About Kankakee County
Kankakee County is located in northeastern Illinois, approximately 60 miles south of Chicago along the Kankakee River. Established in 1853, Kankakee County covers approximately 677 square miles and is a historic transportation corridor between Chicago and the southern regions of Illinois. Kankakee County Seat is Kankakee area, a city that developed as a major railroad junction in the 19th century. As of recent census estimates, Kankakee County has a population of approximately 110,000 residents.
Kankakee County is named after the Kankakee area River, which derives from the Miami-Illinois word for "wolf place." Kankakee County features relatively flat terrain characteristic of the Grand Prairie region of Illinois, with rich agricultural lands surrounding urban centers. Major municipalities include Kankakee area, Bourbonnais, Bradley, and Manteno. Notable landmarks include Kankakee area River State Park, which offers 11 miles of scenic river views, hiking trails, and historic sites.
Kankakee County's government is administered from Kankakee County Courthouse located at 450 East Court Street in Kankakee area. Key county offices include Kankakee County Recorder of Deeds at 189 East Court Street, Suite 202, responsible for maintaining land records and documents; Kankakee County Clerk, which handles vital records, elections, and county board proceedings; and Kankakee Chief County Assessment Officer, responsible for property valuations and tax assessments. Kankakee County has a rich industrial history, particularly in manufacturing and agriculture, and continues to serve as an important economic center in Kankakee County with access to Interstate 57 and historic U.S.
Route 45.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Kankakee County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in the unincorporated areas of Kankakee County. This office oversees the operations of Kankakee County Jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. Notable programs include neighborhood watch initiatives and public safety education campaigns meant to reducing crime and increasing community engagement.
Police Departments
Law enforcement in Kankakee County is provided by both Kankakee County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments. The city of Kankakee is served by the Kankakee Police Department, while Bradley and Bourbonnais have their own police departments. Each department is responsible for maintaining public safety within its jurisdiction, handling local crime, and coordinating with the Sheriff's Office on major investigations. These agencies work together on joint task forces and share resources to effectively address crime across Kankakee County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Law enforcement in Kankakee County is primarily provided by Kankakee County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 3000 South Justice Way in Kankakee, Illinois 60901. The agency provides patrol services to unincorporated areas of Kankakee County, operates the Jerome Combs Detention Center (county jail), and serves civil process.
- The facility processes thousands of bookings annually.
- Arrest records in Kankakee County are considered public records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), which requires agencies to respond to public records requests within five business days.
- Citizens can request arrest records by submitting written requests to the specific law enforcement agency that made the arrest.
- Historical arrest records may require formal FOIA requests and may be subject to fees for copying and certification.
To look up inmates currently housed at the Jerome Combs Detention Center, citizens can visit the Sheriff's Office website and access the inmate roster, which typically includes booking information, charges, bond amounts, and expected court dates. Municipal police departments operate independently in incorporated areas, including Kankakee Police Department, Bourbonnais Police Department, Bradley Police Department, Manteno Police Department, and Momence Police Department. Each maintains its own records division.
Mugshots and booking photographs are generally available through the Sheriff's Office inmate roster for current detainees.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records ecosystem in Kankakee County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Kankakee County Circuit Clerk maintains court records, while the Sheriff's Office handles arrest and booking records. Residents can conduct background checks through the Illinois State Police, which provides access to statewide criminal history information. The Illinois State Police offers additional resources for Kankakee residents seeking detailed background checks, including fingerprint-based searches for more full results.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Kankakee County are maintained by Kankakee County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges, and booking information. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by submitting a formal request to the Sheriff's Office, either in person or through their official website. The information typically found on a Kankakee County arrest record includes the individual's name, date of arrest, charges, and booking details.
- The process is governed by the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, which ensures public access to such records while protecting individual privacy rights.
Jail & Inmate Records
Kankakee County Detention Center is the primary jail facility in Kankakee County. It handles the booking process for people arrested within Kankakee County, where they are photographed and fingerprinted. Inmate information can be accessed through Kankakee County's online inmate lookup tool, which provides details on current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to this facility, requiring visitors to schedule appointments in advance and adhere to strict security protocols.
- The bond and bail process in Illinois allows for the posting of bail through cash or bond services, and information on recently arrested individuals can be obtained by contacting the detention center directly.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Kankakee County are taken and retained by Kankakee County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office website or by submitting a formal request. While Illinois does not have specific laws for mugshot removal, individuals can petition for removal if the charges are dropped or if they are acquitted. The availability of mugshots online varies, and some third-party websites may also host these images.
Courts & Case Records
The judicial system in Kankakee County operates under the 21st Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois, which is headquartered at Kankakee County Courthouse, 450 East Court Street, Kankakee, Illinois 60901. The Circuit Court can be contacted through the office’s website. The Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters arising in Kankakee County, including felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits, family law matters including divorce and custody, probate and estate proceedings, traffic violations, and juvenile matters.
- Copy fees are typically $2.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page for standard documents, with certified copies requiring an additional fee.
- For historical records or archived cases, researchers may need to submit formal requests and allow additional processing time.
The court is divided into several divisions: Criminal, Civil, Traffic, Family, and Probate. Court records in Illinois are generally public under Illinois Supreme Court Rules and the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140). The 21st Circuit maintains a case search system accessible through the Illinois state courts website at www.illinoiscourts.gov, though some records must be accessed in person at the Circuit Clerk's office.
Kankakee County Circuit Clerk, located at 450 East Court Street, Room 204, maintains all case files and court records. Citizens can search for case information by party name, case number, or attorney name. Some records, including sealed cases, juvenile records, and certain family law matters, are restricted from public access by statute.
The Circuit Clerk's office is open during regular business hours Monday through Friday. Online access to some documents may require registration and payment through the state's e-filing system.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records in Kankakee County are maintained by Kankakee County Recorder of Deeds of Deeds, located at 189 East Court Street, Suite 202, Kankakee, Illinois 60901. The Recorder's Office can be contacted at and maintains a website where some records can be accessed. The Recorder is responsible for recording and preserving documents affecting real property in Kankakee County, including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, mortgage releases, liens (mechanic's liens, judgment liens, tax liens), easements, declarations of trust, and plat maps for subdivisions.
- The office has been digitizing historical records, and many documents dating back decades are now available online.
- Kankakee County Recorder of Deeds provides an online document search system on their website where users can search by name (grantor/grantee), document type, legal description, or document number.
- Certified copies typically cost $4.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page.
- The Assessor provides property valuations, parcel identification numbers (PINs), and assessment information.
- This tool is available on Kankakee County's website and provides valuable information for property research, though supplemented with official recorded documents for legal purposes.
Illinois law requires these documents to be recorded to provide constructive notice and establish priority of interests. Viewing documents online may be free for initial searches, though printing or obtaining certified copies requires payment. Property tax information is maintained by Kankakee Chief County Assessment Officer's Office at 189 East Court Street, Suite 204, phone, and Kankakee County Treasurer at 189 East Court Street, Suite 101.
Kankakee County maintains a Geographic Information System (GIS) online parcel viewer that allows citizens to search for properties, view parcel boundaries, assess tax information, and access ownership data.
Vital Records
Vital records for Kankakee County, Illinois are maintained by multiple agencies depending on the record type and date. Birth and death certificates that occurred in Kankakee County can be requested from Kankakee County Clerk's Office, located at 189 East Court Street, Kankakee, Illinois 60901 Kankakee County Clerk maintains birth records and death records for events that occurred within county jurisdiction.
- Birth certificates in Illinois typically cost $15 for a certified copy, with additional copies ordered at the same time costing $2 each.
- Death certificates follow a similar fee structure.
- Processing time varies but generally takes 4-6 weeks for mail requests, though in-person requests at Kankakee County level may be processed more quickly if the record is readily available.
- Marriage licenses are issued by Kankakee County Clerk's Office; couples must apply in person, provide valid identification, and pay the required fee (typically around $50-60).
- Certified copies of marriage certificates can be obtained from the County Clerk for $5.
However, the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records in Springfield is the central state repository for all vital records and may be the preferred source for records requests, particularly for older records or when the exact location of the event is unknown. There is no waiting period in Illinois, and the marriage license is valid for 60 days. Divorce records (Dissolution of Marriage decrees) are maintained by Kankakee County Circuit Clerk at the courthouse, as these are court proceedings rather than vital records.
Illinois vital records law is codified at 410 ILCS 535 (Vital Records Act). Online ordering may be available through the state's vendor VitalChek for an additional processing fee. Requesters must provide valid photo identification and proof of eligibility, as Illinois restricts access to vital records to the registrant, family members, legal representatives, or those with a direct and tangible interest.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Kankakee County are maintained by multiple agencies depending on the business type and licensing requirements. Kankakee County Clerk's Office, located at 189 East Court Street, Kankakee, Illinois 60901, handles registration of assumed business names (Doing Business As or DBA filings) and fictitious name registrations for businesses operating in Kankakee County under a name different from the legal owner's name. These filings cost approximately $26 and must be renewed every five years under the Assumed Business Name Act (805 ILCS 405).
- The Secretary of State maintains a full online business entity search at www.ilsos.gov where anyyou can look up registered businesses, view filing status, registered agents, and organizational documents.
For formal business entity registrations including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and not-for-profit corporations, businesses must file with the Illinois Secretary of State's Business Services Department. Most businesses operating in Illinois must also obtain an Illinois Business Tax number (IBT) for sales tax purposes from the Illinois Department of Revenue. Professional licenses for occupations such as real estate agents, contractors, cosmetologists, and healthcare professionals are issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), not at Kankakee County level.
Building permits and zoning matters in unincorporated areas of Kankakee County are handled by Kankakee County Building and Zoning Department, while incorporated municipalities handle their own permitting. Kankakee County Convention and Visitors Bureau and regional chambers of commerce, including Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce (website: kankakeecountychamber.com), provide resources for businesses and maintain directories of local businesses, though these are not official licensing bodies. Some business activities may require specific local licenses or permits from municipal governments within Kankakee County.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Kankakee County, Illinois are administered by Kankakee County Clerk's Office, serving as the County County Recorder of Deeds of Deeds of Deeds. The elections division is located at 189 East Court Street, Kankakee, Illinois 60901, and can be contacted through the office’s website. Kankakee County Clerk's website provides election information, sample ballots, and results at their official website.
- Illinois offers same-day voter registration during the early voting period and on Election Day, though residents are encouraged to register by the deadline 16 days before an election for regular registration.
- To register, individuals must be U.S.
- In the November 2024 general election, Kankakee County saw voter turnout of approximately 55-60 percent of registered voters, consistent with typical presidential election participation in Illinois counties.
- Voters can request mail ballots through the County Clerk's office online, by mail, or in person.
Voter registration in Illinois can be completed online through the Illinois State Board of Elections at www.elections.il.gov, in person at the County Clerk's office, at Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services facilities, or by mail. Citizens, be 18 years old by Election Day, and have lived in their precinct for at least 30 days prior to the election. Voters can find their specific polling place by visiting the Illinois State Board of Elections website and entering their address, or by contacting the County Clerk's office directly.
Kankakee County Clerk maintains precinct assignments and polling location information for all 109 precincts in Kankakee County. Election records that are public in Illinois include voter registration lists (available for purchase for political and election purposes under 10 ILCS 5/1-9), campaign finance disclosures filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections, candidate filing documents, and certified election results by precinct. The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, and will include U.S.
House of Representatives races, Illinois state legislative seats, several statewide offices, and local positions. Absentee and mail-in voting is available to all Illinois voters without requiring an excuse under recently expanded vote-by-mail provisions. Applications must be received by specific deadlines before the election.
Early voting is available at designated locations in Kankakee County beginning 40 days before the election and continuing through the day before Election Day. Illinois election law (10 ILCS 5) provides for public access to election records, and citizens can request precinct-level results, voter turnout data, and other election administration records under the Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140). Kankakee County Clerk publishes official election results on their website following certification.
Economy & Demographics
Kankakee County's economy has historically been anchored in manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and distribution logistics, benefiting from its strategic location along Interstate 57 and its proximity to Chicago markets. Major employers in Kankakee County include Riverside Healthcare (Kankakee County's largest healthcare system), Kankakee School District 111, Nucor Steel Kankakee County (a major steel producer), Novelis Corporation (aluminum rolling and recycling), and CSL Behring (pharmaceutical manufacturing).
- According to recent economic data, the median household income in Kankakee County is approximately $56,000 to $60,000, which is below both state and national averages.
The healthcare and social assistance sector represents a significant portion of employment, followed by manufacturing, retail trade, and education. Agriculture remains important in the rural portions of Kankakee County, with corn and soybean production dominating farmland use. Kankakee County's unemployment rate has historically tracked slightly above state averages but has seen improvement with diversification efforts.
Significant economic development projects include the expansion of Kankakee Corporate Center industrial park, development along the I-57 corridor, and investments in the River Valley METRO Mass Transit District to improve regional transportation. Kankakee County benefits from several major transportation assets including Canadian National Railway operations, multiple trucking and distribution centers, and proximity to Chicago's airports and intermodal facilities. Tourism contributes to the local economy through Kankakee River State Park, which attracts outdoor enthusiasts for fishing, hiking, and camping.
Kankakee County has faced economic challenges including population decline and competition from suburban Chicago counties, leading to focused efforts by Kankakee County Economic Alliance to attract new businesses and retain existing employers through workforce development and infrastructure improvements.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online via State Portal | Property: Yes: Online Recorder Search & GIS | Arrest/Jail: Yes: Online Inmate Roster | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person or Mail Required | Business: Yes: State Online Search | Elections: Yes: Online Information & Results | Overall Score: 8/10, Kankakee County provides good digital access to most public records with online property searches, court case lookup, and jail rosters readily available.
Official Government Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Kankakee County
Explore public records for 13 cities and communities in Kankakee County, Illinois.