Union County Background Information
Illinois has 102 counties, with one of them being Union County. The county seat is currently Jonesboro. In 2020, the Union County human population was 17,244.
It was formed in 1818.
It was named for a joint revival meeting of the Baptists and Dunkards, called a "union meeting". The county seal depicts the leaders of these two groups shaking hands.
Union County Arrest Records
Arrest records are kept on every crime in Union County. Crimes are split up into two main classes in Union County. Violent crime and property crime are the classifications in question. Property crimes can include things such as burglary, vehicle theft, and larceny. Conversely, the violent crime classes include murder, rape, assault, and robbery. In 2020, Union County recorded 15 violent and 76 property crimes.
Union County Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff: David Wilkins
308 W. Mississippi Street,
Jonesboro, Illinois 62952
Postal Address:
309 West Market Street,
Room 004 , Jonesboro,
Illinois 62952
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday,
8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Phone: (618) 833-5500
Fax: (618) 833-3900
Union County Criminal Records
The regularly updated Union County criminal records include jail and inmate records. The Union County must legally keep an up to date sex offender registers. This includes every person linked with Union County, whether it be an offender living, attending school, working, or incarcerated in the county. This list can be accessed by all occupants in Union County.
Union County Court Records
Court records in Union County are taken care of by the county courthouse. In order to obtain a record, a person in Union County must visit:
Union County Courthouse
Circuit Clerk: Tiffany Busby
309 W Market St, Rm 145
Jonesboro, IL 62952
Hours: 8:00 a.m.-AND 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. CST
Phone: (618) 833-5913
Fax: (618) 833-5223
In Illinois, the Court of Appeals oversees any lower court case in which one party contests a decision made. The lower courts in question are made up of the 102 superior/trial courts across 102 Illinois counties, such as Union County.
NOTE - In Union County, court records are sent out in one of three ways. These three ways are fax, email, or mail. Alternatively, official records can only be sent out via mail.
Union County Public Documents
Each and every Union County resident has vital records kept on them. Union County is even in charge of acquiring some of this information. These records can include anything from birth and death certificates to marriage licenses and divorce decrees.
Marriage records are amassed by county clerks in Illinois, including Union County. Each individual vital record is then sent to the Illinois Office of Vital Statistics. Union County has also been in charge of birth and death records in the past. In Illinois, each individual vital record is located under one central registry. These kept vital records can be used later down the road for statistical analysis.
The Illinois Freedom of Information Act was passed in 1800 and ensures that all Union County residents can obtain public records. This covers all Union County public records, both state and local government. The act was amended in 1984. Resident may obtain records at:
Union County Clerk: Lance Meisenheimer
309 W Market St
Courthouse, Rm 116
Jonesboro, IL 62952
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday,
8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Phone: (618) 833-5711
Fax: (618) 833-8712
Having said that, occupants of Union County must pay a fee per record. Birth record first copies cost $15 in Union County. Any extra copy ordered on top of this as the original are then available for $6 each. In Union County, death record first copies cost $17. It then costs a supplementary $10 for every copy beyond that. The first copies of marriage records in Union County cost $15 and $10 additional for each copy as requested.
NOTE - There are a number of rules that must be followed in order for Union County inhabitants to obtain records. A person in Union County must visit the office from Monday to Friday, between 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. CST. Before records are presented, some form of photo ID must be shown. Examples of an appropriate form of photo ID include a driver's license or state ID. Any request must be put in writing in Union County.
