Moultrie County

Moultrie County is located in central Illinois, established in 1843 and named after General William Moultrie, a hero of the American Revolutionary War. Moultrie County Seat is Sullivan, a community of approximately 4,400 residents situated along Illinois Route 32. Moultrie County includes approximately 336 square miles of predominantly agricultural land in the heart of Illinois' corn and soybean belt. As of the 2020 Census, Moultrie County's population was approximately 14,500 residents. Major communities include Sullivan, Lovington, Bethany, and Gays.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

Moultrie County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement across Moultrie County, particularly in unincorporated areas. The office oversees Moultrie County jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The Sheriff's Office is also involved in community programs meant to crime prevention and public safety education. The office works closely with other local law enforcement agencies to ensure a coordinated approach to maintaining law and order.

Police Departments

In addition to Moultrie County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement in Moultrie County is supported by municipal police departments. The Sullivan Police Department serves the city of Sullivan, providing local policing and community services. These agencies collaborate on major investigations and share resources to enhance public safety across Moultrie County. Each department operates within its jurisdiction but coordinates efforts to address county-wide issues.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

Moultrie County Sheriff's Office, located at 1613 West Jackson Street, Sullivan, IL 61951, is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas and provides patrol, investigations, civil process service, and jail operations. The Sheriff's Office can be reached for Moultrie County Jail, operated by the Sheriff's Office at the same location, houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates. Inmate lookup and jail roster information can typically be obtained by calling the jail directly or visiting the facility during business hours.

• Citizens may request arrest records, incident reports, and booking information by submitting a FOIA request to the Sheriff's Office or respective police department, either in writing or in person.
• Processing times vary, though agencies must respond within five business days under Illinois law.
• Mugshots and booking photos are generally considered public records in Illinois and may be obtained through FOIA requests to the arresting agency or the Sheriff's Office jail division.

Criminal Records

Moultrie County's criminal records system includes documentation of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and sex offender registrations. Moultrie County Circuit Clerk maintains these records, which can be accessed for background checks and legal proceedings. The Illinois State Police also provide criminal history information through the Illinois Bureau of Investigation, offering a full view of an individual's criminal background for residents and employers in Moultrie County.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Moultrie County are maintained by Moultrie County Sheriff's Office. These records can be requested by residents and attorneys through formal applications, adhering to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. An arrest record typically includes details such as the individual's name, date of arrest, charges, and booking information. The sheriff's office ensures that these records are accessible while complying with state privacy laws.

Jail & Inmate Records

Moultrie County Detention Center, located in Sullivan, is the primary facility for housing individuals who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or serving short sentences. The booking process includes fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information. Inmate information can be accessed through the sheriff's office, which provides details on visitation rules and schedules. The bond process follows Illinois state guidelines, allowing for the posting of bail to secure an inmate's release pending trial.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Mugshots in Moultrie County are taken and retained by Moultrie County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These images are part of the public record and can be accessed through the sheriff's office or online databases. Illinois does not have specific laws for the removal of mugshots from public records, but individuals can request corrections or updates if inaccuracies are found.

Moultrie County is served by the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois, with Moultrie County Circuit Court located at 10 South Main Street, Sullivan, IL 61951. The court can be reached for The Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over all civil, criminal, family law, probate, traffic, and juvenile matters arising in Moultrie County. Civil cases involving amounts under $50,000 and minor criminal matters are handled in the court's associate division, while felony cases, major civil litigation, and appeals from administrative agencies proceed in the circuit division.

• Copy fees are generally $2.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page, plus certification fees if required.
• Online case searches may be available through the Illinois Courts website or local e-filing systems, though full statewide online access remains limited.

Moultrie County Recorder of Deeds, located at 10 South Main Street, Sullivan, IL 61951, maintains all land records including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, releases, liens, easements, plat maps, and subdivision documents. The Recorder's office can be reached for These records date back to Moultrie County's founding in 1843 and constitute the official chain of title for all real property in Moultrie County. The office is open to the public for document inspection and copying during regular business hours, typically weekdays from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

• Recording fees vary by document type, with standard deeds costing approximately $50-$75 plus additional page fees.
• Certified copies of recorded documents are available for statutory fees, typically $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page, plus $2.00 for certification.

Vital records for Moultrie County, including birth and death certificates, are maintained by both Moultrie County Clerk's office and the Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Vital Records. Moultrie County Clerk, located at 10 South Main Street, Sullivan, IL 61951, phone, holds birth records for births occurring in Moultrie County and death records for deaths occurring in Moultrie County.

• Birth certificates cost approximately $15 for certified copies, while death certificates cost approximately $19 each, with additional copies of the same record ordered simultaneously available at reduced rates.
• Eligible requestors include the registrant (for birth records), family members, legal representatives, and parties with court orders.
• Processing time for in-person requests is typically immediate to several days, while mail requests may take two to four weeks.
• Divorce records (dissolution of marriage decrees) are maintained by the Circuit Clerk as court records rather than vital records and must be requested through the court system.

Business registration and licensing in Moultrie County involves multiple jurisdictions depending on business type and location. Moultrie County Clerk's office at 10 South Main Street, Sullivan, IL 61951, processes fictitious business name registrations (DBA - "Doing Business As") and assumed name certificates for businesses operating under names other than the owner's legal name, as required by the Assumed Business Name Act (805 ILCS 405/). Fees for assumed name registration are typically around $5 initially, with renewals required every five years.

• The Secretary of State maintains a searchable online database at www.ilsos.gov where the public can search business entities, verify good standing status, view registered agents, and access formation documents.

Elections in Moultrie County are administered by Moultrie County Clerk, serving as the County Clerk and Recorder, with offices located at 10 South Main Street, Sullivan, IL 61951. Moultrie County Clerk's election division can be reached for voter registration, polling place information, and election related inquiries. Voter registration in Illinois is available online through the Illinois State Board of Elections at www.elections.il.gov, in person at the County Clerk's office, at the Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services facilities, and through mail-in registration forms.

• Registered voters can verify their registration status and find their assigned polling place through the Illinois State Board of Elections website voter information lookup tool or by contacting the County Clerk directly.
• In the November 2024 general election, Moultrie County voter turnout was approximately 60-70% of registered voters, consistent with typical rural Illinois county turnout in presidential election years.

Moultrie County's economy is heavily centered on agriculture, with corn, soybeans, wheat, and livestock production dominating land use and employment. Moultrie County's 336 square miles of fertile prairie soil support hundreds of family farms and agricultural operations that form the backbone of the local economy. According to U.S. Census data, the median household income in Moultrie County was approximately $58,000-$62,000 in recent estimates, slightly below the Illinois state median.

• Economic development initiatives focus on downtown Sullivan revitalization, business retention and expansion, agricultural value-added processing, and tourism infrastructure improvements.
• Route 36 provides transportation access to regional markets, while proximity to Decatur, Champaign-Urbana, and other central Illinois population centers offers employment and commerce opportunities for residents.

Court Records: Limited: In-Person/Phone | Property: Limited: Online | Arrest/Jail: Limited: Call/In-Person | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person or State Portal | Business: Yes: State Online | Elections: Limited: Phone/In-Person | Overall Score: 5/10, Moultrie County maintains traditional in-person access to most public records with limited online services; improvements in digital accessibility would enhance transparency.

Explore public records for 5 cities and communities in Moultrie County, Illinois.