How do I search Cook County arrest records?

Start with the Cook County Sheriff's official Individual in Custody Locator when the person may currently be in Cook County Jail. Then identify the arresting agency and search the related Circuit Court of Cook County criminal case. There is no single countywide public database containing every historical arrest made by Chicago and all suburban police departments.

How long does a new Cook County Jail booking take to appear?

Cook County states that locator results are typically published approximately four to six hours after the person has been booked and processed. Some people who are released after their first court appearance may never complete full jail booking.

Does the Cook County custody locator show the final court result?

No. The locator documents custody and booking information. Search the Clerk of the Circuit Court's case system and obtain the complaint, amended charge, dismissal, judgment or certified disposition to verify the court outcome.

Where do I request a Cook County Sheriff's arrest report?

Submit a Cook County Sheriff's Office Freedom of Information Act request through its official GovQA portal or by mail to the Sheriff's Freedom of Information Officer at the Richard J. Daley Center. If Chicago Police or a suburban police department made the arrest, request the police report from that separate agency.

How do Cook County Jail visits work?

The person in custody must add the visitor's name to the approved visitation list. Sheriff staff then arrange an in-person or Microsoft Teams family video visit. Visitors should verify the current housing division and contact the Visitor Information Center because schedules depend on the division and living unit.

What is the Cook County Jail mailing address?

Address personal correspondence to the individual's exact custody name and booking identification number at 2700 South California Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60608. Mail sprayed or saturated with perfume, oil or another foreign substance is treated as contraband.

How do I get a free lawyer after an arrest in Cook County?

Call the Cook County Public Defender Arrest Hotline at 844-817-4448. It operates 24 hours a day throughout Chicago and every other Cook County municipality. The arrested person, a friend or a family member may call.

How do I obtain my own Illinois criminal history?

Use Illinois State Police Access and Review through a participating law-enforcement agency, correctional facility or licensed fingerprint vendor. ISP does not charge for processing Access and Review or a Record Challenge, although the fingerprint provider may charge a service fee.

Cook County Arrest Records Search

Q: Which Cook County courthouse has the criminal record?

Chicago cases generally use the First Municipal District. Northern suburbs use Skokie, northwestern suburbs use Rolling Meadows, western suburbs use Maywood, southwestern suburbs use Bridgeview and southern suburbs use Markham. Use the case number or arresting municipality to confirm the correct district.

Q: Can a Cook County arrest record be expunged or sealed?

Some arrests, supervisions and convictions qualify for Illinois expungement or sealing. Obtain the complete arrest record and certified dispositions, use the current statewide forms and file in the Cook County district connected to the case. Expunged records are destroyed as permitted by law, while sealed records remain but are restricted from ordinary public access.

Cook County, Illinois · Sheriff custody, municipal arrests, six court districts and Illinois record relief

Trace a Cook County Arrest From Police Custody to the Correct Court Disposition

Start with the Sheriff’s custody locator, save the booking number and determine which police agency made the arrest. Then route the case to Chicago, Skokie, Rolling Meadows, Maywood, Bridgeview or Markham. The guide also covers reports, booking photos, bonds, visits, mail, calls, commissary, lawyers, victim alerts, record correction and expungement.

Search Cook County custody Search criminal court cases Find the correct courthouse

COOK COUNTY RECORD ROUTER SIX DISTRICTS

D1CHICAGO

D2SKOKIE

D3ROLLING

D4MAYWOOD

D5BRIDGEVIEW

D6MARKHAM

SHERIFF CUSTODY

BOOKING + DISTRICT + OUTCOME VERIFIED

Cook County arrest records are not held in one universal database. The Sheriff maintains jail custody and Sheriff’s Police records. Chicago Police and suburban municipal departments maintain their own arrest reports. The Circuit Court Clerk maintains the criminal court case.

An arrest is not a conviction. Booking charges are allegations. Prosecutors may reject, amend or dismiss them, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless guilt is established in court.

Booking delayNew custody records typically appear after 4–6 hours.

Automated custody line773-674-5245 in English or Spanish.

Court systemChicago plus five suburban municipal districts.

Free arrest lawyerCall 844-817-4448, 24 hours every day.

Current reviewOfficial procedures checked July 22, 2026.

Start here

Choose the Cook County record that solves the problem

SHERIFF CUSTODY LOCATOR Is the person currently in Cook County Jail?Find the booking number, photograph, housing division, custody information and court details when displayed. Best for a person processed into Cook County Department of Corrections custody.

ARRESTING POLICE AGENCY What did officers report?Request the arrest report, incident narrative, complaint report or releasable evidence from the agency that made the arrest. Chicago Police, Sheriff’s Police and suburban police are separate custodians.

CIRCUIT COURT CLERK What happened to the criminal charge?Search the complaint, amended charges, warrants, hearings, plea, dismissal, judgment and sentence. Use the correct Chicago or suburban municipal district.

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE What appears in the statewide history?Use a UCIA conviction-information search or fingerprint-supported Access and Review for your own record. A county jail search is not a complete Illinois background check.

Reliable sequence: Check custody, save the booking number, identify the arresting agency, locate the correct court district and obtain the final disposition when formal proof is needed.

Official custody lookup

How to search the Cook County individual-in-custody locator

Open the official Sheriff locator Use the Sheriff-hosted system—not an advertisement or private people-search service. Open the Cook County custody locator

Search the full legal name Start with the surname when spelling, middle name or suffix is uncertain.

Open every plausible result Common names can belong to unrelated people.

Match the booking photograph carefully A photograph supports identification but should not be the only match.

Confirm the booking number Save the exact booking identification number for mail, funds, calls, visits and records questions.

Record the housing location The first characters identify the division; the later characters identify the tier or living unit.

Read each charge and case separately One custody event can involve several cases, warrants or detainers.

Save the listed courthouse and case information Use it to route the case to District 1–6.

Call when the locator does not answer the question Use the automated English and Spanish line at 773-674-5245.

Continue to the Clerk’s court case The custody entry does not establish the final prosecutor filing or court result. Search the Cook County court docket

Locator records typically appear approximately four to six hours after booking and processing. A person released after the first court appearance may leave before full jail booking or before a booking photograph is created.

Countywide arrest routing

Identify which police agency owns the arrest report

Cook County jail custody does not determine who created the arrest report
Arrest situation	Starting record source	Useful identifier	Correct next step
Arrest inside Chicago by CPD	Chicago Police Department	Central booking or CPD report number	Use CPD adult arrest search and CPD Records procedures.
Sheriff’s Police arrest	Cook County Sheriff’s Police	Sheriff report number	Submit a Sheriff FOIA request.
Suburban municipal arrest	The named city or village police department	Municipal police report number	Use that department’s public-record process.
Illinois State Police arrest	Illinois State Police	ISP case or incident number	Request the record from ISP.
Federal arrest or federal hold	The federal agency and federal court	Federal agency or case number	Search the correct federal custodian and PACER court file.
Uncertain arresting agency	Cook County custody record and court docket	Booking number and criminal case number	Use both records to identify the originating agency.

Search adult CPD arrests Request a Chicago Police report Request a Sheriff record

Sheriff’s Police primarily provide police services in unincorporated Cook County and certain contracted areas. Chicago Police is a separate agency, and each suburban municipality may maintain its own police records.

Booking-field decoder

Understand the Cook County custody result

What the public fields identify—and what they cannot prove
Field	What it identifies	What it does not prove	Next action
Booking identification number	A Cook County Jail intake identity.	The final criminal disposition.	Use it for jail services and record matching.
Booking photograph	A photograph associated with jail processing.	Guilt, conviction or identity by itself.	Match the number, birth information and case.
Booking date	When jail processing was recorded.	The exact offense date.	Compare the police report and court filing.
Charge	An allegation associated with arrest or intake.	The charge prosecutors ultimately filed.	Read the complaint, information or indictment.
Housing division	The current jail division or treatment location.	The assignment will remain unchanged.	Recheck before visiting or calling a division.
Tier or living unit	The unit used to determine visitation routing.	A permanent housing assignment.	Use current Sheriff instructions.
Court location	The courthouse connected to the listed criminal matter.	Every later hearing remains there.	Verify the newest docket entry.
Release or discharge	The local custody event ended.	Dismissal or acquittal.	Search the court result.
Bond entry	A monetary order may apply to an older case.	A new case requires cash bail.	Confirm the filing date and current order.
Hold or detainer	Another agency or matter may affect release.	The local case controls total custody.	Ask which agency owns the hold.

Identity safeguard

Confirm the right person before using the record

Full legal name matches

Middle name, alias or suffix is consistent

Date of birth or age matches

Booking date matches the known event

Booking identification number matches

Arresting agency matches the location

Court case follows the same arrest

Charge and incident details are consistent

Minimum standard: Match at least two independent identifiers before sending money, publishing an allegation, making a safety decision or treating a record as belonging to a specific person.

No-result troubleshooting

Why a Cook County arrest or booking may be missing

Booking is still underway Public custody results normally appear after the person has been fully booked and processed.

The person was released before full jail booking A defendant may leave after the initial court appearance without a completed Cook County booking record.

The name is recorded differently Try aliases, maiden names, hyphenated surnames, suffixes and alternate spellings.

The person is held by another county Search where the person was physically booked—not only where the arrest occurred.

The person is in local police custody A new arrestee may remain at a municipal police station before court or county transfer.

The court case is too new Online docket updates may take several days.

The person entered federal or state custody Check federal detention or Illinois Department of Corrections when applicable.

The record was expunged or restricted Juvenile, expunged, sealed and legally confidential information may be unavailable publicly.

Missing-custody call script

I am trying to confirm the custody status of [full legal name], date of birth [date]. The arrest may have occurred on [date] through [agency]. Can you confirm whether the person is still being processed, currently held, released, transferred or listed under another booking number?

Missing booking photograph

Cook County states that readily available digital archive booking photographs generally extend from 2009 forward. If the locator produces no photograph, request it from the arresting agency or contact the Sheriff with the person’s full name and available booking details.

Automated custody information: 773-674-5245 Corrections Customer Service: 773-674-1945 Available seven days a week, 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.

Arrest-to-disposition path

What happens after a Cook County arrest?

Police arrest and report Chicago Police, Sheriff’s Police, suburban police, ISP or another agency creates the arrest and incident records.

Police-station legal access The arrested person or family can call the free Public Defender Arrest Hotline before questioning continues.

First appearance The court addresses counsel, probable cause, release conditions and any detention request.

Release or jail processing The person may be released, placed on supervision or processed into Cook County Jail.

Prosecutor filing The State’s Attorney may file, reject, reduce, replace or add charges.

Correct municipal district The arrest location and court assignment route the matter to District 1–6.

Pretrial proceedings The case may involve discovery, motions, amended charges, warrants, negotiations and hearings.

Final disposition Each count can end through dismissal, supervision, acquittal, plea, conviction or another order.

Correction or record clearing Incorrect information may be corrected, while eligible records may qualify for expungement or sealing.

Six-district court router

Find the correct Cook County criminal courthouse

Use the arrest location, police department or case number to confirm the district
District	General area and examples	Clerk location	Criminal contact
District 1 – Chicago	City of Chicago criminal matters and Chicago branch courts	50 W. Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602	312-603-4641
District 2 – Skokie	Northern suburbs including Evanston, Skokie, Niles, Park Ridge, Wilmette, Glenview and Northbrook	5600 Old Orchard Road, Room 136, Skokie, IL 60077	847-470-7250
District 3 – Rolling Meadows	Northwestern suburbs including Arlington Heights, Palatine, Schaumburg, Rolling Meadows, Mount Prospect and Hoffman Estates	2121 Euclid Avenue, Room 121, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008	847-818-3000
District 4 – Maywood	Western Cook County municipalities and townships	1500 Maybrook Drive, Room 236, Maywood, IL 60153	708-865-6040
District 5 – Bridgeview	Southwestern Cook County municipalities and townships	10220 S. 76th Avenue, Room 121, Bridgeview, IL 60455	708-974-6500
District 6 – Markham	Southern Cook County municipalities and townships	16501 S. Kedzie Parkway, Room 119, Markham, IL 60428	708-232-4551

Some municipalities cross county or district boundaries. Use the actual case number, courthouse printed on the release paperwork or newest docket entry when the location is uncertain.

Open all district criminal contacts

Criminal case verification

Search the filed charges and court outcome

The Clerk’s online docket is a general-status resource—not the official court record. New filings and events may take several days to appear.

Open the official Clerk case search Use the Circuit Court Clerk system. Search Cook County criminal cases

Use the case number first This is safer than searching a common name.

Otherwise search the legal name Compare aliases, date of birth, arrest year, charges and courthouse.

Confirm the municipal district Do not request a suburban disposition from the Chicago Criminal Department.

Locate the formal complaint This identifies the charge filed in court.

Review later charging documents An information, indictment or amended complaint may change the original charge.

Read warrant entries in date order A warrant-issued entry may later be followed by service, recall or vacation.

Check every count separately Different counts can have different results.

Find the final disposition Look for dismissal, supervision, acquittal, plea, conviction, judgment and sentence.

Use a courthouse terminal for urgent recent events Public-access terminals can help when the online docket has not updated.

Do not stop at these general status labels

Read the actual disposition for every criminal count
Status	What it may mean	What to verify
Pending or active	The case has not reached final disposition.	Newest hearing, release conditions and next court date.
Dismissed	The specified charge ended without conviction.	Whether every count was dismissed.
Supervision	A qualifying disposition may avoid a conviction if successfully completed.	Completion and expungement eligibility.
Acquitted	The defendant was found not guilty of that count.	Whether another count remained.
Guilty or plea	A conviction or plea resolved the specified charge.	Judgment, sentence and sealing eligibility.
Closed	The case is no longer active.	Closed alone does not explain the result.

Official court proof

Review the file or obtain a certified disposition

Chicago case

Use District 1 Criminal Department.
Provide the defendant’s name.
Provide the date of birth.
Provide the arrest date.
File review is available at the Daley Center Court File Request Counter.

Suburban case

Contact Skokie, Rolling Meadows, Maywood, Bridgeview or Markham.
Provide the district case number.
Provide accurate defendant identity details.
Request the dismissal, judgment or complete disposition.
State whether certification is required.

Chicago Criminal Department file review Richard J. Daley Center, Room 1006 50 W. Washington Street Chicago, IL 60602 Telephone: 312-603-4641

For Chicago files from approximately the past four years, the physical file is usually onsite unless it is currently in court. Bring valid photo identification. Older files or archived cases can require retrieval time.

Copy-ready disposition request

I request an ordinary electronic copy and the current price for a certified disposition in State of Illinois v. [defendant], case number [number]. The defendant’s date of birth is [date], the arrest occurred on [date] and the case was assigned to District [number] at [courthouse]. Please include the disposition for every count.

Sheriff FOIA request

Request Cook County Sheriff’s Police or jail records

The Sheriff is independent from Chicago Police and suburban police departments. Submit a Sheriff FOIA only for records maintained by the Sheriff’s Office.

Confirm the Sheriff maintains the record Sheriff’s Police reports, jail records and specified Sheriff documents use the Sheriff FOIA process.

Name the exact document Request the arrest report, incident report, booking record, jail record, booking photograph or identified supplement.

Add every known identifier Include the full name, birth date, Sheriff report number, booking number, event date, location and criminal case number.

Use the official GovQA portal Create a request, upload supporting information and retain the tracking number. Submit the Sheriff FOIA request

Request electronic delivery Digital copies can reduce printing and mailing work.

Set a cost limit Ask for written approval before charges exceed a stated amount.

Ask for the legal basis for redactions Some law-enforcement, victim, juvenile, medical and personal information may be withheld.

Save the response and attachments Keep the request text, tracking history and released files.

Copy-ready Sheriff records request

Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, I request an electronic copy of the releasable arrest report, incident report, booking record, booking photograph and identified supplements concerning [full legal name] for the event on [date] at [location]. Known identifiers include Sheriff report number [number], Cook County booking number [number] and Circuit Court case number [number]. Please provide a written cost estimate before processing if charges will exceed $[amount], and identify the legal basis for information withheld or redacted.

Mail option Cook County Sheriff’s Office Attn: Freedom of Information Officer Richard J. Daley Center, Room 704 50 W. Washington Street Chicago, IL 60602

Warrant verification

Check a possible Cook County bench warrant safely

Identify the possible criminal case Use the case number from prior paperwork, a notice, booking record or court search.

Search the Clerk’s docket Look for a warrant-issued entry and every later order. Search the Cook County docket

Read the newest entry A warrant may later be served, quashed, recalled or vacated.

Confirm the district and court Do not call Chicago Criminal Department about an unrelated suburban matter.

Call the correct Clerk district Provide the case number, names, aliases, birth date, arrest year and charge.

Call the Public Defender Arrest Hotline Hotline lawyers can provide information about outstanding Cook County bench warrants. Call 844-817-4448

Never confront or attempt to detain anyone. A same-name result, delayed docket or recalled warrant can create a serious mistake.

Scam warning: Do not pay an unexpected warrant demand through gift cards, cryptocurrency, QR codes or an unverified text link. Contact the Clerk or court using an independently verified number.

Pretrial release and legacy bond

Understand release after a Cook County arrest

Illinois stopped requiring money for pretrial release in new criminal cases beginning September 18, 2023. A judge now decides release conditions or detention under the Pretrial Fairness Act. Cases filed before that date may still contain an older cash-bond requirement.

Release with conditionsThe defendant may be released without paying money but must follow all court-ordered conditions.

Pretrial supervisionReporting, electronic monitoring, location restrictions or other supervision may be ordered.

Detention hearingThe State may seek detention in a legally eligible case.

Legacy cash bondAn older case filed before September 18, 2023 may still require a monetary transaction.

Before paying any legacy bond

Confirm the exact defendant and booking number

Confirm the case was filed before September 18, 2023

Confirm the current amount and newest court order

Check every warrant and outside hold

Ask whether GPS placement will delay release

Bring the payment card and valid photo ID for card payment

Keep the receipt and bond number

Confirm the next court date and release conditions

Cook County legacy-bond locations and practical rules
Location	Published hours	Payment information	Important limit
Division 5, 2700 S. California Avenue	10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., 365 days	Cash, qualifying certified check and in-person credit or debit card	Card transaction has a 2.13% nonrefundable service fee.
Skokie, Rolling Meadows, Maywood, Bridgeview or Markham courthouse	Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m., excluding holidays	Confirm acceptable method with the Clerk	Use the courthouse connected to the case.

Personal checks and money orders are not accepted for Cook County bonding. Certified checks require bank verification. After a qualifying bond is posted, ordinary discharge may take approximately two to three hours and can take longer when GPS monitoring must be installed.

Review current Cook County bonding

Free police-station lawyer

Call the Cook County Public Defender Arrest Hotline

Free and countywide: Call 844-817-4448 at any hour. The service covers Chicago and every other city, village and town in Cook County.

Call as soon as police custody is known The arrested person, friend or family member may call.

Provide the full legal name Add the age or date of birth, police agency, station and approximate arrest time.

Tell the arrested person to request an attorney The person should clearly state that questioning must stop until counsel is present.

Use the right to remain silent Even a small statement can later be used as evidence.

Avoid discussing case facts on personal calls Ordinary police and jail calls may not be confidential.

Request appointed counsel in court Police-station representation does not replace the court appointment process.

Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender 69 W. Washington Street Chicago, IL 60602 Main Office: 312-603-0600 Arrest Hotline: 844-817-4448

Open the official Arrest Hotline guide

In-person and Microsoft Teams visits

Arrange a current Cook County Jail visit

Do not use an old division schedule without verification. Current visitation depends on the individual’s housing division, tier, approval list and Sheriff scheduling instructions.

Confirm current custody and housing Use the locator or call 773-674-5245.

Record the division and tier The first part of the housing code identifies the division; the second identifies the living unit.

Ask the individual to add your name The person in custody must place the visitor on the visitation list.

Wait for Sheriff scheduling contact Staff arrange the current visit date and time.

Schedule an in-person visit when directed Use the official Cook County visitation scheduler. Open in-person visitation scheduling

Create a Microsoft Teams account for family video Use an active email address and the division’s instructions.

Bring valid photo identification The identity must match the approved visitation information.

Recheck the housing location before travel A transfer, medical move, discharge or operational restriction can affect the visit.

Visitor Information Center: 773-674-8225 Alternate visitation line: 773-674-8194 ADA accommodation questions: 773-674-7768

Review current Cook County visitation

Visitor conduct

Prevent a denied or terminated jail visit

Prepare before the visit

Confirm approval, division, tier, date and entrance.
Bring current government photo identification.
Follow reasonable-accommodation instructions.
Arrive with enough time for security screening.
Follow every staff instruction.

Do not bring or display

Weapons or contraband
Cell phones or recording devices when prohibited
Alcohol, cigarettes or drugs during video visits
Nudity or sexually inappropriate conduct
Gang symbols or obscene material

Dress-code preparation

No miniskirts or unduly revealing shorts

No low-cut or transparent clothing

No tank, tube, halter or spaghetti-strap tops

No exposed stomach, back or undergarments

No gang or obscene symbols

No clothing resembling staff or jail uniforms

No sagging clothing exposing undergarments

Be prepared to clear security screening

Drinking, smoking, inappropriate conduct or nudity during a Microsoft Teams visit can result in termination and revocation of visiting privileges.

Cook County Jail mail

Address personal mail correctly

Personal correspondence format Individual in Custody Name Booking Identification Number 2700 S. California Avenue Chicago, IL 60608

Confirm current custody Recheck the locator before sending the letter.

Use the exact custody name Match the spelling displayed in the Sheriff locator.

Add the booking identification number Obtain it online or through 773-674-5245.

Keep the contents simple Do not send items available through commissary or anything that creates a safety risk.

Do not spray or coat the paper Perfume, cologne, oil, grease or another foreign substance causes the mail to be treated as contraband.

Appeal returned mail within 10 days Send written objections after receiving a Notice of Returned Mail.

Common prohibited mail items

Cash or altered money orders

Clothing, food or candy

Medicine or medical supplies

Keys, cards, jewelry or identification

Glue, tape, wire or binding material

Pens, pencils or markers

Weapon, money or gang-sign images

More than three paperback books or magazines per mailing

Returned-mail review address

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

Review the complete mail rules

Trust account and commissary

Add money to the correct inmate account

Cook County allows an individual in custody to purchase up to $100 of commissary clothing, supplies, phone cards, toiletries and supplemental food each week.

Approved trust-account deposit methods
Method	Information required	Processing rule
Western Union	Exact custody name, booking number and city code CCDOC or COOK COUNTY DEPT CORRECTION	Online and telephone deposits normally take 1–2 business days.
MoneyGram	Exact custody name, booking number and receive code 1750	Verify the identity before payment.
JailATM	Exact custody name and booking number	Register through the approved JailATM service.
Postal money order	Payable to the exact custody name and booking number	Maximum $100 per money order.
Cashier’s check	Payable to the exact custody name and booking number	Maximum $1,000 per cashier’s check.
Jail lobby kiosk	Custody identity and booking number	Cash or card deposits are available at listed compound kiosks.

Never mail cash. Money orders and cashier’s checks may take up to five business days after receipt to post.

Trust/Finance Office: 773-674-6864 Published hours: 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Review every deposit option

Calls and communication

Set up a Cook County Jail phone account

Published ViaPath calling rates
Call type	Published rate	Practical action
Local	$0.05 per minute	Create the approved prepaid account.
Illinois intrastate	$0.05 per minute	Confirm the receiving number is not blocked.
Interstate	$0.05 per minute	Fund the correct account before the call.
Mexico or Canada	$0.08 per minute	Confirm international eligibility.
Other international	$0.13 per minute	Review provider restrictions before funding.

Confirm the current booking number Use the Sheriff locator immediately before creating the account.

Create a ViaPath ConnectNetwork account Follow the facility and payment prompts. Set up Cook County inmate calls

Fund the correct service Do not confuse trust funds with the prepaid telephone account.

Keep confidential case facts off ordinary calls Personal calls may be monitored or recorded.

Attorneys should register protected numbers Counsel must follow the Sheriff’s process to request that an attorney number be treated as non-recordable.

ViaPath family support: 877-650-4249 Call-blocking assistance: 866-516-0115

Medical, mental health and complaints

Report an urgent inmate health or welfare concern

Immediate medical or mental-health concern

Call the live 24-hour Mental Health Hotline. 773-674-2273 or 773-674-CARE

General jail service concern

Use Corrections Customer Service for discharge, property, court, trust-account and service questions. 773-674-1945

Visitor assistance

Use the Visitor Information Center for applications and current in-person or video scheduling. 773-674-8225

Customer complaint

Use the Sheriff’s Corrections comments and complaints line. 773-674-1866

Health-concern call script

I am calling about [full legal name], Cook County booking number [number], housed in [division and tier]. The immediate concern is [medication, self-harm risk, psychiatric crisis, injury or other issue]. The relevant symptoms or facts are [brief facts], beginning on [date and time]. Please document the concern and route it to the appropriate medical or mental-health staff.

Cook County Sheriff does not maintain the individual’s medical chart. Formal jail medical-record requests are handled through Cermak Health Services and Cook County Health.

Victim notification and advocacy

Register for custody release and court-date alerts

Collect the identifying information Have the defendant’s name, date of birth, IR number, booking number, police report number or 11-digit court case number.

Register by telephone Call Cook County Automatic Victim Notification at 877-846-3445.

Register for text or email alerts Use VINElink for available digital notifications. Open VINElink

Receive custody information Alerts may cover county custody status and release.

Receive court information The service can provide the next court date, number of charges and certain release conditions.

Contact a victim advocate Ask for court orientation, rights information, impact-statement assistance, counseling referrals, safety planning or financial-assistance guidance.

Cook County State’s Attorney Victim Witness Unit 2650 S. California Avenue, 1st Floor Chicago, IL 60608 Telephone: 773-674-7200

Open Cook County victim notifications Open Victim Witness services

Illinois state custody

Use IDOC after a transfer to state prison

Use the IDOC search for

A person currently recorded in Illinois state correctional custody
The IDOC number and assigned institution
State-prison mail and visitation planning
Sentence or release information when displayed

Do not use IDOC alone for

A recent municipal arrest
A current Cook County Jail detainee
The formal Cook County charging document
The certified judgment or sentence
A complete statewide criminal-history report

Search by IDOC number when known A correctional number is safer than a common-name search.

Otherwise use the full legal name Compare all available identity details.

Save the current facility State-prison communication rules depend on the assigned institution.

Return to the Cook County judgment IDOC custody information is not the official conviction document. Search Illinois state custody

Illinois criminal history

Choose a UCIA search or fingerprint Access and Review

Public conviction-information search

Illinois UCIA public information is conviction information.
Electronic name inquiry: $10.
Manual name inquiry: $16.
Electronic fingerprint-card inquiry: $15.
Manual fingerprint-card inquiry: $20.

Personal Access and Review

Used to receive your own Illinois criminal-history transcript.
Requires fingerprints and identifying information.
ISP processing has no charge.
The fingerprinting provider may charge.
The result includes a Record Challenge form.

Use county records for the local case first A paid statewide search is unnecessary when only one known Cook County case is needed.

Use Access and Review for your own record Visit a participating law-enforcement agency, correctional facility or licensed fingerprint vendor. Open ISP Access and Review

Provide fingerprints and identification The submission links the transcript to the correct person.

Review every arrest and disposition Compare the transcript with the certified Cook County court result.

Use the included Record Challenge form Explain inaccurate or incomplete information and attach supporting documents.

Keep the written ISP response ISP will state what correction was made or why no correction was made.

Check current ISP fees

Record correction

Correct a wrong identity, arrest or disposition

Identify which system is wrong Compare the police report, Sheriff custody result, Clerk docket and ISP transcript.

Save the disputed display Record the URL, date, booking number, police report number, court case number and incorrect field.

Obtain the controlling record Use the arrest report, certified dismissal, amended judgment, sentence or identity document.

Correct the originating source first The police agency corrects its report. The Clerk or court corrects the court file.

Complete ISP Access and Review Obtain the fingerprint-linked statewide transcript.

Submit the Record Challenge Identify the disputed item and include the strongest official proof.

Recheck every connected database A court correction may not immediately update the jail locator, ISP or a private background report.

Correction is not expungement: Correct a record when the data is factually wrong. Seek expungement or sealing when the information is accurate but may qualify for legal restriction.

Illinois record clearing

Expunge or seal an eligible Cook County record

Expungement

Qualifying police and court records are destroyed or removed as directed by the order and Illinois law.

Sealing

The record remains but is restricted from ordinary public access. Authorized government and criminal-justice users may retain access.

A dismissed charge does not automatically disappear from police, court, ISP and private systems. Complete the required record-clearing process unless automatic relief specifically applies.

Collect these records before filing

Police RAP sheet or arrest record

Cook County booking numbers

All criminal case numbers

Certified disposition for every case

ISP Access and Review when useful

Supervision or sentence completion dates

Current legal name and contact information

Fee-waiver documents when applicable

Identify every Cook County arrest Include Chicago and suburban arrests that must be listed.

Obtain certified dispositions Request each disposition from the correct municipal district.

Check eligibility for each case The arrest result, supervision, conviction, offense and waiting period determine the available relief.

Use the revised 2026 statewide forms Illinois Courts revised the adult expungement and sealing forms in June 2026. Download current Illinois forms

List all required cases and arresting agencies Incomplete case lists can delay or limit relief.

File in the Cook County district connected to the case Chicago and suburban cases use the appropriate Clerk location.

Request a fee waiver when eligible Use the current Illinois court fee-waiver forms rather than abandoning the filing.

Complete service and notice Send the required notice to the State’s Attorney, arresting agencies and Illinois State Police.

Attend the hearing when required Bring the request, dispositions, proof of service and proposed order.

Keep certified copies of the signed order Use them to verify updates with police, Sheriff, Clerk, ISP and private background companies.

Adult Expungement Advice Desk Richard J. Daley Center, 10th Floor, Room 1006 50 W. Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602 Published hours: Monday–Wednesday, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Open Cook County clearing guidance

Illinois State Police charges no fee to file an expungement or sealing petition with ISP, but currently lists a $60 processing charge for an entered court order. Court filing, certification and service charges are separate and should be confirmed with the applicable Cook County district.

Contact board

Cook County arrest, jail and court contacts

Cook County Jail Information

2700 S. California Avenue Chicago, IL 60608

773-674-5245

Corrections Customer Service773-674-1945 Daily, 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.

Visitor Information Center773-674-8225 Alternate: 773-674-8194

Trust/Finance Office773-674-6864 Published hours: 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Mental Health Care Line773-674-2273 Live assistance, 24 hours.

Cook County Sheriff’s Police708-865-4700 Non-emergency: 847-635-1188

Criminal Department

Daley Center, Room 1006 50 W. Washington Street

312-603-4641

Public Defender Arrest Hotline844-817-4448 Free countywide legal help, 24/7.

Victim Witness Unit

2650 S. California Avenue Chicago, IL 60608

773-674-7200

Electronic Monitoring877-326-9198 Use for current Cook County EM questions.

Cook County Jail map

Richard J. Daley Center map

Confirm before traveling: Recheck custody, housing division, courthouse district, office hours, visit approval, required identification, payment method and holiday closures.

Practical information inside this page

Cook County details users do not need to research again

Countywide record routingClear separation between Sheriff custody, CPD, Sheriff’s Police, suburban police, court files and ISP history.

Six courthouse districtsAddresses, telephone numbers and geographic guidance for Chicago plus five suburban districts.

Release and legacy bondPretrial Fairness Act explanation, older bond locations, card fee and expected discharge time.

Jail servicesCurrent visitation process, mail address, prohibited items, trust limits, deposit methods and calling rates.

Immediate helpPublic Defender hotline, mental-health Care Line, victim alerts, advocacy and customer-service contacts.

Correction and clearingISP fees, fingerprint Access and Review, Record Challenge and revised 2026 expungement forms.

Title-related questions

Cook County arrest-record questions answered

How do I search current Cook County Jail custody?

Use the official Individual in Custody Locator at iic.ccsheriff.org and verify the booking number, photograph, housing information and court details.

How quickly does a new booking appear?

Cook County states that locator records typically appear approximately four to six hours after booking and processing.

Does the Sheriff locator contain every Cook County arrest?

No. It focuses on people processed into Sheriff custody. Chicago Police and suburban police departments maintain separate arrest records.

How do I find the final court outcome?

Search the Clerk’s online criminal docket, identify the correct municipal district and obtain the complaint, dismissal, judgment or certified disposition.

Which courthouse handles a suburban arrest?

Northern suburbs generally use Skokie, northwestern suburbs use Rolling Meadows, western suburbs use Maywood, southwestern suburbs use Bridgeview and southern suburbs use Markham.

How do I request a Sheriff arrest report?

Use the Cook County Sheriff FOIA portal and provide the full name, date, location, Sheriff report number, booking number and court case number.

How do I arrange a Cook County Jail visit?

The person in custody must add the visitor to the approved list. Sheriff staff then arrange the current in-person or Microsoft Teams visit.

Where do I send inmate mail?

Send it to the person’s exact custody name and booking number at 2700 S. California Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60608.

How do I get a free lawyer after an arrest?

Call the Cook County Public Defender Arrest Hotline at 844-817-4448. It operates 24 hours a day throughout Cook County.

Can the arrest record be expunged or sealed?

Some Illinois arrests, supervisions and convictions qualify. Obtain certified dispositions, use the current statewide forms and file in the Cook County district connected to the case.

Accuracy, identity and legal-use notice Arrest Records is an independent informational guide. It is not the Cook County Sheriff, Chicago Police Department, any suburban police agency, Circuit Court Clerk, Public Defender, State’s Attorney, Illinois State Police or a law firm. Custody, housing, release, warrant, court and visitation information can change. Verify multiple identifiers and obtain the current official record before making a legal, employment, housing, financial, safety or publication decision. Every arrested person is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. This guide provides general procedural information and is not legal advice.

Last official-source review: July 22, 2026.