Cook County Jail: Inmate Search, Visitation, Phone, Court & Release Information
If someone was arrested in Chicago or elsewhere in Cook County, start here. Find the official Cook County inmate search, locate the person's housing division, check court information, understand Illinois pretrial release, schedule a visit, add money, set up phone calls, send mail, and find release information.
The Cook County Sheriff's Office says information in the Individual in Custody Locator typically becomes available about 4 to 6 hours after the person has been booked and processed. If no result appears immediately, try the search again later or call the automated jail information line at 773-674-5245.
How to Find Someone in Cook County Jail
The Cook County Sheriff's Office calls its inmate search the Individual in Custody Locator. This is the official place to find someone currently held in the Cook County jail system.
Cook County Individual in Custody Locator
The locator can provide current booking and custody information, including the person's booking number and housing location.
The booking number is especially important because you may need it for visitation, mail, commissary deposits, phone services, and other jail-related transactions.
Search Cook County Jail →Automated Jail Information
Cook County maintains an automated information line in English and Spanish.
773-674-JAIL
773-674-5245
The automated line can assist with inmate-location information and other common Cook County Jail questions.
Cook County states that online locator results are typically published about 4 to 6 hours after a person is booked and processed. Some people may also be released through the court process without remaining in the jail long enough to appear as a normal jail booking.
Where Is Cook County Jail?
The Cook County Department of Corrections is a large jail complex on California Avenue on Chicago's Southwest Side.
Cook County Department of Corrections
2700 South California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60608
Customer Service:
773-674-1945
Customer Service is currently listed as available seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Jail Has Multiple Divisions
Cook County Jail is not one simple building. People in custody are housed in different divisions and living units throughout the correctional complex.
Use the inmate locator to find the person's current housing location before visiting or trying to recover property.
These terms are commonly used to describe the same county jail system. The official name used by the Sheriff's Office is the Cook County Department of Corrections, or CCDOC.
What Happens After an Arrest in Chicago?
Not every person arrested in Chicago will remain in Cook County Jail. The next steps depend on the charges, the court's pretrial decision, warrants or holds, and other case-specific circumstances.
- Arrest and processing The arresting law-enforcement agency processes the arrest and the criminal charge.
- Initial court appearance A judge addresses pretrial release and other initial issues under Illinois law.
- Release or detention decision The court determines whether the person should be released, released subject to conditions, or detained if the legal requirements for detention are satisfied.
- Cook County Jail housing If the person remains detained, the Cook County Department of Corrections assigns a housing division.
- Future court dates The criminal case continues through the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Does Cook County Still Have Cash Bail?
For new Illinois criminal cases, the traditional cash-bail system was eliminated beginning September 18, 2023 under Illinois' pretrial reforms.
Under the current Illinois system, courts generally decide whether a defendant should be released before trial, released with conditions, or detained when statutory requirements for detention are established. Monetary bond can still matter in certain older cases filed before September 18, 2023.
Release
A judge may order a defendant released without a traditional cash bond, subject to applicable court orders and conditions.
Conditional Release
The court may impose lawful conditions designed to ensure appearance and address other pretrial concerns.
Pretrial Detention
Illinois law permits detention in qualifying cases when the State files the required petition and the court finds the legal requirements for detention have been met.
Cases With an Existing Monetary Bond
Cook County Sheriff's Office instructions state that cases filed before September 18, 2023 may still have cash bond requirements.
The Cook County Bond Room is located at:
Division 5
2700 S. California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60608
Current Clerk information lists Bond Room hours as: 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., seven days a week, including holidays.
Official Cook County Bond Information →The Cook County Sheriff's Office currently states that discharge after bond is posted may take approximately 2 to 3 hours. It can take longer when GPS monitoring or other release requirements must be completed.
How to Find a Cook County Court Date or Criminal Case
Jail custody records and criminal court records are separate. Use the Sheriff's locator for custody information and the Clerk of the Circuit Court for criminal case information.
Cook County Court Case Information
The Clerk provides online case information for active and historical Cook County court cases.
Search Cook County Cases →Criminal Division
Chicago felony trial cases are handled through the Criminal Division at the George N. Leighton Criminal Court Building.
2650 S. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60608
773-674-3140
First Appearance Court
First Appearance Court is located at:
2650 S. California Avenue
Room 111
Chicago, IL 60608
The Clerk warns that very recent filings or events may not immediately appear in the online system. Users may need to check later or use a courthouse public-access terminal.
Cook County Jail Visitation
Cook County currently offers both scheduled in-person visitation and family video visitation.
People wishing to visit someone in Cook County Jail must complete a visitor application. The person in custody must also add the visitor's name to their visitation list.
Schedule an In-Person Visit
Cook County provides a dedicated online system for scheduling approved in-person visits.
Schedule an In-Person Visit →Family Video Visits
Current Cook County family video visits are conducted through Microsoft Teams.
The visitor needs an active Microsoft Teams account connected to an email address.
Visitor Information Center
For approval status or visitation questions:
773-674-8225
or
773-674-8194
Cook County advises applicants to allow seven business days after submitting an application before asking about its status.
Children Visiting
Minors age 17 and younger do not complete a visitor application, but they must be accompanied by an approved parent or guardian.
High-school-age minors should have a current state or school photo ID.
The Sheriff's current visitation page specifically warns that some older divisional schedules displayed online are not currently being followed. Use the official current visitation system before traveling.
Cook County Jail Phone Calls and Messaging
Friends and family can set up communication services for someone housed in the Cook County Department of Corrections.
Phone Calls
Cook County uses GTL / ViaPath for individual-in-custody telephone services.
Friends and family can create prepaid accounts for home, mobile, and qualifying international numbers.
GTL/ViaPath Friends & Family Support: 1-877-650-4249
Official Phone Instructions →Text Messaging
Cook County also offers family and friend messaging through ViaPath's GettingOut platform.
The Sheriff's Office currently lists a charge of $0.06 per incoming message sent to the person in custody. Responses from the person in custody are listed as free.
Messages are subject to review and should not be used for privileged attorney-client communications.
GettingOut →The Sheriff's Office currently lists local, Illinois intrastate, and interstate calls at $0.05 per minute. International rates are higher. Check the official provider information before funding an account.
How to Send Money to Someone in Cook County Jail
Each person in custody has a Cook County Jail Trust Fund account that can be used for commissary and other approved purchases.
JailATM
JailATM is one of Cook County's approved online deposit methods.
Support: 1-870-627-5476
JailATM →Western Union
Cook County accepts deposits through Western Union.
City Code: CCDOC
State: Illinois
MoneyGram
Cook County also accepts MoneyGram deposits.
Receive Code: 1750
Cook County currently states that a person in custody may purchase up to $100 worth of commissary items per week, including approved food, toiletries, clothing, stamped envelopes, and phone cards.
Sending a Money Order or Cashier's Check
Cook County currently accepts:
• Money orders up to $100
• Cashier's checks up to $1,000
Make the payment payable using the person's exact name and booking identification number.
Mail to:
Cook County Department of Corrections
[NAME], [BOOKING NUMBER]
2700 S. California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60608
Cook County does not accept cash through the mail.
Official Trust Fund Instructions →How to Send Mail to Cook County Jail
Personal letters can be sent directly to the Cook County Department of Corrections when properly addressed.
Address Personal Mail Like This
[INDIVIDUAL'S FULL NAME]
[BOOKING NUMBER]
2700 S. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60608
The person's name and booking number should be included so mail can be routed properly.
Official Cook County Mail Rules →Cook County specifically states that mail covered, saturated, or sprayed with perfume, cologne, grease, oil, sticky material, or other foreign substances can be treated as contraband and removed from circulation.
Use the official Individual in Custody Locator or call 773-674-5245.
Medical and Mental Health Care at Cook County Jail
Jail health services are provided through Cook County Health, including Cermak Health Services.
Cermak Health Services
2800 S. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60608
Main number: 773-674-7488
Cermak provides health services, including pharmacy services, to people held in the Cook County Department of Corrections.
Cermak Health Services →24-Hour Mental Health Hotline
The Cook County Sheriff's Office maintains a 24-hour hotline for immediate medical and mental-health concerns involving people in custody.
773-674-2273
or
773-674-CARE
The Cook County Sheriff's Office does not maintain jail medical records. Medical-record requests are handled through Cook County Health/Cermak Health Services.
How to Pick Up Property From Cook County Jail
Property procedures depend on the division where the person is housed.
Division 5 Property Pickup
For people housed in Divisions 2, 3 Annex, 5, 8 RTU, 8 Cermak, or 16, Cook County currently directs property pickup to:
Division 5
2700 S. California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60608
Current property pickup hours: 9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m., seven days a week.
A valid ID is required.
Current Property Pickup Rules →Cook County uses a different authorization process for people housed in those divisions. Check the official property page before traveling.
Cook County Jail Release Information
Release timing depends on the court order, jail paperwork, monitoring requirements, outstanding holds, other jurisdictions, and the person's individual circumstances.
Check Custody First
Use the Cook County Individual in Custody Locator to see whether the person remains in custody.
Check Current Custody →Call Customer Service
Cook County Corrections Customer Service handles questions about discharge and other jail matters.
773-674-1945
Current hours: 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m., seven days a week.
Cook County must receive and process the court paperwork, complete jail discharge procedures, and address any GPS monitoring or other release requirements. Other holds or warrants may also prevent release.
Transferred From Cook County Jail to Illinois State Prison?
Cook County Jail and the Illinois Department of Corrections are different correctional systems.
Illinois Department of Corrections
Once someone is transferred to IDOC custody, use the Illinois Department of Corrections inmate search rather than the Cook County Jail locator.
Illinois Department of Corrections →Cook County Jail FAQ
How do I find someone in Cook County Jail?
How long after an arrest will someone appear in the Cook County inmate search?
What is the Cook County Jail address?
What is the Cook County Jail phone number?
Does Illinois still require cash bail?
How do I find a Cook County criminal court date?
How do I visit someone in Cook County Jail?
How long does Cook County visitor approval take?
Can I call someone in Cook County Jail?
How do I send money to Cook County Jail?
How much can a Cook County inmate spend on commissary?
How do I mail a letter to Cook County Jail?
Who do I call about an urgent mental-health concern?
How long does it take someone to be released from Cook County Jail?
Other Major County Jail Guides
Looking for someone outside Chicago? See our other detailed jail information guides.
Cook County Jail Contact Information
Use the department that handles the type of information you need.
773-674-CARE
Chicago, IL 60608