About Jersey County
Jersey County is located in southwestern Illinois along the Illinois River, positioned between the Mississippi River to the west and the Illinois River to the east. Jersey County Seat is Jerseyville, a community of approximately 8,400 residents. Jersey County includes approximately 370 square miles and has a total population of around 21,500 people according to recent census estimates. Jersey County was established on February 28, 1839, and named after the state of New Jersey, from which many early settlers originated.
The scene is characterized by rolling hills, fertile agricultural land, and scenic river valleys. Major landmarks include Pere Marquette State Park, one of Illinois' largest state parks located along the Illinois River bluffs, and the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway. Jersey County's economy has historically been anchored by agriculture, with corn and soybean production dominating, though manufacturing and service industries have grown significantly.
Jersey County Courthouse, located at 201 West Pearl Street in Jerseyville, houses the County Clerk's office and other administrative functions. Jersey County Recorder's office, responsible for maintaining land records, operates from the same courthouse complex. Jersey County Assessor's office, located at 200 North Lafayette Street in Jerseyville, handles property tax assessments and maintains parcel information.
Jersey County retains much of its rural character while being within commuting distance of the St. Louis metropolitan area, making it an attractive location If you need small-town living with access to urban amenities.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Jersey County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in Jersey County, particularly in the unincorporated areas. The office is tasked with patrolling these regions, managing Jersey County jail, processing arrests, and maintaining criminal records. The Sheriff's Office also engages in community outreach and crime prevention programs, aiming to foster a safe environment for all residents. Notable divisions within the office include the patrol division, investigations, and a dedicated team for handling civil process services.
Police Departments
Jersey County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including Jersey County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments. The Jerseyville Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency within the city limits of Jerseyville, handling local crime and community policing. Other municipal departments, such as the Grafton Police Department, provide services within their respective jurisdictions. These agencies collaborate on major crimes and emergencies, making sure of a coordinated response across Jersey County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Jersey County Sheriff's Office, located at 200 North Lafayette Street in Jerseyville, Illinois 62052, is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of Jersey County. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at and maintains a website at www.jerseycounty-il.gov where some public information is available. Jersey County Jail, operated by the Sheriff's Office at the same location, houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced individuals.
- Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.), citizens have the right to request arrest records from law enforcement agencies.
- Written requests should be submitted to the specific law enforcement agency that made the arrest, and agencies must respond within five business days.
- Mugshots and booking photos are considered public records in Illinois and can be requested through FOIA requests to the Sheriff's Office or arresting agency.
- The Sheriff's Office maintains records of all bookings at Jersey County jail, including photographs taken during the booking process.
- Processing fees may apply for copies of records, typically not exceeding actual copying costs.
Inmate information can be obtained by calling the jail directly at during business hours, though online inmate lookup capabilities are limited. Municipal police departments operate in Jerseyville (Jerseyville Police Department at 115 North State Street) and Grafton (Grafton Police Department). Arrest records typically include booking information, charges filed, arrest date and location, and bond information.
Some booking information may be restricted if it involves ongoing investigations or juvenile offenders. For recent arrests and bookings, contacting the jail directly often provides the quickest access to information. Jersey County does not have tribal police jurisdiction, as there are no federally recognized tribal lands within Jersey County.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records ecosystem in Jersey County includes various types of records, including felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Jersey County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records, which are accessible to the public under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. Residents can conduct background checks through the Illinois State Police, which provides full criminal history information.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Jersey County are maintained by Jersey County Sheriff's Office, which documents all arrests made within Jersey County. These records can be requested by residents and attorneys through formal written requests, adhering to the guidelines set forth by the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. A typical arrest record in Jersey County includes the individual's personal information, details of the arrest, charges filed, and the arresting agency. The Sheriff's Office ensures that these records are accessible while maintaining compliance with state privacy laws.
Jail & Inmate Records
Jersey County Jail, located in Jerseyville, is the primary detention facility for Jersey County. It handles the booking process for people arrested within Jersey County, where they are processed and held pending bail or court appearances. Inmate information can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office, which provides resources for locating individuals currently detained. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, requiring visitors to schedule appointments and adhere to set guidelines.
- The bond process in Illinois allows for cash bonds or bail bonds through a licensed agency, helping with the release of detainees under certain conditions.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Jersey County are taken and retained by Jersey County Sheriff's Office as part of the booking process. These booking photos are considered public records and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office or through third-party websites that aggregate such data. While Illinois does not have specific laws for mugshot removal, individuals may request removal from third-party sites based on privacy concerns or inaccuracies. The Sheriff's Office provides guidelines on how to search for and obtain mugshots, for public access and accessibility.
Courts & Case Records
Jersey County is served by the Third Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois, with Jersey County Courthouse located at 201 West Pearl Street, Jerseyville, Illinois 62052. The Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters arising in Jersey County, including felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, civil lawsuits, traffic violations, family law matters including divorce and custody, probate and estate administration, and juvenile cases.
- The Circuit Clerk's office maintains all court records and provides public access during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
- In-person requests at the Circuit Clerk's office allow access to case files, dockets, judgments, and court orders.
- Fees for certified copies are established by Illinois statute at approximately $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page, with a $6.00 certification fee.
- Regular photocopies are typically $0.50 per page.
The court can be reached for Court records are accessible under Illinois Supreme Court Rules and the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.). While Jersey County does not currently offer full online case lookup through a county-specific portal, case information can be searched through the Illinois courts system. Traffic and misdemeanor cases are heard in the Circuit Court, as Illinois does not maintain separate municipal courts for these matters in counties of this size.
Probate matters, including wills, estates, and guardianships, are handled by the probate division of the Circuit Court. Marriage licenses are issued by the County Clerk, but dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk. Access to certain records, including sealed cases, juvenile matters, and some mental health proceedings, may be restricted by law.
Property & Public Records
Jersey County Recorder of Deeds office, located at 201 West Pearl Street in Jerseyville, Illinois 62052, maintains all land and property records for Jersey County. The Recorder's office can be reached at and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Available records include warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages and deeds of trust, mortgage releases, liens (mechanics liens, judgment liens, tax liens), easements and right-of-way agreements, plat maps and subdivision records, and Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings.
- Jersey County Assessor's office, located at 200 North Lafayette Street, Jerseyville, IL 62052 (phone: 618-498-5571 ext.
- The Assessor's office provides property tax information and maintains parcel maps.
- Certified copies of recorded documents can be requested from the Recorder's office for a fee of approximately $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page, plus a certification fee.
The office has been digitizing historical records, with many documents now available in electronic format. While Jersey County does not currently offer a full free online document search portal, inquiries can be made by phone or in person. 222), maintains property tax assessment records, parcel identification numbers, property descriptions, and assessed valuations.
Property tax payment records are maintained by the County Treasurer's office at the same courthouse address. The Recorder's office staff can conduct document searches for specific properties using legal descriptions or parcel numbers. Under Illinois law (55 ILCS 5/3-5018), the Recorder must maintain proper indexes and make records available for public inspection.
Some GIS mapping capabilities may be available through the Assessor's office for property identification and boundary verification.
Vital Records
Vital records for Jersey County, Illinois are primarily handled through Jersey County Clerk's office, located at 201 West Pearl Street, Jerseyville, Illinois 62052, phone. Birth and death certificates that occurred in Jersey County can be requested from the County Clerk for a fee of approximately $15.00 for a certified copy, with additional copies typically $2.00 each.
- Processing time for vital records at Jersey County level is typically 1-2 weeks, while state-level requests may take 4-6 weeks.
- The marriage license fee in Illinois is approximately $30-$40.
- Online ordering of vital records is available through VitalChek (www.vitalchek.com), the state's authorized vendor, though additional service fees apply.
- Expedited service is available for an additional fee.
However, the Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Vital Records (phone: 217-782-6553, website: www.dph.illinois.gov) is the central repository for all Illinois vital records and is often the more full source, particularly for records older than one year. Birth certificates in Illinois are restricted to the registrant (if 18 or older), parents listed on the certificate, legal guardians, or legal representatives, and require valid photo identification. Death certificates have broader access, available to immediate family members, legal representatives, and anyone with a documented legal interest.
Marriage licenses are issued by Jersey County Clerk's office, with couples required to apply in person. There is no waiting period or blood test required, and the license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance. Divorce records (dissolution of marriage decrees) are maintained by Jersey County Circuit Clerk as court records, not vital records.
Illinois vital records law is codified at 410 ILCS 535/1 et seq. Birth records less than 75 years old and death records less than 20 years old have restricted access to protect privacy.
Business & Licensing
Business records and licensing in Jersey County are handled through multiple agencies depending on the type of business activity. Jersey County Clerk's office, located at 201 West Pearl Street, Jerseyville, IL 62052 (phone: 618-498-5571), maintains records of assumed business names (DBA - Doing Business As) and fictitious name registrations filed at Jersey County level. Businesses operating under a name other than the owner's legal name must register with the County Clerk.
- This free online database provides information about business formation dates, registered agents, status (active, dissolved, revoked), and filing history.
- Building permits and zoning approvals in unincorporated Jersey County are processed through Jersey County Zoning Department, while municipalities handle their own building permits within city limits.
- Jersey County Regional Chamber of Commerce, located in Jerseyville, provides business resources and networking opportunities (www.Jersey Countycountybusiness.com).
The Illinois Secretary of State Business Services Department maintains the full Illinois Business Entity Search portal (www.ilsos.gov/corporatellc), where anyyou can search for corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and not-for-profit corporations registered in Illinois. Professional licenses (medical, legal, real estate, cosmetology, etc.) are issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, not at Jersey County level. Sales tax permits are handled by the Illinois Department of Revenue.
Business personal property tax assessments are handled by the County Assessor's office. Contractors and certain business categories may require specific local licenses from individual municipalities. Alcohol licenses (liquor licenses) are issued by both municipal governments for businesses within city limits and by Jersey County Liquor Commission for unincorporated areas.
Occupation tax certificates may be required for certain business activities.
Elections & Voter Records
Election administration in Jersey County is managed by Jersey County Clerk's office, which is the election authority for Jersey County. Jersey County Clerk's office is located at 201 West Pearl Street, Jerseyville, Illinois 62052, and can be reached for Election information and updates are posted on Jersey County website at www.jerseycounty-il.gov. Voter registration in Jersey County can be completed in person at the County Clerk's office, at designated deputy registrar locations, or online through the Illinois State Board of Elections website at www.elections.il.gov.
- Vote-by-mail (absentee) ballots in Jersey County can be requested through the County Clerk's office by submitting an application online through the State Board of Elections website, by mail, in person, or by fax.
- Applications must be received by the Thursday before Election Day, though voters can request mail ballots in person at the County Clerk's office up until the day before the election.
- Under Illinois Election Code (10 ILCS 5/1-1 et seq.), citizens have the right to request and inspect election materials including vote totals, pollbooks, and other election records.
- Illinois provides relatively strong election transparency, with precinct-level results published and accessible to the public.
Illinois law requires voter registration applications to be submitted at least 27 days before an election. Online voter registration is available to anyone with a valid Illinois driver's license or state ID card. Same-day voter registration is available during the early voting period and on Election Day at designated locations.
To find your polling place in Jersey County, voters can contact the County Clerk's office or use the polling place lookup tool on the Illinois State Board of Elections website by entering their address. Election records that are public in Illinois include voter registration lists (though with some personal information redacted), candidate filing documents, campaign finance disclosure reports filed with the State Board of Elections, election results by precinct, and vote totals for all races. In the November 2024 general election, Jersey County experienced turnout of approximately 68%, consistent with rural Illinois counties in presidential election years.
The next major election is November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House of Representatives races, one U.S. Senate seat (depending on the cycle), Illinois constitutional offices including Governor (if applicable to the cycle), Illinois General Assembly seats, and various county offices.
Early voting is available at designated locations in Jerseyville typically beginning 40 days before an election.
Economy & Demographics
Jersey County's economy is primarily based on agriculture, manufacturing, and service industries, with its proximity to the St. Louis metropolitan area providing economic opportunities for commuters. Agriculture remains the dominant land use, with corn and soybean farming comprising the majority of crop production. Cattle operations and other livestock farming also contribute significantly to the agricultural economy. The median household income in Jersey County is approximately $62,000, slightly below the Illinois state median but reflecting the rural character of Jersey County.
- Jersey County has attracted food processing and light manufacturing operations due to its strategic location along major transportation corridors.
- Jersey County's location along the Illinois River and proximity to major highways including Illinois Route 67 and Illinois Route 100 provides logistical advantages.
Major employers include the Jerseyville Community Hospital District, Jersey Community Unit School District #100, and various manufacturing facilities. Walmart Distribution Center and other logistics operations in nearby areas provide employment opportunities for county residents. The tourism sector contributes to the local economy, particularly in Grafton and along the Great Rivers area, where Pere Marquette State Park attracts visitors year-round for hiking, birdwatching, and eagle viewing during winter months.
The park's lodge and conference center generate hospitality employment. Retail and service businesses concentrated in Jerseyville serve Jersey County population. Unemployment rates in Jersey County typically track slightly above state averages, fluctuating between 4-6% in recent years depending on seasonal agricultural cycles.
Economic development initiatives have focused on industrial park development and small business incubation. Several limestone quarries and aggregate operations contribute to the industrial base. Jersey County has seen modest population growth, with some residential development occurring as families seek more affordable housing compared to urban areas while maintaining access to St.
Louis area employment through commuting.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Limited: In-Person/Phone | Property: Limited: Online Access | Arrest/Jail: Limited: Phone Required | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person or State Website | Business: Yes: Online (State) | Elections: Yes: Online | Overall Score: 5/10, Jersey County provides basic public records access primarily through in-person requests and phone inquiries, with limited online search capabilities for county-specific records, though state-level databases fill some gaps.
Official Government Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Jersey County
Explore public records for 5 cities and communities in Jersey County, Illinois.