Criminal Statistics
The Illinois State Police Department operates an incident-based reporting system, which features annual crime statistical data for the state of Illinois. According to the 2017 report, Madison County law enforcement agencies recorded a 2.4% spike in total index crimes with the index crime rate per 100,000 going from 2,168 in 2016 to 2,214 in 2017. This increase was mostly accounted for by the 19% jump in motor vehicle theft, a 65% increase in reports of arson and the 7% and 4% spike in incidents of aggravated assault and burglary offenses.
On the other hand, reports of larceny-theft recorded a notable decline in 2017 while rape held fairly steady going from 118 reported incidents in 2016 to 115 in 2017. Despite the surprising hike in crime rate however, the county stayed just below the 2017 US property and violent crime rate per 100,000, putting it among the nation's safest counties.
Criminal Records
While the Madison County Sheriff's Office is the chief law enforcement agency of the county and the primary administrator of crime-related records, the Illinois State Police Department is the central repository of criminal history records and conviction information for the state.
How to Get Criminal Records
Requests for Madison county criminal history background checks are processed by the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification. In compliance with state laws, the Bureau only disseminates conviction information which is a public record in the state of Illinois.
Interested persons may request name-based or fingerprint-based criminal record checks from the Bureau depending on the purpose of the record.
Name-based checks are processed using the Criminal History Information Response Process - CHIRP. To use the portal, the requesting party is required to register online using a valid email address and obtain unique login information with which to access the system.
Once able to access the portal, the requestor must make the required payments and proceed to conduct name-based searched remotely using the full name, gender, and date of birth of any subject. The records obtained by this search are generated in a matter of minutes.
For fingerprint-based record requests, the subject of the record is required to query the Bureau through the requesting employer or licensing agency or contact a licensed live scan fingerprint vendor.
Once completed, the requestor may receive an encrypted criminal history response from the Illinois State Police. If this is the case, the email may be decrypted by following the Bureaus Criminal History Record Information Response Decryption Instructions.
How to Find Sex Offender Information
The Illinois Sex Offender Registry features a customizable Sex Offender Map which displays the current locations of registred sex offenders within state limits. The Registry itself lists statewide registered offenders, their public information and compliance status, and allows searching by offender name, city, status, zip code, offender type of any desired combination. Madison County residents may access relevant information by searching the site, or query the Illinois sex-offender toll-free number at (888) 414-7678.
Where and How to Get Inmate and Jail Information
The Madison County Sheriff's Office oversees the affairs of the county jail and is charged with disseminating information regarding the facility and resident detainees. General jail and inmate information can be obtained on the Jail Division page of the Sheriff's website, while information relating to health care, visitation, detainee commissary, and inmate mail can be retrieved using any of the applicable links on the Detention Center Page.
The Sheriff's Office also operates an Inmate Search Tool with which interested persons may obtain detainee-specific information such as primary charges, booking date, bail or bond conditions, release date, and any impending court dates. Inmates may be searched by name, registration number or date of birth.
Court Records
Where and How to Get Court Records
The Madison County Circuit Clerk's Office maintains records of court filings and proceedings of civil, criminal, family and juvenile matters heard by the county court. In compliance with state law, the Clerk's Office provides copies of non-confidential court records to interested members of the public.
Requests for court records may be made using the Madison County Copy Request Form. Using the form the requestor must indicate the case information of the record being requested well as the contact information of the requesting party. The form should be completed and submitted along with the other stated requirements to the Circuit Clerk's email at circlkcopies@co.madison.us. Alternatively, court record requests may be made in person or via mail at:
Madison County Circuit Court
Madison County Courthouse
155 North Main Street,
Edwardsville, IL 62025
Phone: (618) 692-6240
Location of all Courts in County
Listed below are the addresses and contact information of all the courthouses in Madison County, Illinois:
Madison County Circuit Court
Madison County Courthouse
155 North Main Street,
Edwardsville, IL 62025
Phone: (618) 692-6240
Madison County Circuit Court - Alton
Alton Law Enforcement Center
1700 East Broadway,
Alton, IL 62002
Phone: (618) 692-6240
Madison County Circuit Court - Collinsville
Collinsville City Hall
125 South Center Street,
Collinsville, IL 62234
Phone: (618) 692-6240
Madison County Circuit Court - Criminal Division
Madison County Criminal Justice Center
509 Ramey Street,
Edwardsville, IL 62025
Phone: (618) 692-8932
Madison County Circuit Court - Granite City
Granite City Hall
2000 Edison Avenue,
Granite City, IL 62040
Phone: (618) 692-6240
City of Madison Municipal Court
615 Madison Avenue,
Madison, IL 62060
Phone: (618) 876-6268
Edwardsville Municipal Court
Edwardsville City Hall
118 Hillsboro Avenue,
Edwardsville, IL 62025
Phone: (618) 656-2131
Granite City Municipal Court
Granite City Hall
2000 Edison Avenue,
Granite City, IL 62040
Phone: (618) 452-6200
Vital Records
The Illinois Department of Public Health is the primary custodian of Illinois State vital records, and it is charged with providing these records to interested and eligible persons. At the county level, this service is provided by the Madison County Clerk's office which maintains records of births, marriages, and deaths that occurred within county limits. Requests for county divorce records may be made to the office of the Circuit Court Clerk. Essentially, Madison county vital records can be obtained at either county or state levels - whichever the case, eligibility requirements will apply.
Where and How to Get Divorce Records
Records of divorces granted by the Madison County Circuit Court are maintained and issued by the County Circuit Clerk's Office. Interested persons may request these records by querying the office via mail, email or in-person.
To make an email divorce record request, the requesting party will be required to complete a County Copy Request Form indicating relevant case information of the record being requested. The completed form should be sent to circlkcopies@co.madison.us.
Similarly, in-person and mail requests require that the requestor prepare a written request stating details of the divorce including the names of the spouses, the date and place of the divorce and the case file number. These requests may be made to:
Madison County Courthouse
155 North Main Street,
Edwardsville, IL 62025
Phone: (618) 692-6240
Where and How to Get Marriage Records, Birth Records and Death Records
Requests for Madison County marriage records, birth records and death records are processed by the office of the County Clerk. However, in compliance with state laws, birth records may only be accessed by persons who meet the required eligibility requirements - i.e. they must be named on the record, or have legal authorization to access the record. On the other hand, copies of marriage and death certificates are considered public records and may be obtained by interested members of the public.
To obtain any of these records, the requesting party is required to download, complete and notarize the Madison County Vital Records Request Form. The completed form must then be accompanied by the indicated fees and ID requirements and submitted in person or via mail at:
Madison County Clerk's Office
157 N. Main Street
P.O. Box 218
Edwardsville, IL 62025
Phone: (618) 692-6290
Fax: (618) 692-8903
In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Are Property Records Open to the Public in Madison County?
The Illinois Freedom of Information Act preserves public access to all property records in Madison County. In compliance with this act, record custodians in Madison County are obligated to grant public access to property information and furnish interested persons with copies of these records.
Where and How to Find Property Records in Madison County
The Madison County Recorder maintains county property records and issues copies to interested persons. Property records in the custody of the Recorder's Office are accessible via email or in person. Requestors may send email requests with details of the desired property records or a description of the property. Emails should be sent to recordercopies@madison.il.us. Processing may take up to seven days.
Alternatively, an interested party can visit the office or send a mail request. Persons requesting physical copies may be charged varying copy fees depending on the record volume and the document type. In-person and mail requestors should submit property record applications using the following details:
Physical Address
Madison County Recorder's Office
Madison County Administration Building
Suite 211
157 N. Main Street
Edwardsville, IL 62025
Phone: (618) 296-4475
Phone: (618) 296-4775
Fax: (618) 692-9843
Madison County Recorder's Office
P.O. Box 308
Edwardsville, IL 62025
How to Look Up Madison County Property Records
The Clayton County Clerk and Recorder provides online property records through a direct search or Laredo Access. The direct search is free of charge and requires one or more of the following details:
- Last name or business name
- First name
- Start date
- End date
- Document number
Interested persons may sign up by printing the access license agreement, completing it, and submitting a signed copy by fax to (618) 692-9843. Persons uninterested in subscribing may use the Tapestry option for pay-per-click access.
Location of Madison County Property Assessors
Chief County Assessment Officer
157 North Main Street
Suite 229
Edwardsville, IL 62025-1964
Phone: (618) 296-4569
