Lake County, Illinois Inmate Search
An inmate search is an online tool that allows the public to verify if someone is in custody at a local jail or prison. In Lake County, the Sheriff’s Office runs the county jail and maintains an online updated list of individuals in their custody. While the Waukegan, Buffalo Grove, and other local police departments maintain temporary holding cells, they do not offer separate online inmate rosters. Instead, record seekers have to rely on the Lake County Sheriff’s Office inmate roster or contact its records department for inmate information. The Lake County inmate roster provides public-facing information that contains the inmate’s identifying information, charges, custody status, and bond details.
For state incarcerations, interested parties can use the Illinois Department of Correction’s Individuals in Custody search tool. They can search by the inmate’s name, date of birth, or ID number. If it is a federal case, individuals can use the Bureau of PrisonsInmate Locator.
How to Find an Inmate in Lake County Jail
In Lake County, the Sheriff’s Office provides several ways to track inmates incarcerated at the county jail. Interested individuals can use the Sheriff’s online Inmate Records Search tool to find detainees at the Lake County Adult Corrections Facility. This search tool allows users to access Lake County inmate information using the subject’s name or identification number. For persons who prefer a full list, the Sheriff’s Office also posts a downloadable (PDF) Report listing everyone in custody.
If the online search does not yield results or specific details are required, you can reach out to the Lake County Sheriff’s Corrections Division or the county’s jail at:
Lake County Jail (Adult Corrections Facility)
20 S. County Street,
Waukegan,
IL 60085
Phone: (847) 377-4107
Fax: (847) 360-5763.
Lake County Sheriff’s Corrections Division
29 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue,
Waukegan,
IL 60085
Phone: (847) 377-4150
Fax: (847) 360-5763.
General Sheriff’s Office
25 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue,
Waukegan,
IL 60085
Phone: (847) 377-4000 (Business Hours) or (847) 549-5200 (After hours)
Fax: (847) 984-5974.
Offices are generally open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
How to Use the Lake County Jail Roster
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office offers an online inmate search tool where the public can access information about those currently in custody at the Lake County Jail. To access inmate information through this portal, interested individuals should follow these steps:
Visit the Lake County Sheriff’s Office website and look for the " Locate an Inmate" section.
Enter the person’s name or their ID number.
Click the "search" button and review a list of matching inmates.
For additional inquiries, individuals can call the Lake County Sheriff’s Corrections Division at (847) 377-4150 or the Adult Corrections Facility at (847) 377-4107 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).
What Information is Included in the Lake County Inmate Roster
Access to Lake County inmate records is primarily regulated by the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Some of the records that may be accessible include:
- Full legal name
- Physical description
- Aliases
- Mugshots
- Arrest and booking date and time
- The charges against the inmate
- Applicable statute or offense description
- Custody status
- Arresting agency
- Housing location within the jail
- Court dates or scheduled hearings
- Bail or bond amount.
Despite this general access, Illinois law protects sensitive information. Unauthorized entities cannot access Lake County inmate information regarding minors, active investigations, and confidential personal data.
Contact Details for Lake County Jail or Sheriff’s Office
In Lake County, record seekers can access inmate information through the Sheriff’s Office. They maintain the most current information regarding inmates in the county jail. Individuals can use the following contact information to reach out to the Lake County Jail and the Sheriff’s Office:
Lake County Jail (Adult Corrections Facility)
20 S County Street,
Waukegan,
IL 60085
Phone: (847) 377-4107.
Lake County Sheriff’s Corrections Division
29 S Martin Luther King Jr Avenue,
Waukegan,
IL 60085
Phone: (847) 377-4150.
Main Sheriff’s Office
25 S Martin Luther King Jr Avenue,
Waukegan,
IL 60085
Phone: (847) 377-4000 (Business hours) or (847) 549-5200 (After hours)
Email: sheriff@lakecountyil.gov.
Agency | Address | Phone Number | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
Lake County Sheriff’s Office | 25 S. Martin Luther King Jr Avenue, Waukegan, IL 60085 | (847) 377-4000 or (847) 549-5200 (Non-Business Hours) | |
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Division | 29 S. Martin Luther King Jr Avenue, Waukegan, IL 60085 | (847) 377-4150 | Same as the Lake County Sheriff’s Office website |
Adult Corrections Facility (Lake County Jail | 20 S. County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085 | (847) 377-4107 |
Jail Facility Overview in Lake County
Lake County operates one main adult jail and a separate juvenile detention center. The Lake County Sheriff’s maintains the county’s adult jail, which primarily houses male and female awaiting trials or those serving short sentences. With a capacity for 740 inmates, the medium-security facility uses a classification system to place inmates in units based on their charges and behavior.
In addition to the adult facility, the Hulse Juvenile Detention Center is a secure facility that temporarily houses youth (typically under 18) who are awaiting court proceedings and meet certain high-risk criteria. Unlike the adult jail, this juvenile center focuses on therapy and family involvement to address the underlying causes of delinquent behavior.
Agency | Office and Mail Address | Phone Number | Office Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Lake County Adult Corrections Facility (Lake County Jail) | 20 S. County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085 | (847) 377-4107 | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | Same as the Sheriff’s Office: |
Hulse Juvenile Detention Center | 24647 North Milwaukee Avenue, Vernon Hills, IL 60061 | (847) 377-7800 | Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | Not publicly available |
How to Send Money to an Inmate in Lake County Jail
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office provides several options for friends and family to deposit money into inmates’ trust funds and self-release accounts at the Lake County Jail.
Online and Mobile Deposits
Friends and family can deposit money into inmate accounts online through a third-party payment platform on the Lake County inmate account page. Users must create accounts and select Lake County Jail in Illinois to add the inmate.
Kiosk Deposits
Visitors can make in-person payments at self-service kiosks in the Lake County Jail lobby, available 24/7. The kiosks accept cash, credit, and debit cards.
All deposit methods (online, kiosk, phone) incur processing fees, which vary by amount and payment method. In addition, if an inmate has outstanding debts, up to 50% of the deposit may be applied to those fees.
Inmate Search by Jail Facility
In Lake County, inmate search options differ for adult and juvenile facilities. The Sheriff’s Office manages the Lake County Adult Corrections Facility. Record seekers can access Lake County inmate records through the Sheriff’s Locate an Inmate tool. You can also check the Daily Jail Population Report (a PDF file), which lists basic inmate information. Those in the Community-Based Corrections Center are usually listed in the main county’s database.
For privacy and legal reasons, information regarding minors at the Hulse Juvenile Detention Center is not public. Only authorized parties can access this information through the Juvenile Court or the detention center.
Facility | Access to Public Jail Roster | Access Method |
|---|---|---|
Lake County Adult Corrections Facility | Publicly available | Sheriff’s Office "Locate an Inmate" tool and a daily Jail Population Report (PDF) |
Community-Based Corrections Center (CBCC) | Publicly available | The Sheriff’s Office Correction Center manages specific work assignments |
Hulse Juvenile Detention Center | Public access is restricted | Direct inquiries through the Juvenile Court or detention center |
Lake County Visitation Rules and Schedules
Visiting an inmate at the Lake County Jail requires adherence to specific rules for scheduling, identification, and conduct. Currently, all visits are conducted through video only, and in-person contact visits are not available. The guide below provides families and loved ones with key information on visiting an inmate at the Lake County Adult Correctional Facility in Waukegan, Illinois.
Who can Visit
Visitors must be on the inmate’s approved list, which the inmate updates. Minors need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Individuals on parole or probation, or those who have been incarcerated within the past 30 days, are typically not allowed to visit.
ID and Approval Requirements
All adult visitors must show a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, military ID, Illinois Bar Association card, passport, or Matricula card. Minors may need proof of guardianship or a birth certificate to verify their relationship to the accompanying adult. Furthermore, all visitors entering the visitation area are subject to search and may be checked for active warrants.
Visit Duration and Scheduling
Standard non-contact visits last 30 minutes. Inmates typically receive one free visit per week after classification. Visitors are required to schedule 24 hours in advance through the VisManager portal or GettingOut app; walk-ins are not allowed.
For visitation schedule or further inquiries, contact Jail Command at (847) 377-4150 (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).
Mailing and Commissary Information
The Lake County Jail has implemented a Digital Mail System to enhance facility safety. As a result, personal mail is no longer sent directly to the jail in Waukegan. Instead, it is routed to a central processing center, where it is scanned and delivered to the inmate’s tablet. For all general correspondence (letters, drawings, and photos), follow this format:
Lake County Jail, IL
Inmate’s Full Name, Inmate
Identifier
P.O. Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131
All personal mail should include the sender’s full name and physical address. Furthermore, Legal mail, publications, and official correspondence should be mailed directly to the jail per existing policies.
Unaccepted Mail Items
- Personal checks, money orders, credit cards, and cash
- Non-paper items
- Items that may compromise security
- Books, magazines, or reading material (must be from approved vendors)
- Food items
- Clothing, hygiene items, or personal property
- Postage stamps or envelopes (sold in commissary)
- Photos/images with nudity
- Gang-related material, symbols, or text.
Inmates use Trust Fund accounts for commissary purchases. Deposits can be made through:
- Online: Visit ConnectNetwork.com to use a credit or debit card.
- Mobile App: Use the ConnectNetwork app (iOS/Android).
- Lobby Kiosk: Available 24/7 at Jail Reception Lobby, accepting cash, credit, or debit cards.
- Phone: Call 888-428-1845 for automated deposits.