff's inmate search engine at https://iic.ccsheriff.org/.
- Stop by the office to make inquiries.
In all cases, an inquirer must provide details such as an inmate's first and last name or booking number to determine the inmate's housing location.
How Does a Cook County Inmate Search Work?
A county inmate search is a formal inquiry into the records maintained by a county correctional facility to retrieve details about an inmate, such as their housing location, custody status, incarceration sentence, etc. In Illinois, the public's right to conduct an inmate search and look up inmate records at both county and state levels is reinforced under the Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.), an act enacted to promote openness and honesty in governance. As a result, anyone can perform an inmate search in Cook County and any other Illinois county, regardless of their residential or citizenship status.
A person conducting an inmate search in Cook County is often privy to the following information:
- An inmate's first and last name
- Age
- Booking photograph
- Booking date
- Booking number
- Housing location
- Next court date and location
- Bond amount
- Visitation hours and days
Where to Find a Cook County Inmate Locator
The Cook County inmate locator (formally called the individual in custody locator) is a web application that the sheriff's office provides to aid public access to records of incarcerated or in-custody individuals. The tool is accessible on the sheriff's website as follows:
- Visit https://iic.ccsheriff.org/.
- Agree to the terms and conditions and select "Begin Search".
- Type the inmate's first and last name or booking number/ID in the search boxes.
- Tick the reCAPTCHA box and click "Submit".
If an inmate cannot be found with the Cook County inmate locator, it is often that the individual has been discharged or transferred to the state prison system. To find an individual confined in a state penitentiary, one can query the IDOC Individual-in-Custody Search site with an inmate's last name, IDOC number, or date of birth. Available information includes an inmate's mugshot (front and side), housing location, offender status, physical description, admission/release/discharge information, and sentencing information. A person can also register to receive notifications when a prisoner's custody status changes.
Occasionally, an inmate may be held in federal custody in the county jail or transferred to a federal prison. One should access the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) inmate locator to locate such an inmate. Search parameters include an inmate's full name or ID number.
Notably, several third-party sites provide inmate locator tools that the public can use to find inmates in different jurisdictions, including Cook County. Typically, these tools are accessible using a person's name, but the researcher may need to pay a fee for access. This fee differs based on the provider.
How to Send Money to a Cook County Inmate
Each person held at the Cook County jail has a trust fund account through which they can receive money from friends and family. This money can be used to purchase commissary items and pay for jail services.
Generally, there are four ways to deposit money into an inmate's trust fund account in Cook County:
- Through the county jail's lobby kiosks
- Through the United States Postal Service
- By online or telephone deposit
- Through currency exchange facilities
Jail Lobby Kiosks
Individuals residing in Cook County can use kiosks at the local jail facility in Chicago to fund an individual in custody's account. Payment at the kiosks can be made by cash or credit card. Below are the kiosk locations:
Division 5 Lobby
2700 South California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60608
Division 10 Lobby
2950 South California
Chicago, IL 60608
Division 11 Lobby
3015 South California Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60608
External Post 5 (front gate entrance)
2700 South California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60608
External Post 7
2834 West 31st Street
Chicago, IL 60608
External Post 9
2805 South Sacramento
Chicago, IL 60608
United States Postal Service (USPS)
Interested persons can send a money order (up to $100) or cashier's check (up to $1,000) to the address below:
Cook County Department of Corrections
(Inmate's name) (Inmate's booking/ID number)
2700 South California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60608
The Department of Corrections returns any money order or cashier's check above the stated amounts. Individuals who wish to send more than the set amounts can include multiple checks or money orders. Furthermore, the office does not accept cash via mail.
Mail deposits have a five-day processing time (the time within which the inmate's account will be funded, calculated in business days) from the date of receipt. However, a request may be processed in a shorter time. A sender can call (773) 674-6864 to check the status of their deposit.
Online and Telephone Deposits
The Cook County Department of Corrections collaborates with three vendors to provide online and telephone deposits to inmate trust fund accounts. Deposits made via these means take one to two business days to enter an individual in custody's account. The relevant telephone numbers and online payment platforms can be obtained from the sheriff's website.
Currency Exchange Facilities
A resident of Cook County can visit currency exchange facilities that provide Money Gram, Western Union, or Cash Pay Today services to add money to a county inmate's account. Additional information can be found on the sheriff's website.
Family, friends, and other members of the public can obtain more information about sending money to an individual in custody at the Cook County jail by calling the county sheriff's trust/finance office at (773) 674-6864.
How to Visit a Cook County Inmate
Any person who wants to visit an individual in custody at the Cook County jail must fill out and submit a visitor application to the Cook County Department of Corrections (CCDOC). This application can be obtained and submitted at the following places:
- The county sheriff's website
- The lobby of the jail division where a person is being held
- At the entrance of any Cook County courthouse
Underage persons (17 years or younger) do not need to submit an application requesting visitation, but they must be accompanied by a guardian or parent approved to visit the same inmate.
There are two ways to visit inmates at the Cook County jail: in person or by video.
In-Person Visitation
Intending in-person visitors can complete and submit their visitor application via the sheriff's Individual in Custody Visitation portal. This application must be submitted 48 hours before the visiting day. Individuals can submit multiple applications if visiting more than one person.
The CCDOC conducts a background check on each applicant and may deny an application under circumstances such as:
- The applicant is on house arrest
- The applicant was discharged from a correctional facility (including the CCDOC) within the previous 60 days
- The applicant filled in inaccurate, invalid, or unverifiable data
- The applicant is on bond and has an open criminal case, except for traffic and misdemeanor cases
- The applicant is in their first year of parole or probation
- The applicant has a protective order issued against the incarcerated individual they wish to visit
- The applicant has a pending warrant, etc.
Applicants are advised to wait seven business days before calling the Visitor Information Center at (773) 674-8225 or (773) 674-8194 or emailing doc.visitation@cookcountyil.gov to ask about their application status. The center can also be contacted to find out about visitation scheduling procedures.
Once the CCDOC approves the application, the applicant can visit an individual in custody at the jail facility, but the following rules apply:
- Each approved visitor must present the ID used at the time of application. This may have been a valid driver's license or state ID, photo school ID, valid alien registration card, valid visa, etc. Additionally, if an underage visitor is high school age, a valid state or school photo ID must be provided.
- Each visitor is subject to a search at the jail premises before a visit. Items that cannot be brought into the jail include music players, drinks, drugs, weapons, cameras, magazines/newspapers, electronics, food, books, tobacco products, etc. Individuals who bring contraband into the jail facility are punishable under 720 ILCS 5/31A-1.1 for a felony (up to 12 years in state prison). The Cook County Sheriff's Office provides a list of contraband items online.
- An adult can accompany up to three children.
- Unruly behavior can lead to the suspension or revocation of visiting privileges.
- Visitors must dress appropriately. Suggestive, provocative, or revealing clothing is prohibited.
Other CCDOC rules and regulations are listed on the local sheriff's website.
Video Visits
The Cook County Department of Corrections provides inmate video visits via Microsoft Teams. A visitor must have an active account on Microsoft Teams created with an email address. More information about setting up an account is contained in the sheriff's video visitation brochure. One may also call the respective telephone number of the jail division where a person is housed to make inquiries.
How to Send Jail Mail in Cook County
All mail sent to persons incarcerated in Cook County should be addressed thus:
Person in custody's name
Booking/ID number
2700 South California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60608
Individuals who do not know an inmate's booking number can call (773) 674-5245 (the automated helpline) or use the Cook County inmate locator, as explained earlier.
Senders must note, however, that the following items are prohibited and cannot be mailed to an inmate:
- Postage stamps
- Paint, brushes, or solvents
- Jewelry
- Credit cards
- Candy
- Aerosol cans
- Bar soap
- Cigars or cigarettes
- Foreign or illegal substances
- Metal, wood, or glass objects
- Medical supplies
- Batteries
- Cosmetics
- Food
- Identification cards
- More than three paperback books or magazines per mail
A comprehensive list of prohibited mail items is available on the county sheriff's website.
According to the sheriff's department, if any part of a mail parcel is prohibited, the entire package will be returned to the sender with an explanation. However, any mail received covered, sprayed, or saturated with a foreign substance (cologne, perfume, etc.) will be marked as contraband and confiscated.
Individuals who wish to challenge a return can write to the Cook County Department of Corrections within 10 days of the return notice. Below is the address format:
Mail Rejection
Cook County Department of Corrections
2700 South California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60608
Cook County Jails and Prisons
Cook County has a single jail site. Below is its address and contact information:
Cook County Department Of Corrections (CCDOC)
2700 South California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60608
Phone: (773) 674-7100
Other relevant contact numbers are provided on the sheriff's website.
Besides the local jail, there is one federal prison in Cook County at the following address:
MCC Chicago
71 West Van Buren Street
Chicago, IL 60605
Phone: (312) 322-0567
