Pulaski County

Pulaski County is located in the southernmost tip of Illinois, bordered by the Ohio River to the east and the Mississippi River to the west, forming the geographic point where Illinois meets both Kentucky and Missouri. Established in 1843 and named after Revolutionary War hero Count Casimir Pulaski, Pulaski County covers approximately 203 square miles and has a population of roughly 5,200 residents as of recent census estimates. Pulaski County seat is Mound City, situated along the Ohio River, while other incorporated municipalities include Olmsted, Mounds, and the village of Pulaski. Historically significant, Fort Defiance State Park marks the strategic confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, a site fortified during the Civil War by Union General Ulysses S. Grant. Pulaski County played a vital role in riverine commerce and military operations throughout the 19th century. Pulaski County is part of the Metro Lakeland area and contains portions of the Shawnee National Forest. Pulaski County Courthouse, located at 500 Illinois Avenue in Mound City, houses the County Clerk, Circuit Clerk, Recorder of Deeds, and County Assessor. Pulaski County Recorder maintains land records, while the County Clerk oversees vital records and elections. The Assessor's office, also based in Mound City, administers property tax assessments. This agricultural and river-dependent economy has shaped Pulaski County's character as a small, historically rich Southern Illinois community with deep ties to both river transportation and rural life.

The Public records in Pulaski County are accessible through the Pulaski County Circuit Court serves this county and is located at 500 Illinois Avenue. The court handles civil, criminal, family, and probate cases for the region. Court records and case filings can be requested in person or through the Illinois online court portal.

The Public records in Pulaski County are accessible through the Pulaski County Circuit Court in the area has jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases arising within the county, including family law, probate, small claims, and felony proceedings. Appeals from lower courts are also heard at this level. Case records are maintained by Pulaski Clerk of Courts and are accessible to the public under Illinois open records law.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

• Arrest records in Pulaski County are public records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), and requests can be submitted to the Sheriff's Office or the arresting municipal department.
• Booking photos and mugshots are generally considered public records and can be requested through FOIA, though some departments may charge copying fees.
• Due to Pulaski County's small size and limited digital infrastructure, many arrest and inmate records require in-person requests or phone inquiries rather than online searches.

Jail & Inmate Records

• The bond and bail process follows Illinois state guidelines, where a judge sets the bail amount, and payment can be made to secure an inmate's release.

• Fees for certified copies, file inspection, and document retrieval vary, typically ranging from a few dollars for copies to higher amounts for certified documents.
• In-person requests at the Circuit Clerk's office are common for Pulaski County residents.

• Many rural Illinois counties, including Pulaski, may have limited or no online property record search capability, requiring in-person or mail requests.
• Certified copies of recorded documents can be obtained for statutory fees, generally a few dollars per page plus a certification fee.

Vital records for this county include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued under state vital statistics law.

• Fees are typically around $15 for a certified birth certificate and $19 for a death certificate at Pulaski County level, with similar or slightly higher fees at the state level.
• Processing times vary: county requests may be fulfilled within a few days if records are on file, while state requests can take several weeks.
• Marriage records are public and can be requested by anyone.
• Online ordering of vital records may be available through the state's VitalChek service, though county offices generally require in-person or mail requests.

Business records, licenses, and permits for this county are processed by the County Clerk and local government offices.

• The Illinois Secretary of State offers a free online business entity search at www.ilsos.gov, where users can look up corporate names, registered agents, formation dates, and status.
• The Southern Five Regional Planning Commission provides planning and economic development support for Pulaski and surrounding counties.