Cook County, IL Public Records
Cook County public records include all documents, recordings, audio and video material that are handled and pertain to the transactions of public entities. However, some of these records may not be covered by the Freedom of Information Act, depending on the confidentiality applied. Births, deaths, and divorce records are not available to the public. These may only be accessed by those that have personal or property rights interests with the person on the record. Requests for records are issued to the Division of Vital Records via mail. Marriage records are available for public viewing. However, a copy fee is required for found records. These would be requested from the county clerk. Property records are also available for public inspection. The Cook County Recorder of Deeds presides over these records from 1871.
Courts in Cook County
Court Records in Cook County, Illinois
Cook County court records are presumed accessible for public viewing, provided no legal exemptions exist. Interested parties may go in person to the courthouse where the case was heard to view these records. Alternatively, record seekers may send a mail request to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. The costs are $2 for the first page of the record and 50 cents per subsequent page. Certified copies attract a price of $9 per court document. The Clerk also offers an online case information portal as a resource for in-process court cases. Online case searches are available for civil, probate, traffic, court calls, and child support cases. The information on the online databases is recorded as a summary from the paper files with an understanding the data is true and correct.
Jails and Prisons in Cook County
Find Inmate Search and Jail Records in Cook County, Illinois
Cook County inmate records are considered public information. The Cook county sheriff’s office maintains these records as it presides over all jail operations. It also provides an inmate search tool for requesters. By inputting the person’s name and booking number, the requester accesses the inmate’s physical description, criminal charges, sentencing information, and the detaining facility. Inmates may receive in-person and video visits from friends and family. Visitors have to apply for approval and schedule their visits at least a day in advance. Inmates may receive two visitors each time, and adults may come with children. Visitors must also follow correctional facility regulations on clothing and behavior during visits. There are 12 jails and prisons in Cook County, serving a population of 5.173 million residents.
Police Departments and Sheriff Offices in Cook County
Arrest Records in Cook County, Illinois
Cook County arrest records are files that describe apprehension incidents by law enforcement officers. The Cook County Sheriff’s department generates these records. Interested individuals can apply for arrest records via Freedom of Information act requests to the Sheriff’s Website. That is provided there are no legally set restrictions such as arrests involving juveniles, financial crimes, domestic abuse, or ongoing criminal investigations. The Sheriff’s department also presides over criminal records available to eligible record seekers. Law enforcement personnel, legal representatives, and parties to the record are allowed access. Requesters are also charged $16 per record copy. Cook County has 189 police departments, placing it 100th out of 102 stations per capita. The crime rate is 45.03 per 1,000 residents.
Other Counties in Illinois
- Adams
- Alexander
- Bond
- Boone
- Brown
- Bureau
- Calhoun
- Carroll
- Cass
- Champaign
- Christian
- Clark
- Clay
- Clinton
- Coles
- Crawford
- Cumberland
- Dekalb
- Dewitt
- Douglas
- Dupage
- Edgar
- Edwards
- Effingham
- Fayette
- Ford
- Franklin
- Fulton
- Gallatin
- Greene
- Grundy
- Hamilton
- Hancock
- Hardin
- Henderson
- Henry
- Iroquois
- Jackson
- Jasper
- Jefferson
- Jersey
- Jo Daviess
- Johnson
- Kane
- Kankakee
- Kendall
- Knox
- La Salle
- Lake
- Lawrence
- Lee
- Livingston
- Logan
- Macon
- Macoupin
- Madison
- Marion
- Marshall
- Mason
- Massac
- Mcdonough
- Mchenry
- Mclean
- Menard
- Mercer
- Monroe
- Montgomery
- Morgan
- Moultrie
- Ogle
- Peoria
- Perry
- Piatt
- Pike
- Pope
- Pulaski
- Putnam
- Randolph
- Richland
- Rock Island
- Saint Clair
- Saline
- Sangamon
- Schuyler
- Scott
- Shelby
- Stark
- Stephenson
- Tazewell
- Union
- Vermilion
- Wabash
- Warren
- Washington
- Wayne
- White
- Whiteside
- Will
- Williamson
- Winnebago
- Woodford
Popular Cities in Cook
- Alsip
- Arlington Heights
- Bedford Park
- Bellwood
- Berkeley
- Berwyn
- Blue Island
- Bridgeview
- Broadview
- Brookfield
- Burbank
- Calumet City
- Chicago
- Chicago Heights
- Chicago Ridge
- Cicero
- Country Club Hills
- Des Plaines
- Dolton
- Elk Grove Village
- Elmwood Park
- Evanston
- Evergreen Park
- Flossmoor
- Forest Park
- Franklin Park
- Glencoe
- Glenview
- Glenwood
- Golf
- Hanover Park
- Harvey
- Harwood Heights
- Hazel Crest
- Hickory Hills
- Hillside
- Hines
- Hoffman Estates
- Hometown
- Homewood
- Justice
- Kenilworth
- La Grange
- La Grange Park
- Lansing
- Lemont
- Lincolnwood
- Lyons
- Markham
- Matteson
- Maywood
- Melrose Park
- Midlothian
- Morton Grove
- Mount Prospect
- Niles
- Northbrook
- Oak Forest
- Oak Lawn
- Oak Park
- Olympia Fields
- Orland Park
- Palatine
- Palos Heights
- Palos Hills
- Palos Park
- Park Forest
- Park Ridge
- Posen
- Prospect Heights
- Richton Park
- River Forest
- River Grove
- Riverdale
- Riverside
- Robbins
- Rolling Meadows
- Schaumburg
- Schiller Park
- Skokie
- South Holland
- Steger
- Stone Park
- Streamwood
- Summit Argo
- Techny
- Thornton
- Tinley Park
- Westchester
- Western Springs
- Wheeling
- Willow Springs
- Wilmette
- Winnetka
- Worth