Cook County IL Arrest Records Search | Jail & Court 2026

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Cook County, Illinois · Jail, police-report and criminal-court guide

Cook County Booking and Court Search: Verify Custody, Charges and the Final Result

A Cook County arrest can create several records in different offices. The Sheriff maintains county jail custody information, the arresting agency controls its incident report, and the Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains the criminal case docket and official court file.

This guide brings the important jail, bond, release, mail, phone, visitation, court-file, warrant, FOIA and record-clearing procedures into one page. Outside portals remain only where a live search, payment, appointment or filing must be completed.

Run the live jail search Search criminal court cases Fix a failed search
An arrest is not a conviction. A jail charge is an allegation entered during arrest or intake. Prosecutors can change or dismiss charges, and courts can enter different outcomes. Never identify a person from a matching name or mugshot alone.
Jail locator

Name and booking-number search.

Automated line

773-674-5245

Main jail

2700 S. California Ave., Chicago.

Customer service

8 a.m.–8 p.m., seven days.

Source review

Updated July 15, 2026.

Record router

Use the correct Cook County record for your question

SHERIFF / CCDOC Is the person in jail now?

Use the Individual in Custody Locator for booking identification, current housing, charges, court references and available discharge information.

Best for: live custody, booking number, jail division, bond review, mail, visits and release tracking.
ARRESTING AGENCY What allegedly happened?

Request the incident report, arrest report, property record or releasable supplements from the Sheriff, Chicago Police or suburban police agency that made the arrest.

Best for: incident narrative, officer observations, report number, property and releasable evidence records.
CIRCUIT COURT CLERK What happened to the charge?

Use the court docket for filed charges, hearings, orders and disposition. Obtain the official or certified document when formal proof is required.

Best for: case status, court date, dismissal, plea, judgment, sentencing and certified disposition.
Best complete sequence: Find the jail booking, save the booking and case numbers, identify the arresting agency, review every court case and request only the specific report or certified disposition still needed.

Choose the problem you need to solve

The article is organized around actions instead of sending users through a directory of links.

Official jail workflow

How to search the Cook County Jail locator correctly

Open the Individual in Custody Locator Use the Cook County Sheriff system for current county jail information and visitation access.
Begin with the last name A broad surname search helps catch middle-name differences, compound surnames, suffixes and spelling variations.
Add the first name only when needed When many results appear, add the legal first name. Avoid using every possible field during the initial search.
Try alternate names Test maiden names, former names, hyphen variations, shortened names and omitted suffixes.
Open every plausible record Compare age or birth information, booking date, booking number, housing division, charges and case numbers.
Save the name exactly as displayed The exact spelling and booking number are required for mail, trust deposits and many jail-service questions.
Review all charges and holds One person can have multiple cases, warrants, detainers or release conditions.
Continue to the court docket The jail entry reflects custody information. The court record is the better source for later filings and final disposition.
Automated inmate and housing line

773-674-5245

English and Spanish automated assistance.

Corrections customer service

773-674-1945

Seven days a week, 8 a.m.–8 p.m.

Open the live jail locator Call the automated line
Result decoder

What Cook County jail-search fields mean

Booking fields, limitations and next actions
Field What it identifies What it does not prove Next action
Booking number The identifier assigned to the county jail booking. It does not establish guilt or the court result. Use it for mail, deposits, calls, visits and discharge tracking.
Booking date When the person entered Cook County jail processing. It may differ from the arrest or filing date. Use it to separate current and older custody events.
Housing location The current jail division and living unit. Housing can change because of classification, health or security needs. Confirm the division before scheduling or traveling.
Arresting agency The agency responsible for the arrest. The jail does not become custodian of that agency’s police report. Request the incident report from the listed agency.
Charge The allegation associated with booking or court paperwork. It can be changed, dismissed or resolved differently. Search every related court case.
Case number The court case connected with the charge. One booking may involve several cases. Search each number individually in the Clerk system.
Bond or release status The present release condition or status. Another case or agency hold may still prevent release. Verify every case, hold and court order.
Discharge status The person’s progress through release processing. A review status does not mean the person has left the jail. Use the discharge tracker and wait for completion.
Booking image A photograph taken during custody processing when displayed. It is not proof of conviction or responsibility. Match stronger identifiers before relying on it.
Same-name risk: Never send money, publish an accusation or contact an employer based only on a name or photograph. Verify at least two independent identifiers.
Identity safeguard

Use the two-identifier rule

Full legal name is consistent
Middle name, suffix or alias is consistent
Age or date of birth is consistent
Booking date matches the known arrest
Arresting agency matches the location
Booking number matches jail communications
Court case number matches the docket
Disposition belongs to the correct count
Same name, different birth information Treat the records as different people unless an official source confirms an error.
Similar mugshot, different case number A visual resemblance is weaker than official record identifiers.
Same birth date, different middle name Check aliases, booking date, agency and the complete court file.
Old or unfamiliar address Addresses can be outdated or protected and should not be the sole identifier.
Troubleshooting

No Cook County inmate record found? Follow this order

The arrest happened recently The person may still be completing police processing, court intake, medical screening or jail classification.
The name is recorded differently Search the surname alone and try aliases, maiden names, suffix changes and alternate spellings.
Chicago Police made the arrest The person may remain in a Chicago Police lockup before transfer to Cook County.
A suburban department made the arrest The person may still be held by the suburb or processed through a suburban courthouse.
The person was released quickly Search the court docket for the case and disposition rather than relying only on current custody.
The person was transferred Custody may have moved to Illinois state prison, federal custody, another county or a treatment facility.
A case exists without current custody The defendant may have been released, summoned, placed on pretrial release or connected with an older case.
The record is restricted Juvenile, expunged, sealed, impounded and otherwise confidential records may not appear publicly.
Call script for a missing record “I am trying to confirm whether [full legal name], date of birth [date], is in Cook County custody. The arrest may have occurred on [date] through [agency]. I have [booking, report or case number]. Can you confirm whether the person is still processing, was released or was transferred?”
Record lifecycle

How one Cook County arrest becomes several records

Police arrest or citation The arresting agency creates the incident, arrest, property and investigative records.
Lockup or jail intake The person may first be held by Chicago Police or a suburban agency before entering Cook County Department of Corrections custody.
Screening and classification CCDOC performs identification, medical screening, property intake and housing classification.
First appearance and pretrial decision A judge addresses detention or release under Illinois pretrial law and any conditions that apply.
Prosecutor review The State’s Attorney may proceed, amend charges or decline prosecution.
Court docket and filings The Clerk records complaints, appearances, orders, motions, warrants and disposition information.
Release or transfer The person may be released, placed on monitoring, retained under a detention order or transferred.
Final result and possible record relief The case may end through dismissal, plea, trial, judgment or another disposition. Eligible records may later be expunged or sealed.
Jurisdiction finder

Which office controls the arrest report?

Report custodian by arresting authority
Who made the arrest? Report custodian Jail information Court information
Cook County Sheriff’s Police Cook County Sheriff’s Office Cook County locator when booked into CCDOC Cook County Clerk case search
Chicago Police Department Chicago Police Department Records Division Cook County locator after county booking Chicago criminal department or division
Suburban municipal police The suburb’s police department Cook County locator if county custody follows The appropriate suburban municipal district
Illinois State Police Illinois State Police records unit Cook County locator when housed there Cook County Clerk if filed in Cook County
Federal agency The federal arresting agency County locator only if temporarily housed there Federal court, not the Cook County criminal docket
Important distinction: The Sheriff’s FOIA office is separate from Chicago Police. A Cook County jail booking does not transfer ownership of the Chicago Police arrest report to the Sheriff.
Sheriff FOIA

How to request Cook County Sheriff arrest records

Use the Sheriff’s electronic FOIA system for records maintained by the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. The portal also accepts subpoena requests.

Mailing address
Cook County Sheriff’s Office
Attn: Freedom of Information Officer
Richard J. Daley Center
50 W. Washington, Room 704
Chicago, IL 60602
In-person submission
Civil Process Division
Richard J. Daley Center
50 W. Washington, Room 701
Chicago, IL 60602

Specify the documents instead of asking for “everything”

Incident report

The primary Sheriff report concerning the reported event.

Arrest report

The arrest documentation maintained by the Sheriff when its personnel made the arrest.

Supplemental reports

Later reports, subject to investigative and privacy exemptions.

Property record

Property collected, inventoried, retained or released.

Booking or custody records

Records maintained by the Department of Corrections beyond the live locator.

Audio, video or photographs

Describe the event precisely because media can require review and redaction.

Information to include

Full legal name
Date of birth when known
Date and time of the incident
Location of the incident
Arresting agency or unit
Report number
Booking number
Court case number
Exact document types
Maximum cost authorized
Copy-ready Sheriff FOIA request
Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, I request an electronic copy of the publicly releasable incident report, arrest report, property record and supplemental reports concerning [full legal name], date of birth [date if known], for the incident occurring on or about [date and time] at [location]. Known identifiers are Sheriff report number [number], booking number [number] and court case number [number]. Please provide an estimate before processing if fees will exceed $[amount].
FOIA is not a complete background check. The Sheriff directs complete criminal-history requests to the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification.
Submit a Sheriff FOIA request
Court-record workflow

How to search Cook County criminal court cases

Online docket limitation: The Clerk states that online case information is a brief electronic summary, not the official court record. Recent filings or events can take several days to appear.
Search by case number first A complete case number is more precise than a name and reduces same-name errors.
When using a name, test aliases Search the legal name, prior names and known spelling variations.
Confirm the municipal district Chicago and suburban Cook County cases are maintained by different criminal offices.
Identify the case level Distinguish misdemeanor, preliminary felony and felony trial matters.
Read each charge separately Different counts can have different outcomes, court dates and sentencing entries.
Check the newest events Review appearances, motions, warrants, continuances, orders and disposition entries.
Do not stop at “closed” Locate the actual dismissal, judgment, plea, verdict or other final entry.
Use the official file for formal proof View the courthouse file or request a certified disposition when necessary.
Open Cook County case search
Docket decoder

What common Cook County criminal-case terms mean

Use the charge-level disposition, not a general status
Term Plain-language meaning What to verify
Pending The matter has not reached final disposition. Review the next court date and recent orders.
Dismissed The identified charge was dismissed. Check whether all counts and related cases were dismissed.
Nolle prosequi The prosecution elected not to proceed with the identified charge at that time. Read the order and count information.
Finding of not guilty The defendant was acquitted of the charge decided by that finding. Determine whether another count remained.
Finding of guilty A judgment of guilt was entered for the identified charge. Review the sentence and count number.
Supervision A court disposition involving a supervision period rather than an ordinary conviction judgment in the circumstances shown. Review completion status and record-relief eligibility.
Conditional discharge A sentence with conditions but without probation-style reporting in the form shown. Review the sentence order and completion status.
Warrant issued The court docket reflects issuance of a warrant or order. Confirm whether it remains active, was served or was recalled.
Closed The case is no longer shown as active. Closed alone does not explain the final legal outcome.
Official court files

How to view a Cook County criminal file or obtain a disposition

Chicago misdemeanor and preliminary felony files

Criminal Department
Richard J. Daley Center
50 W. Washington Street
Room 1006
Chicago, IL 60602

312-603-4641

File-review rules

Bring valid photo identification.

Files opened within the past four years are generally on-site unless pending in court.

Chicago felony trial files

Criminal Division
George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse
2650 S. California Avenue
5th Floor, Room 526
Chicago, IL 60608

773-674-3140

Cases handled

Chicago felony trial matters, post-conviction proceedings, appeals, felony sealing and expungement petitions and related motions.

Documents that may appear in a criminal file

Arrest report or complaint
Warrant or order
Bond slip or release document
Attorney appearances
Court orders
Affidavits
Motions and petitions
Notices and disposition entries

Certified disposition checklist

Defendant’s full legal name
Date of birth
Date of arrest
Case number when known
Chicago or suburban jurisdiction
Certification type required
Jurisdiction rule: The downtown Criminal Department provides dispositions for Chicago cases. For a suburban arrest or case, contact the suburban district where the case occurred.

Suburban criminal districts

Cook County suburban criminal-service locations
District Address Phone
District 2 – Skokie 5600 Old Orchard Road, Room 136, Skokie, IL 60077 847-470-7250
District 3 – Rolling Meadows 2121 Euclid Avenue, Room 121, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 847-818-3000
District 4 – Maywood 1500 Maybrook Drive, Room 236, Maywood, IL 60153 708-865-6040
District 5 – Bridgeview 10220 S. 76th Avenue, Room 121, Bridgeview, IL 60455 708-974-6500
District 6 – Markham 16501 S. Kedzie Parkway, Room 119, Markham, IL 60428 708-232-4551
Clerk live chat: The Clerk offers live assistance Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Warrant safety

How to check a possible Cook County warrant

Search current jail custody A recently served warrant may appear as a current Cook County booking.
Search every related court case Look for warrant, failure-to-appear or order entries.
Verify the municipal district Chicago and suburban warrant matters may be maintained by different Clerk offices.
Confirm current enforcement status A docket can continue to display historical warrant activity after service or recall.
Use a safe resolution path A person checking their own status should contact an Illinois attorney, the Clerk or the issuing court.
Chicago Criminal Department

312-603-4641

Prepare the name, aliases, date of birth, arrest year and charge.

Court-location information

773-674-9255

Use the defendant name or case number.

Never confront or detain anyone. A similar name, recalled warrant or delayed update can create a dangerous mistake.
Pretrial release and legacy bond

Cook County bond rules after Illinois ended cash bail

Current rule: Cases filed on or after September 18, 2023 generally use Illinois’s non-monetary pretrial release and detention system. Older cases filed before that date may still contain a cash-bond requirement.

Division 5 Bond Room

Location
Division 5
2700 S. California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60608
Hours

10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Every day, including holidays.

Applicable cases

Eligible legacy cash-bond cases and other transactions handled by the Clerk’s bonding staff.

Accepted payment rules for an applicable legacy bond

U.S. cash
Eligible verified bank or cashier’s check
In-person credit or debit card
Actual payment card must be presented
Valid photo identification is required
Card service fee is 2.13%
Not accepted: Personal checks and money orders are not accepted for bonding. Checks must be payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court and may require bank verification during normal banking hours.

Weekday suburban bond locations

Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, applicable bond transactions may also be handled from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Skokie, Rolling Meadows, Maywood, Bridgeview and Markham courthouses.

Before attempting a bond transaction

Confirm the case predates September 18, 2023 Newer cases ordinarily do not use the former cash-bail system.
Confirm every case and hold A payment on one case may not resolve another warrant, detention order or agency hold.
Wait until intake and court paperwork are processed Newly booked individuals must complete processing before an eligible bond can be posted.
Bring the correct identification and payment Card transactions must be completed in person at Division 5.
Save the receipt Record the booking number, case number, amount and transaction time.
Track discharge instead of assuming immediate release Release paperwork, property return, GPS installation and holds can delay physical discharge.
Release timing: The Sheriff’s bonding page estimates about two to three hours after posting. The discharge tracker warns that the process can take up to five hours and may take longer in some circumstances.
Start the applicable bond process Track discharge progress
Jail complex guide

Cook County Jail divisions and housing clues

The Department of Corrections spans approximately 96 acres and eight city blocks. The first characters in a housing code identify the division, while the later characters identify the tier or living unit.

Selected active CCDOC housing divisions
Division Address or location Published housing description
Division II 2700 S. California Avenue General-population men with minimum or medium classification in dormitory-style housing.
Division III Annex Within the CCDOC complex Female general population across minimum, medium and maximum classifications.
Division VI 2801 S. Sacramento Avenue Minimum- and medium-security housing.
Division IX 2834 W. 31st Street Medium- and maximum-security housing, protective custody and rehabilitation units.
Division X 2950 S. California Avenue A maximum-security structure currently listed as housing general-population men.
Housing can change. Confirm the division immediately before a visit, delivery or appointment.
Visitation approval

Cook County Jail visitation application and scheduling

Locate the person in custody Confirm the current booking number and division.
Submit a visitor application Applications are available online, in divisional lobbies and at Cook County courthouse entrances.
Complete every field accurately Invalid, inaccurate or unverifiable information can result in denial.
Wait for the background review The Sheriff advises waiting seven business days after submission before asking about status.
Have the person add you to the visitation list The person in custody must identify the family member or friend they wish to visit.
Schedule after approval Use the in-person scheduler or arrange the Microsoft Teams family video visit through staff.

Minor visitor rules

Visitors age 17 or younger do not submit an application
A minor must accompany an approved parent or guardian
High-school-age minors must show current state or school photo ID
Up to three children may accompany one approved adult

Reasons an application may be denied

Open legal status

The applicant is on bond, has an open criminal case or has an outstanding warrant.

Recent correctional discharge

The applicant left CCDOC, IDOC or another verified correctional facility within the previous 60 days.

Supervision or house arrest

The applicant is within the first year of parole or probation or is on house arrest.

Protective order

A protective order applies between the applicant and the person they seek to visit.

Registration problem

The applicant has failed to maintain legally required registry information.

Safety or security issue

A Sheriff supervisor determines that approval would create a facility concern.

Video-visit conduct

No drinking or smoking
No nudity or inappropriate conduct
Follow all CCDOC rules during Microsoft Teams visits
Violations can revoke visiting privileges
Visitor Information Center

773-674-8225

Application status email

doc.visitation@cookcountyil.gov

Re-incarceration rule: A visitor who previously applied must submit a new application if the person was discharged and later returned to custody.
Schedule an approved in-person visit Submit a visitor application
Phone accounts

Cook County inmate phone rates and account help

Published GTL/ViaPath call rates
Call type Published rate
Local $0.05 per minute
Intrastate $0.05 per minute
Interstate $0.05 per minute
Mexico and Canada $0.08 per minute
Other international $0.13 per minute
ViaPath customer support

877-650-4249

Block calls from the facility

866-516-0115

Monitoring notice: Ordinary jail calls can be recorded and monitored. Attorneys who need a non-recordable client line must complete the Sheriff’s attorney-registration process.
Create or fund a phone account
Jail mail

Cook County inmate mailing address and rejection rules

Address ordinary correspondence exactly this way
Full Name of Individual in Custody
Booking Number
2700 S. California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60608
Booking number required: The Sheriff instructs senders to include the person’s name and booking identification number with the address.

Mail that can be rejected

Any prohibited item inside the package
Paper covered or saturated with a foreign substance
Perfume, cologne or other odor
Sticky, wet, greasy or oily paper
Discolored, shrunken or crinkled material
Other contraband under CCDOC rules
Entire-package rule: When any part of a package is prohibited, the entire package can be returned to the sender.

Requesting review of rejected mail

A sender may object in writing within 10 days after receiving the Notice of Returned Mail.

Mail Rejection
Cook County Department of Corrections
2700 S. California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60608
Trust account and commissary

How to send money and avoid a wrong-inmate deposit

Trust office

773-674-6864

Office hours

8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Weekly commissary

Up to $100.

Vendor posting

May take 1–2 business days.

Required detail

Exact name and booking ID.

Approved deposit channels listed by Cook County

Online or telephone

Vendor deposits using the exact booking information.

Currency exchange

Participating exchange facilities can process deposits.

JailATM

Online or supported deposit access.

Postal mail

Follow the current Trust Office payment and addressing instructions.

Lobby kiosks

On-site kiosks are available within the jail complex.

Telephone help

Contact Trust/Finance before sending a large or time-sensitive deposit.

Vendor codes published by the Sheriff

Western Union

City code: CCDOC or Cook County Department of Correction.

Telephone help: 800-225-5227

MoneyGram

Receive code: 1750.

Telephone help: 800-666-4726

Commissary items

Clothing
Stamped envelopes
Toiletries
Phone cards
Supplemental food items
Other approved supplies
Deposit check: Verify current custody and copy the booking number directly from the locator. Deposits sent to the wrong account can be difficult to recover.
Funds after release

Collecting or forwarding Cook County trust funds

In-person collection
Division 5 Lobby
2700 S. California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60608

Hours: 9 a.m.–8:30 p.m.

What to bring

Valid government-issued photo identification, such as a state driver’s license or state ID.

Mailing limitation: The Trust Office can mail funds only to the current address on file. For someone transferred to another correctional or mental-health facility, the receiving facility may need to contact the Trust Office.
Trust/Finance Office

773-674-6864

Hours: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Discharge tracking

How to tell whether release is actually complete

Copy the booking number The discharge tracker organizes release progress by booking identifier.
Open the live discharge board Review whether the person is being evaluated or processed for discharge.
Do not travel based on a release order alone Jail paperwork, property return and monitoring setup can still be pending.
Allow several hours The tracker warns that the process may take up to five hours.
Call when the status stops changing Customer service can help determine whether another hold or operational issue exists.
Open discharge tracker
Statewide criminal history

When the Cook County search is not broad enough

CC
Cook County jail search

Shows current county custody and booking information available through the Sheriff.

CT
Cook County court search

Shows brief docket summaries for historical and active Cook County court cases.

IL
Illinois criminal history

Use the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification process for a statewide criminal-history report.

ID
Illinois prison custody

Use the Illinois Department of Corrections search after transfer to state prison.

US
Federal case or custody

Federal agencies and courts maintain separate records.

FP
Fingerprint purpose

Employment or licensing may require a fingerprint-based check rather than a public name search.

Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification
260 N. Chicago Street
Joliet, IL 60432
Information line

815-740-5160

Scope warning: A Cook County jail or court search is not a complete Illinois, federal or nationwide background check.
Record relief

Cook County expungement and sealing workflow

Expungement and sealing are different. Expungement generally removes eligible records more completely, while sealing restricts public access but can preserve access for law enforcement and other legally authorized users.
Obtain the complete arrest history Identify every arresting agency, arrest date, charge and case number.
Obtain court dispositions Collect the outcome for each charge, including dismissals, supervision, convictions and completed sentences.
Determine which remedy applies Eligibility depends on the charge, disposition, prior history, waiting period and current Illinois law.
Use the approved statewide forms Illinois courts must accept the statewide expungement and sealing forms approved by the Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice.
Add every arrest and case Use the additional-arrest or additional-case pages when the petition involves more records than fit on the main form.
File in the correct Cook County location Chicago arrests can be filed through the applicable Chicago criminal office. Suburban arrests must be filed in the district with jurisdiction over that suburb.
Serve the required agencies Follow the form instructions for notice to prosecutors, police agencies, Illinois State Police and other required parties.
Attend the hearing if one is scheduled Bring dispositions and supporting documents.
Keep certified copies of the signed order Agencies can update on different schedules, and third-party publishers may request proof.

Illinois form-handling rules

Download the PDF before filling it out
Use Adobe Reader or compatible PDF software
Save progress locally
Flatten the completed form before e-filing
Open the flattened copy to verify it
Use additional-case forms when necessary
Eligibility warning: A dismissal does not automatically erase the booking or arrest record. Some convictions can be sealed but not expunged, while other offenses may be excluded from both remedies.
Open the official Illinois forms
Contact directory

Cook County jail and criminal-record phone numbers

Call the office matched to the problem
Office or service Phone Use it for
Corrections customer service 773-674-1945 Bonding, discharge, property, hearing location, trust funds and general jail questions.
Automated help line 773-674-5245 Inmate search, housing, visitation, trust, medical routing, mail and records menu.
Visitor Information Center 773-674-8225 Visitor application status and visitation questions.
Trust/Finance 773-674-6864 Deposits, missing funds, discharged-person funds and transfers.
Business Office 773-674-6866 Corrections business-office questions.
Legal Office 773-674-7683 CCDOC legal-office routing.
Individual in Custody Services 773-674-1979 Service-related requests, including sensitive family notifications.
Electronic Monitoring 877-326-9198 Cook County electronic-monitoring questions.
Criminal Department 312-603-4641 Chicago misdemeanor, preliminary felony, court-date and disposition questions.
Criminal Division 773-674-3140 Chicago felony trial files, sealing, expungement and related motions.
Clerk main office 312-603-5030 General Clerk routing.
Map and directions

Cook County Department of Corrections at 26th and California

Cook County Department of Corrections
2700 S. California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60608
773-674-1945
Confirm before traveling: Verify current custody, division, visitor approval, service hours and the correct building. The jail, Criminal Courthouse and bond room use nearby but different addresses or entrances.
Source-use policy

Why only a few official links remain

Live data

Custody, housing, court events, warrants and discharge progress can change and must be checked live.

Transactions

Visits, deposits, phone accounts, bond forms, records requests and court filings must be completed in the authorized system.

On-page answers

Hours, phone numbers, addresses, rates, eligibility warnings, request details and troubleshooting steps are provided directly here.

Frequently asked questions

Cook County arrest-record questions answered

How do I search Cook County jail inmates?

Use the Sheriff’s Individual in Custody Locator. Begin with the last name and verify the booking number, age, booking date, housing division and court case numbers.

What number can I call for Cook County inmate information?

Call the automated line at 773-674-5245 or Corrections customer service at 773-674-1945. Customer service is available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Why is a new arrest not showing?

The person may remain in police custody, be undergoing intake or have a differently recorded name. Retry later and confirm the arresting agency.

Where can I find a Cook County mugshot?

A booking photograph may appear with an available locator record. It documents jail processing and does not prove guilt.

How do I get the Cook County arrest report?

Request it from the agency that made the arrest. Use Sheriff FOIA for Sheriff reports, Chicago Police FOIA for CPD reports and the corresponding suburban agency for municipal reports.

How do I search Cook County court cases?

Use the Clerk’s online case-information search. Search by case number whenever possible and remember that the online docket is not the official court record.

How do I find the next court date?

Search the case online or call the appropriate criminal office. The Chicago Criminal Department can search using the name, aliases, birth date, arrest year and charge.

Can I post cash bond in a new Cook County case?

Illinois ended cash bail for cases filed on or after September 18, 2023. Older cases may still have legacy cash-bond requirements.

What are the Cook County Division 5 Bond Room hours?

The Bond Room is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, including holidays.

How long does Cook County release take?

The bonding guidance estimates two to three hours after payment, while the live tracker states that discharge can take up to five hours. Monitoring or holds can extend the process.

What is the inmate mailing address?

Use the person’s full name and booking number followed by 2700 S. California Avenue, Chicago, IL 60608.

How much are Cook County inmate calls?

Local, Illinois and interstate calls are currently five cents per minute. Mexico and Canada calls are eight cents, and other international calls are thirteen cents per minute.

How much can someone spend on commissary?

The Sheriff currently lists a maximum of $100 per week for approved clothing, supplies, toiletries, phone cards, envelopes and supplemental food.

How do I apply to visit an inmate?

Submit a visitor application and wait for the background review. The Sheriff advises waiting seven business days before checking application status.

Can children visit Cook County Jail?

Children age 17 or younger do not submit an application but must accompany an approved parent or guardian. A high-school-age minor must show current state or school photo identification.

How do I obtain a certified disposition?

Provide the defendant’s name, date of birth and arrest date. Chicago and suburban cases must be requested from the office that maintains that jurisdiction’s file.

Does a dismissal erase the arrest?

No. A dismissal resolves the court charge but does not automatically remove the police, jail and court records. Eligible people may need to seek expungement.

How do I expunge or seal a Cook County record?

Collect the arrest history and dispositions, complete the approved Illinois forms and file in the Cook County district with jurisdiction over the arrest.

Accuracy, identity and legal-use notice

County Arrest Records is an independent informational guide. It is not the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Cook County Department of Corrections, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Chicago Police Department, Cook County State’s Attorney or Illinois State Police.

Custody, housing, bond, warrant, court and discharge information can change after court action, transfer, release, correction, expungement or sealing. Confirm the person with multiple identifiers and obtain the current official record before making an employment, housing, financial, legal, safety or publication decision.

Every arrested person is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. This guide provides procedural information and is not legal advice.

Last official-source review: July 15, 2026.

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