Cook County, Illinois Inmate Search
An inmate search is a public lookup tool that provides information about individuals incarcerated at local, state, or federal detention facilities. In Cook County, inmate searches include official access tools maintained by the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC), and the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP).
The Cook County Sheriff’s Office Individuals In Custody Locator is the official inmate search for locating individuals incarcerated at local jails. Likewise, the IDOC Individual in Custody Search provides information about individuals housed at the North Lawndale Adult Transition Center, and interested parties can use the BOP Federal Inmate Locator to search for persons held in federal custody at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) Chicago.
While municipal police departments with short-term holding facilities, such as the Elgin Police Department and the Cicero Police Department, do not host independent online inmate search portals, the Chicago Police Department operates a public arrest search database. However, official access to Cook County jail custody records is through the Cook County Sheriff’s Office Individual in Custody Locator. The details accessible through this portal include:
- The inmate’s full legal name, age, gender, and mugshot
- Booking number and arrest dates
- Booking date and time
- Custody status and location
- Criminal charges against the inmate
- Bail or bond amount
- Court dates and locations.
For further information about individuals in custody at Cook County local adult jail facilities, contact the Cook County Sheriff’s Office Headquarters or its Department of Corrections at the following addresses:
Cook County Sheriff’s Office
Richard J. Daley Center
50 W. Washington Street, Room 704
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: (312) 603-6444
Cook County Department of Corrections
2700 South California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60608
Phone: (773) 674-1979
How to Find an Inmate in Cook County Jail
In Cook County, individuals can access local inmate records through the county’s Sheriff’s Office online portal. To find Cook County inmate records, visit the Cook County Sheriff’s Office Individual in Custody Locator. Information seekers can search for records using inmates' full legal names or booking numbers. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office Individual in Custody Locator is the official tool for tracking inmates at the Cook County jail complex. Record seekers can also contact the Cook County Sheriff’s Office or the Cook County Department of Corrections at the following locations.
Cook County Sheriff’s Office
Richard J. Daley Center
50 W. Washington Street, Room 704
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: (312) 603-6444
Cook County Jail
2700 South California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60608
Phone: (773) 674-1979
How to Use the Cook County Jail Roster
In Cook County, official digital access to the local jail roster is through the Cook County Sheriff’s Office Individual in Custody Locator. The following steps outline how to use Cook County's official inmate locator to access the county's jail roster:
- Visit the Cook County Sheriff’s Office website.
- Click the search icon above the “Individual in Custody Locator” banner.
- On the new page, check the “Terms and Conditions” box and click “Start”.
- Click “Search for an Individual in Custody” to access the search tool.
- Enter the inmate’s full name or booking number into the appropriate search field.
- Check the “reCAPTCHA” box.
- Submit the query and review the results.
What Information is Included in the Cook County Inmate Roster
The Cook County Sheriff’s Office Individual in Custody Locator provides information about individuals housed at the Cook County jail complex. This platform provides public-facing details, including:
- The inmate’s full legal name, age, gender, and mugshot
- Booking number,
- Date and time of arrest
- General charge description
- Housing or unit location
- Custody or release status
- Court dates (if available).
While inmate records are public information under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, state law exempts certain records from public access. Unauthorized persons cannot access juvenile or sealed records. Likewise, access to protected demographic and medical data is restricted, and individuals serving active sentences cannot access Cook County inmate records.
Contact Details for Cook County Jail or Sheriff’s Office
While the Cook County Sheriff’s Office maintains a digital jail roster, it also permits mail and in-person access to the county’s inmate records. For offline access to Cook County jail records, interested parties should contact the Cook County Sheriff’s Office Headquarters or the agency's Department of Corrections using the following details:
Cook County Sheriff’s Office
Richard J. Daley Center
50 W. Washington Street, Room 704
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: (312) 603-6444
Cook County Department of Corrections
2700 South California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60608
Phone: (773) 674-1979, (773) 674-5245, (773) 674-1945
| Agency | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Cook County Sheriff’s Office | Richard J. Daley Center 50 W. Washington Street, Room 704 Chicago, IL 60602 | (312) 603-6444 |
| Cook County Department of Corrections | 2700 South California Avenue Chicago, IL 60608 | (773) 674-5245 (inmate information), (773) 674-8225 (visitation information), (773) 674-1945 (customer information). |
Jail Facility Overview in Cook County
Cook County operates a single-site jail facility comprising several divisions structured by security levels. The Cook County jail complex is one of the largest pretrial detention facilities in the United States. Spanning 96 acres, the Cook County Jail Complex has a maximum capacity of approximately 10,000 inmates with an average daily population of 5,000 to 9,000.
Male detainees make up 93% to 95% of individuals incarcerated at the Cook County jail complex, while females account for roughly 5% of the population. This Cook County jail complex has minimum, medium, maximum, and psychiatric divisions, as well as dedicated housing units for juveniles charged as adults.
Additionally, Cook County operates a juvenile detention facility. The Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC), administered by the Office of the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, provides secure housing for youths aged 10 to 18 awaiting legal proceedings or judicial disposition in the Juvenile Court or adult criminal justice system.
Individuals who need to contact the Cook County jail complex managed by the Cook County Department of Corrections or the JTDC can use the details in the table.
| Agency | Office and Mail Address | Phone Number | Office Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cook County Jail Complex (Cook County Department of Corrections) | 2700 South California Avenue, Chicago, IL 60608 | (773) 674-5245 (inmate information), (773) 674-8225 (visitation information), (773) 674-1945 (customer information) | Security and housing operations - 24/7 Inmate information and customer help - 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sundays through Saturdays Finance/commissary - 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Mondays through Fridays Visitation hours - vary with housing units, but typically range from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. | Visitation inquiries - DOC.visitation@ccsheriff.org ADA accommodation - CCSO.ADA@ccsheriff.org Customer service - ccso.feedback@ccsheriff.org |
| Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center | 1100 S. Hamilton Avenue, Chicago, IL 60612 | (312) 433-7102 (main line), (312) 433-5333 (Juvenile Division Clerk) | Facility operations and intake - 24/7 Administrative and business office - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays Clerk of the Circuit Court (Juvenile Division) - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays | JuvenileDiservices@cookcountycourt.com. |
How to Send Money to an Inmate in Cook County Department of Corrections
The Cook County Sheriff’s Office provides several options for depositing money into Individual in Custody Trust Funds. Friends and family can make online or phone deposits through three different third-party platforms listed on the Cook County Department of Corrections webpage. Depositors need the recipient’s booking numbers (available through the Cook County Sheriff’s Office Individual in Custody Locator or Records Office at (773) 674-2390)
The Cook County Sheriff’s Office allows cash or credit card deposits through payment kiosks at the Cook County jail complex. Additionally, individuals can mail money orders up to $100.00 or cashier's checks up to $1,000.00 payable to the individuals in custody using the inmates' full name or booking number. Mail-in deposits for inmates at the Cook County jail complex should be addressed to:
Cook County Department of Corrections
[Individual in Custody name], [Individual in custody booking identification number]
2700 South California Avenue,
Chicago, IL 60608.
Inmate Search by Jail Facility
Cook County operates a single-site local detention facility and maintains a centralized inmate search tool for accessing county jail records. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office Individual in Custody Locator serves as the official digital roster for individuals incarcerated at the Cook County Department of Corrections jail complex. However, municipal police departments, such as the Chicago Police Department and Elgin Police Department, maintain databases of individuals they hold in temporary custody. For instance, record seekers can access information about individuals arrested and detained by the Chicago Police Department through the agency's Adult Arrest Search portal.
Additionally, Cook County houses state and federal detention facilities, including the IDOC-operated North Lawndale Adult Transition Center and the federal government's Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) Chicago. Official access to information about individuals incarcerated at these facilities is provided separately through the IDOC Individual in Custody Search portal and the BOP Inmate Locator. While Cook County operates a juvenile detention facility, Illinois restricts public access to juvenile detention records.
Cook County Visitation Rules and Schedules
The Cook County Sheriff’s Office applies the following criteria to inmate visitation at the Cook County jail complex (Cook County Department of Corrections):
Who can visit
Visitors must be adults who scheduled their visits online through the Cook County Individual in Custody Visitation Webpage and are on the inmate’s approved list. Minors who visit the Cook County jail complex must be accompanied by their parents or guardians.
Identification documents
The Cook County Sheriff’s Office requires visitors to the county's jail complex to provide government-issued identification, such as:
- State-issued driver's license or ID card
- United States or foreign passport/visa
- U.S. military identification
- Recognized foreign consulate documentation or ID.
High-school-aged minors must present valid high school photo ID or state-issued ID. Additionally, visitors under 18 years must be accompanied by one or two approved adults. Visitors must pass through metal detectors or undergo pat-down searches or screenings to ensure they do not bring contraband, such as pagers, cell phones, electronics, food, bags, and personal items to the facility.
Dress code
The Cook County Sheriff’s Office requires visitors to the Cook County Department of Corrections to dress appropriately. The CCDOC prohibits:
- Short dresses, mini skirts, and revealing shorts
- Low-cut shirts and blouses, and skirts with high slit
- Sheer, transparent, net/mesh materials
- Sleeveless t-shirts
- Clothing that exposes the stomach, back, buttocks, midriff, or undergarments
- Articles that display gang symbols, obscene or distracting messages
- Clothing resembling law enforcement, security, or individuals in custody uniforms
- Pants worn below the waist.
Duration of visit
The duration of a visit to the Cook County Department of Corrections depends on the daily capacity, the specific housing unit, and staffing, but typically lasts from 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Visitation days and hours
Visitation days and hours for inmates at the Cook County Department of Corrections depend on the Jail Division. Nonetheless, the facility operates two shifts: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Mailing and Commissary Information | Cook County Jail
Similar to inmate visitation, the Cook County Department of Corrections maintains strict guidelines for inmate mail correspondence and commissary purchases. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office inspects all incoming mail for contraband. To avoid returned mail or processing delays, mailers should note that the Cook County Sheriff’s Office approves mail delivery of:
- Letters written in plain white or standard lined paper using blue or black ink and mailed in a standard white envelope with a return address
- Unframed standard-sized photo prints that do not display forbidden content
- Not more than 3 brand-new softcover books or magazines shipped directly from the publisher, bookstore, or major commercial vendors
- Official communication from state or federal court, attorneys, legal service organizations, or elected officials
- United States Postal Service money order not exceeding $100.00 or a cashier's check of up to $1,000.00, payable to the individual in custody.
Mail correspondence with a Cook County inmate should follow this format:
[Sender full legal name]
[Sender Street address]
[City, State, Zip code]
[Individual in Custody full name]
[Booking ID number]
Cook County Department of Corrections
2700 South California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60608.
Friends and family can send funds to Cook County inmates for commissary purchases through the approved third-party platforms listed on the Cook County Department of Corrections webpage. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office also permits mail and in-person funding of Individual in Custody Trust Funds.