Cook County Jail
Looking for someone arrested in Chicago or elsewhere in Cook County? Use this guide to find the official inmate locator, confirm custody, understand Illinois pretrial release, arrange visitation, and locate court and release information.
Find Someone in Cook County Custody
Official inmate information for Chicago and Cook County, Illinois.
Search by the person's legal name, check the current custody record, and save the booking number for follow-up questions.
Recently booked individuals may not appear immediately. Confirm the person's custody status before making travel arrangements.
OFFICIAL INMATE SEARCH →The Cook County Sheriff's Office states that Individual in Custody Locator information is typically published approximately 4 to 6 hours after a person has been booked and processed. If the arrest was very recent, check again later or use the Sheriff's automated jail-information line.
Cook County Jail Inmate Search & Locator — Chicago
Use the Cook County Sheriff's official Individual in Custody Locator to search for someone in the Cook County Jail or Chicago jail system before relying on a third-party arrest or mugshot website.
Cook County Sheriff Individual in Custody Locator
Search the Cook County Sheriff's official custody database for a person currently being held by the Cook County Department of Corrections.
Use the person's correct legal name and other identifying information when available.
Open Official Inmate Locator →Cook County Jail Phone Number & Automated Information
If you cannot locate the person online, Cook County provides an automated Individual in Custody information line.
773-674-5245
Corrections Customer Service: 773-674-1945
Once you locate the correct person, save the booking number. It can be important for visitation, deposits, mail, property, court information, and communications with jail staff.
Cook County Jail Location
The Cook County Department of Corrections operates a large detention complex on South California Avenue in Chicago.
The jail complex contains multiple divisions and housing units. Confirm the person’s current custody status and specific housing assignment through the official locator before visiting.
A person's housing assignment or custody status can change. Check the official locator or contact Cook County before going to the jail.
After Someone Is Arrested in Cook County
An arrest can involve police processing, jail booking, court review, release conditions, and possible detention.
- Arrest and processing The arresting agency processes the arrest and the person may be transported for further booking and detention.
- Booking Identifying information, charges, fingerprints, property, and other booking information are processed.
- Initial court proceedings A judge determines the next steps in the criminal case and whether the defendant will be released, released with conditions, or detained.
- Release or detention Depending on the court's order and other legal circumstances, the defendant may be released or remain in Cook County custody.
- The criminal case continues Future hearings and case activity proceed through the appropriate Cook County court.
Cook County Bail and Pretrial Release
Illinois fundamentally changed its pretrial system in 2023. For new criminal cases, the key question is generally whether the court orders release, release with conditions, or pretrial detention.
Do not assume that a newly arrested person simply has a dollar bond amount that a family member can pay to obtain release. The court applies Illinois' current pretrial-release and detention procedures.
Release
A defendant may be released while the criminal case is pending, subject to the court's order.
Release With Conditions
A court may impose conditions designed to ensure court appearance or address other legally authorized concerns.
Pretrial Detention
In qualifying cases, prosecutors may seek detention and the court determines whether the legal requirements for detention are met.
Cases filed before September 18, 2023 may still involve monetary bond requirements under the prior system. Check the actual court record rather than assuming the rules for a new arrest apply to an older case.
Posting Bond in an Older Case
For cases that still have an authorized monetary bond, the Cook County Sheriff's bonding instructions identify Division 5, 2700 S. California Avenue, Chicago as a bond payment location, open 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., every day including holidays. Other listed suburban courthouses accept eligible payments on weekdays during specified hours.
Permitted payment methods include cash, eligible bank or cashier's checks, and in-person credit or debit cards. Card transactions carry a 2.13% nonrefundable service fee. Personal checks and money orders are not accepted for bond payments. Confirm eligibility and the exact payment requirements before traveling.
Official Cook County Bonding Instructions →Cook County Criminal Court Information
The jail record tells you about custody. Court records tell you what is happening in the criminal prosecution.
Clerk of the Circuit Court
Use the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County for court records, case information, and other court-related resources.
Cook County Clerk of Court →Circuit Court of Cook County
Cook County criminal matters proceed through the Circuit Court of Cook County. The specific courthouse depends on the case and geographic district.
Circuit Court Information →They identify different records. Save both numbers when you locate them.
Cook County Jail Visitation
Visitors must follow Cook County's approval and scheduling procedures. Do not travel to the jail expecting an unscheduled visit.
Visitor Approval and Scheduling
For an in-person or video visit, the individual in custody must first add the visitor to the approved visitation list. Sheriff's staff then contact the visitor to arrange scheduling.
Visitor Information Center: 773-674-8225
Alternate visitor information: 773-674-8194
Official Visitation Information →Family Video Visitation
Cook County currently provides a family video-visitation option using Microsoft Teams.
Visitors need an active Microsoft Teams account associated with an email address. Follow the Sheriff's instructions and wait for staff to schedule the visit.
Confirm the person's current custody status and review the Sheriff's current visitor instructions before making plans.
Phone Calls and Electronic Communication
You generally cannot call the jail and ask staff to connect you directly to an individual in custody.
ViaPath / GTL
Cook County uses correctional communication services associated with ViaPath/GTL for inmate telephone and related communication services.
The available options, rates, and account requirements can change.
ViaPath / GTL →Before Adding Money
Confirm that the person is still in Cook County custody and make sure you are funding the correct communication account.
Jail commissary or trust funds are not necessarily the same as telephone or messaging funds.
Sending Money to Someone in Cook County Jail
Cook County provides several methods for depositing funds for an individual in custody. Always use the person's exact name and current booking number.
JailATM
Online deposits may be made using JailATM when available for the individual's account.
JailATM →MoneyGram, Western Union & Money Transfer Services
Cook County also lists approved deposit methods involving services such as Western Union and MoneyGram.
Other Deposit Options
Participating currency exchanges, jail lobby kiosks, and qualifying mailed money orders or cashier's checks may also be available under current Cook County procedures.
Deposit Codes, Limits and Processing Times
Western Union: City code CCDOC (or COOK COUNTY DEPT CORRECTION), Illinois. MoneyGram: Receive code 1750. JailATM: No code required. Online or phone deposits generally take 1–2 business days to appear.
Mailed money orders may not exceed $100 each, and cashier's checks may not exceed $1,000 each. Use the person's exact name and booking number. Mailed deposits can take up to five business days after receipt. Never mail cash.
Lobby kiosks are also available at designated Cook County Jail locations. Confirm the latest instructions and fees on the official trust-account page before sending funds.
Official Trust Account Instructions →Cook County Department of Corrections Trust/Finance: 773-674-6864.
Sending Mail to Cook County Jail
Use the individual's full name and current booking number when sending personal correspondence.
General Mailing Address
Address personal correspondence using the individual's full name and booking number followed by:
Cook County Department of Corrections
2700 S. California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60608
Check the Sheriff's current mail rules before sending photographs, publications, packages, money, or anything other than ordinary correspondence.
Use an approved deposit method for inmate funds and verify current Cook County rules before sending any money order or cashier's check.
Medical and Mental Health Care
Health care at the Cook County Jail is provided through Cermak Health Services of Cook County Health.
Cermak Health Services
For health-service information involving someone in Cook County custody:
773-674-7488
Mental Health Concern
Cook County Sheriff's 24-hour mental-health hotline:
773-674-2273
773-674-CARE
Use this number when you need to communicate a mental-health concern involving an individual in custody.
Staff may be able to receive important information from a family member even when privacy laws prevent them from disclosing protected medical information in return.
Property and Individual in Custody Services
Property release and other custody-service questions should be handled through Cook County's current procedures rather than by arriving at the jail without confirmation.
Individual in Custody Services
For questions involving services for a person in custody:
773-674-1979
Ask what identification, authorization, or other documentation is required before attempting to retrieve property.
Release From Cook County Jail
Release timing depends on the court order, processing, outstanding warrants or holds, and the person's individual circumstances.
Confirm the Court Order
Check the criminal case to determine what the judge ordered regarding release, conditions, or detention.
A court order may still need to be received and processed by the jail before the person physically leaves custody.
Check Current Custody Status
Use the Individual in Custody Locator or contact Cook County before traveling to pick someone up.
Automated jail information: 773-674-5245
The Sheriff's bonding instructions estimate approximately 2–3 hours after bond payment for discharge processing. Placement on GPS monitoring can add time. This estimate is not a guarantee and does not apply to every court-ordered release.
Review official bonding and discharge guidance →A defendant may have another warrant, case, detainer, or legal hold even after the immediate Cook County case permits release.
Transferred to Illinois State Prison?
Cook County Jail and the Illinois Department of Corrections are separate systems. Once someone has been transferred to state custody, use the Illinois state offender-search resources instead of the Cook County inmate locator.
Illinois Department of Corrections
Use the Illinois Department of Corrections offender-search system for people who have been transferred into Illinois state custody.
Illinois Inmate Search →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 Cook County still have cash bail?
How do I visit someone in Cook County Jail?
How do I send money to Cook County Jail?
How do I mail a letter to Cook County Jail?
Who do I call about a mental health concern involving someone in Cook County Jail?
More Jail & Inmate Search Guides
Looking for someone outside Cook County? Browse other major county jail guides or search the complete GotLockedUp directory.
Cook County Jail Contact Information
Use the department that handles the type of information you need.
773-674-CARE