Jail

Cook County Jail can feel overwhelming if you have a loved one in custody or you’re trying to understand how the system works. This guide walks you through how the Cook County Department of Corrections operates, how to find someone in custody, how visits and bonding work, and how to send money or mail safely. It is written for families, friends, and community members who need clear, practical information about Cook County Jail procedures, using only official sources from the Sheriff’s Office and related government agencies.

Get Oriented: How Cook County Jail and the Department of Corrections Work

The Cook County Department of Corrections (CCDOC) sits on a campus that spans roughly ninety-six acres and eight city blocks, making it one of the largest single-site jails in the country. It houses people at different stages of the criminal process, from those newly arrested and awaiting their first court appearance to individuals held while their cases move through the court system.

The Department’s mission is to keep the public, staff, and individuals in custody safe while operating a secure, humane, and constitutionally run jail. It also serves as the central place where people are screened and classified before they are assigned to a housing division or moved to other forms of custody.

For an overview of the jail’s operations, programs, and key links, you can start with the official Cook County Department of Corrections page on the Sheriff’s website, which provides the main entry point to jail information and services:
Cook County Department of Corrections

Navigate Cook County Jail Records and Locate Someone in Custody

When someone is arrested in Cook County, it’s common for family and friends to want to confirm where they are, whether they’ve been booked into the jail, and what division they’re in. The Sheriff’s Office provides tools to help you do this without guessing or calling multiple offices.

Use the jail’s online locator for fast status checks

The fastest way to look up someone in custody is through the Sheriff’s online search system. You’ll typically need:

The individual’s full legal name, spelled correctly
As much identifying information as you have (such as date of birth)

The online tool will show whether the person is in custody, their booking identification number, and their current housing location. That booking number is critical for almost everything else you do—visits, mail, money deposits, and more.

You can access the official online Individual in Custody Locator here:
online Individual in Custody Locator

Once you find the record, make note of:

Booking Identification Number – needed for mail, trust account deposits, and many forms

Housing location – usually a code that includes the division and tier (for example, a combination of letters and numbers)

Understand Cook County Jail divisions and housing codes

Cook County Jail is split into multiple housing divisions, each with its own layout, security level, and visiting schedule. The Sheriff’s site explains how these divisions are organized, which helps you interpret the housing code you see in the locator result.

If, for example, the first part of the housing code refers to a particular division, that tells you which building and section of the jail the person is held in. This becomes especially important when you’re planning a visit or trying to understand where someone fits into the broader facility.

For a breakdown of how the jail is organized, review the official Cook County Jail Divisions page:
Cook County Jail Divisions

Visit Someone at Cook County Jail: Set Up In-Person and Video Visits

Seeing a loved one in person—or at least on video—can make a big difference, but jail visitation is tightly controlled. Cook County uses both on-site visits and scheduled video visits, and all visits follow jail rules.

Schedule an in-person jail visit

In-person visits must be scheduled in advance. The process typically works like this:

The person in custody adds you to their visitation list.
They have to provide your name to jail staff as an approved visitor.

Jail staff contact you or allow you to schedule after approval.
Once you’re on the list, a staff member will work with you to set a date and time.

You arrive early and follow check-in procedures.
Expect security screening and ID checks. Only bring what is allowed inside the facility.

The Sheriff’s Office posts up-to-date rules and operational changes—such as pandemic-related adjustments—on an Updated Visitor Information page. Always check that first before planning a trip:
updated visitor information

Use video visits when you can’t come to the jail

Cook County also allows video visits, which are conducted using Microsoft Teams. To participate, visitors must:

Have an active Microsoft Teams account tied to a working email address

Have adequate internet access and a device capable of video conferencing

Follow all jail rules during the call (no drinking, smoking, nudity, or other prohibited behavior)

Video visits are treated like in-person visits in terms of conduct. Violations can result in suspension of visiting privileges.

Follow jail visitation rules and ADA accommodations

Visitation at Cook County Jail is governed by detailed rules that cover:

Dress code
Items you can or cannot bring into the visiting area
Behavior during the visit
How often and how long you can visit

The jail must also comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Visitors who need accommodations—such as mobility assistance or communication aids—can request reasonable adjustments in advance.

For specific rules, schedules by housing division, and ADA information, review the official Jail Visitation and ADA Accommodations page:
Jail Visitation and ADA Accommodations page

Post Bond at Cook County Jail: How the Release Process Works Now

Bonding and pretrial release in Cook County changed significantly in recent years. Understanding what has changed—and what has stayed the same—can keep you from making unnecessary trips or scrambling at the last minute.

Know the impact of cash-free pretrial release rules

For people arrested and charged after September 18, 2023, Cook County courts generally do not require cash bail for pretrial release. Instead, judges decide whether someone is released or detained based on the seriousness of the charge and other legal factors.

However, cases filed before that date may still have cash bond requirements. That means:

Some individuals will still need bond posted in order to leave jail
Others may be detained or released under non-monetary conditions instead

Before you try to post bond, it helps to confirm whether the case involves a cash bond requirement by checking the individual’s court paperwork or case status.

Where and when you can post jail bond

Family and friends can post bond directly at the jail during specific hours every day. The bonding facility on the jail campus is operated by the Clerk of the Circuit Court and is open daily for in-person payments.

On weekdays, during business hours, you may also be able to post bond at certain municipal courthouses in Skokie, Rolling Meadows, Maywood, Bridgeview, and Markham. These locations typically handle bond payments for cases being heard there during the court day.

Accepted payment methods and key bonding rules

For cases that still require bond, Cook County allows several forms of payment:

Cash in U.S. currency
Bank or cashier’s checks (no personal checks and no money orders)
Credit or debit cards in person at the jail

When paying by check, the check must be payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court and presented during normal banking hours, because staff may need to verify it with the issuing bank. Credit and debit card payments may include a non-refundable service fee, and the person whose name is on the card usually must be present with photo ID.

Some important points to keep in mind:

Newly booked individuals must be fully processed before bond can be posted.

If the person in custody has a “hold” from another agency, bonding may be delayed until additional information is obtained.

After bond is posted, it often takes several hours to complete the discharge process, and it can take longer if electronic monitoring equipment must be set up.

For official details about where to go, hours, and payment rules, use the Sheriff’s bonding information for Cook County Jail page:
bonding information for Cook County Jail

Send Money, Mail, and Support to Someone Held in Cook County Jail

People inside Cook County Jail rely on outside support for many day-to-day needs, including snacks, hygiene items, additional clothing, and staying in contact with family. The jail controls how money and mail flow in and out of the facility, and there are specific limits and rules.

Use the jail trust account for commissary purchases

Every individual in custody has a personal trust fund account—often called “their books.” This account is used for:

Commissary purchases such as clothing, toiletries, stamped envelopes, and supplementary food items

Other approved expenses that may arise during confinement

There are weekly spending limits on commissary, currently allowing up to a set amount for clothing and supplies and a separate limit for food purchases. The Sheriff’s Office outlines several ways family and friends can add funds, including:

Online and telephone deposits through approved vendors

Deposits at currency exchange locations that partner with the jail

Money orders or cashier’s checks sent by mail (with specific dollar limits)

In-person deposits at lobby kiosks located at various entrances and division lobbies on the jail campus

Cash is not accepted through the mail under any circumstances, and the jail can place holds on unusually large deposits for security reasons. Funds may be held until they are needed for commissary, discharge, transfer to another facility, or self-bonding.

For a detailed breakdown of trust fund rules and deposit options, visit the official Individual in Custody Trust Account page:
Individual in Custody Trust Account

Send letters safely and avoid rejected jail mail

Mail is another lifeline for people in custody, but it’s strictly regulated. When you send a letter, you must:

Address it using the standard jail mailing format
Include the individual’s full name exactly as it appears in the jail system
Include the correct booking identification number

If you don’t know the booking number, you can find it using the online locator or through the jail’s records and automated systems.

Certain items cannot be mailed, including many types of contraband and any materials that have been soaked or sprayed with foreign substances. For example, envelopes or paper that are heavily perfumed, oily, sticky, or discolored may be removed as contraband and not returned. If any part of a package violates the rules, the entire package can be returned to the sender with an explanation.

Senders who believe their mail has been rejected in error may request a review by writing to the Department of Corrections within a set timeframe after receiving a notice of returned mail.

For official mailing instructions and the current list of restricted items, refer to How to send mail to an Individual in Custody on the Sheriff’s website:
How to send mail to an Individual in Custody

Stay in Contact: Phone Calls and Jail Communication Rules

Phone calls from Cook County Jail are managed through a contracted service provider. While the Sheriff’s Office does not accept funds directly for phone calls, family and friends can set up prepaid accounts with the provider so they can receive calls at home, on a cell phone, or even at an international number.

A few important points about phone communication:

Calls are generally recorded and monitored, except where protected by law (for example, properly registered attorney–client calls).

Attorneys who do not want calls with their clients recorded must follow the Sheriff’s instructions for registering their phone numbers as non-recordable.

Call rates differ for local, interstate, and international calls but are posted publicly by the provider and the Sheriff’s Office.

The Sheriff’s website explains how the phone system works, including what kinds of prepaid accounts are available and how to sign up. To review the official description of the phone system and calling options, visit the GTL Inmate Communications page:
GTL Inmate Communications

Explore Jail Programs, Services, and Mental Health Support

Cook County Jail is more than just housing units and court transport. The Sheriff’s Office runs a variety of programs aimed at rehabilitation, education, and reentry, as well as basic services that help individuals in custody navigate life inside.

Individual in Custody Services and grievance help

Within the jail, Individual in Custody Services staff act as human-services liaisons. They:

Help individuals in custody with needs related to confinement
Serve as a bridge between people inside the jail and their families
Assist with property issues, legal documentation, and other paperwork
Process requests and grievances related to jail conditions and services

Law and public librarians also support individuals in custody, assisting with legal research related to their cases and providing access to books for education, literacy, and recreation.

You can read more about these services and related programming under Programs and Services from the main corrections section of the Sheriff’s site:
Detainee Programs and Services

Rehabilitative, educational, and veteran programs inside the jail

The Sheriff’s Office offers a range of rehabilitative programs, including:

Religious services and spiritual support

Educational classes and literacy programs

Substance abuse treatment and recovery groups

Enrichment programs and structured activities

Veteran-specific services and support groups

Community support and anti-violence initiatives such as the Sheriff’s Anti-Violence Effort (SAVE)

These programs are designed to reduce recidivism, address underlying issues like addiction and trauma, and help individuals prepare for life after release.

Mental health support and crisis response

Recognizing that many individuals in the jail are dealing with mental health challenges, Cook County also operates a Mental Health Transition Center and related services. Families and community members who are worried about a loved one’s mental health can reach out through official channels for guidance and support.

For countywide mental health assistance connected to the Sheriff’s Office, see the official Mental Health Hotline information:
Mental Health Hotline

Use the Jail’s Frequently Asked Questions and Official Contacts

If you’re unsure where to start, the Sheriff’s Office maintains a detailed Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section related specifically to the jail. It covers common issues such as:

How to find someone’s housing location
Whether certain payment types are accepted for bonding
General policies on property, discharge, and more

You can explore these topics directly in the official F.A.Q. section connected to the corrections department:
A.Q.

When you need to speak with a person, the jail’s phone system routes calls to different offices depending on whether your question is about bonding, visitation, trust accounts, property, or other issues. The Sheriff’s Office also maintains a dedicated discharge site where you can track the status of people being released from custody:
Individual in Custody Discharge site

Key Cook County Jail Departments, Addresses, and Phone Numbers

Cook County Department of Corrections – 2700 South California Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60608 – (773) 674-1945

Trust/Finance Office – Individual in Custody Trust Fund – Division 5, Second Floor, 2700 South California Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60608 – 773-674-6864

Automated Help Line – Phone 773-674-5245

Visitor Information Center – Phone 773-674-8225

Individual in Custody Services – Phone 773-674-1979

Cook County Jail FAQs

How do I look up someone in custody at Cook County jail?

To check whether someone is currently held at the facility or to confirm their housing location, use the Sheriff’s online Individual in Custody Locator. You’ll need the person’s full name and, if possible, their booking identification number to narrow the search. The locator also shows housing location details (division and tier), which you’ll need for planning visits or sending mail. You can access it directly through the Sheriff’s Individual in Custody Locator.

Where can I find the official rules for posting bond?

Cook County bond is handled by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, but the Sheriff provides a clear overview of locations, hours, and acceptable payment types (cash, certified checks, and in-person credit/debit card, with a service fee) on its bonding page. You can review current hours, municipal courthouse bonding options, and important rules—such as processing times and holds from other agencies—on the official bonding information page.

How do I add money to an individual in custody’s trust account?

Each person in custody has a trust account used for commissary purchases like clothing, toiletries, envelopes, and supplemental food items. Family and friends can deposit funds using approved online and telephone deposit services, designated currency exchanges, postal money orders and cashier’s checks (within set limits), or lobby kiosks located at several posts and division lobbies. Detailed step-by-step instructions, deposit limits, and processing timeframes are outlined on the Sheriff’s Individual in Custody Trust Account page.

What are the rules for sending mail to someone at Cook County jail?

Mail must be clearly addressed with the individual in custody’s name and booking number. Certain items and conditions are prohibited: for example, cash is not accepted through the mail, and letters that are saturated with foreign substances (like perfume or oils) can be treated as contraband and removed from circulation. If mail is rejected, the sender can request a review in writing within a set timeframe. Full addressing instructions and a prohibited-items list are available on the How to send mail to an Individual in Custody page.

How do visits and video visits work at Cook County jail?

In-person visits are scheduled in advance, and video visits are conducted using Microsoft Teams. Family and friends must first be placed on the individual in custody’s visitation list; after that, a staff member will contact them to set a date and time. Standard jail rules apply to both in-person and video visits, including restrictions on behavior, clothing, and prohibited activities, and violations can lead to suspension of visiting privileges. Up-to-date details, including links for scheduling and information about disability accommodations under the ADA, are provided on the Sheriff’s Jail Visitation and ADA Accommodations page.

How do phone calls from Cook County jail work now that GTL is the provider?

The Sheriff’s Office uses GTL as the service provider for individual in custody phone calls. Friends and family can set up prepaid accounts so calls can be completed to cell phones, landlines, or certain international numbers, with per-minute rates depending on whether the call is local, interstate, or international. The Sheriff’s site also explains how attorneys can register numbers so legal calls are not recorded. For current call rates, account setup options, and refund information from the previous provider, see the GTL Inmate Communications page.