About Tazewell County
Tazewell County is located in central Illinois along the Illinois River, approximately 150 miles southwest of Chicago and immediately east of Peoria. Established in 1827 and named after Littleton Tazewell, a U.S. Senator from Virginia and friend of Illinois Governor Ninian Edwards, Tazewell County includes approximately 658 square miles. Tazewell County Seat is Pekin, a city with deep industrial roots and rich history. According to recent census estimates, Tazewell County has a population of approximately 131,000 residents, making it one of the more populous counties in central Illinois.
Tazewell County is home to several significant communities including East Peoria, Morton, Washington, Creve Coeur, Tremont, and Mackinaw. Major landmarks include the Robert Michel Bridge spanning the Illinois River, Parklands Foundation nature preserves, and Mackinaw River State Fish and Wildlife Area. Tazewell County's economy historically centered on agriculture, river commerce, and manufacturing.
Tazewell County Courthouse, located at 342 Court Street in Pekin, houses several key offices. Tazewell County Recorder's Office maintains property records at 11 South Fourth Street, Room 103, Pekin, IL 61554. Tazewell County Clerk's office is located at 11 South Fourth Street, Room 101, and handles vital records, elections, and various licensing functions.
Tazewell County Assessor, responsible for property valuations, operates from the same government complex. What makes Tazewell County unique is its position as part of the Peoria Metropolitan Statistical Area while maintaining strong agricultural traditions alongside significant industrial operations, particularly in heavy machinery manufacturing, distilling operations including prominent facilities in Pekin, and logistics centers.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Tazewell County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order within Tazewell County's unincorporated areas. The office is tasked with patrolling these areas, managing Tazewell County jail, processing arrests, and maintaining criminal records. The Sheriff's Office is known for its commitment to community policing and public safety, offering various programs meant to crime prevention and community engagement.
Police Departments
Law enforcement in Tazewell County is provided by Tazewell County Sheriff's Office and several municipal police departments. The Pekin Police Department, East Peoria Police Department, and Morton Police Department are among the key agencies serving Tazewell County's cities. Each department has jurisdiction within its respective city limits, while the Sheriff's Office covers the unincorporated areas. These agencies collaborate on major crimes and emergencies, making sure of full coverage and response across Tazewell County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Law enforcement in Tazewell County is primarily coordinated by Tazewell County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 100 Court Street in Pekin, Illinois 61554. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at and maintains a website at www.tazewell.il.gov/sheriff. The agency provides patrol services to unincorporated areas, operates Tazewell County Detention Center (county jail), and manages civil process serving and court security.
- The detention facility booking information is updated regularly and provides transparent access to custody status.
- Citizens may request arrest records by submitting a written FOIA request to the Sheriff's Office or the municipal police department that made the arrest.
- Processing fees for copies of reports typically range from minimal copying costs to approximately $5-10 per report depending on the agency and volume of records requested.
Inmate lookup and jail roster information is available through the Sheriff's Office website, where citizens can search for current inmates by name or booking number, view booking photos, charges, bond amounts, and projected release dates. Municipal police departments serving Tazewell County communities include the Pekin Police Department, East Peoria Police Department, Morton Police Department, Washington Police Department, Creve Coeur Police Department, and smaller departments in Tremont, Mackinaw, and other incorporated municipalities. Each department maintains its own records division.
Arrest records in Tazewell County are considered public records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.). Mugshots and booking photos are typically included in jail records accessible through the Sheriff's detention center roster. Some arrest information may be restricted if it involves ongoing investigations, juvenile offenders, or sealed records.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Tazewell County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and entries in the sex offender registry. Tazewell County Circuit Clerk's Office maintains 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 a full criminal history report. The Illinois Bureau of Investigation also offers services to Tazewell residents, including fingerprint-based background checks for employment and licensing purposes.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Tazewell County are maintained by Tazewell County Sheriff's Office. These records provide detailed information about the circumstances of an individual's arrest, including the date, time, location, and charges filed. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. The process is governed by the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, which ensures public access to government records while protecting individual privacy rights.
Jail & Inmate Records
Tazewell County Jail, located in Pekin, is the primary detention facility for people arrested within Tazewell County. The booking process at the jail involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the detainees. Inmate lookup services are available online, allowing the public to search for current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, with scheduled visiting hours and regulations that must be adhered to by visitors.
- The bond and bail process in Illinois allows for the release of detainees pending trial, and information on posting bail can be obtained through the jail's administration.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Tazewell County are taken and retained by Tazewell County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These photographs 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 may 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 offer additional search capabilities If you need booking photos.
Courts & Case Records
Tazewell County is served by the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois, which handles all civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and juvenile matters for Tazewell County. Tazewell County Circuit Court is located at 342 Court Street, Pekin, IL 61554, and can be reached for The circuit court is divided into several divisions including criminal, civil, domestic relations (family law), probate and guardianship, traffic, and juvenile.
- The Circuit Clerk's Office maintains all court records and provides public access during regular business hours, Monday through Friday.
- Certified copies of court documents can be requested from the Circuit Clerk's office with fees typically ranging from $2 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page, plus a $6 certification fee.
- In-person requests are processed at the Clerk's counter, and mail requests require written specification of the documents needed along with prepayment.
- The court also handles small claims matters with jurisdiction up to $10,000, eviction proceedings, and orders of protection.
Court records are generally public under Illinois Supreme Court Rules and the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, though certain records involving juveniles, adoption, mental health proceedings, and sealed cases are confidential. Online case lookup is available through the Illinois Judicial Information Network portal at www.judici.com, which provides free access to case information including party names, case numbers, filing dates, dispositions, and judgments for both civil and criminal cases in Tazewell County. The Judici system allows searches by party name, case number, or attorney.
Illinois court records access is governed by Supreme Court Rule 201 and the general public records provisions of 5 ILCS 140.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records in Tazewell County are maintained by Tazewell County Recorder's Office, located at 11 South Fourth Street, Room 103, Pekin, IL 61554. The Recorder can be reached at and operates Monday through Friday during regular business hours.
- The office provides online access to recorded documents through a subscription service available at www.tazewell.il.gov, allowing users to search by grantor/grantee name, document type, or legal description.
- Certified copies of recorded documents are available for a fee of $4 for the first page and $1 for each additional page.
- The Assessor's office provides property assessment data, recent sales information, and property characteristics.
The Recorder's Office maintains and indexes documents affecting real property including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, mortgage releases and satisfactions, liens (mechanics liens, judgment liens, tax liens), easements, plat maps, subdivision plats, and various other instruments affecting title to real estate. Illinois law requires recording to provide constructive notice and establish priority of property interests. Document images can be viewed and printed.
Property tax records and assessment information are handled by Tazewell County Supervisor of Assessments, located at 11 South Fourth Street, Room 200, Pekin, IL 61554, phone. An online Geographic Information System (GIS) parcel viewer is available through Tazewell County website, allowing users to search parcels by address, parcel number, or owner name, and view parcel boundaries, assessment values, tax information, and property characteristics on interactive maps. Property tax payment and delinquency information is managed by Tazewell County Treasurer's Office for All property records are public under Illinois law (765 ILCS 5/).
Vital Records
Vital records for Tazewell County, Illinois are maintained both at Tazewell County level and by the Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Vital Records. Birth and death certificates occurring in Tazewell County can be obtained from Tazewell County Clerk's Office, located at 11 South Fourth Street, Room 101, Pekin, IL 61554, phone. Tazewell County Clerk maintains birth records and death records for events occurring within Tazewell County.
- The fee for a certified copy of a birth or death certificate from the County Clerk is typically $19 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time.
- Processing time for in-person requests is usually immediate if the record is on file; mail requests typically take 2-3 weeks.
- Death certificates are available to a broader range of requestors including family members and persons with legal interest.
- Marriage licenses are issued by Tazewell County Clerk's Office, with a fee of approximately $60.
- Certified copies of marriage certificates cost approximately $4.
Birth certificates are restricted to the person named (if of legal age), parents listed on the certificate, legal guardians, or legal representatives with proper identification and documentation. There is no waiting period in Illinois, and the license is valid for 60 days from issuance and valid only in Tazewell County where issued, though the ceremony can occur anywhere in Illinois. Divorce records (Dissolution of Marriage decrees) are maintained by Tazewell County Circuit Clerk at the courthouse, not the County Clerk.
For vital records more than one year old or if faster service is needed, requestors may contact the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records, 925 E. Ridgely Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702, phone, or order online through www.vitalchek.com. Illinois vital records law is codified at 410 ILCS 535.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Tazewell County are maintained by multiple offices depending on the type of business activity and license. Tazewell County Clerk's Office at 11 South Fourth Street, Room 101, Pekin, IL 61554, handles certain local business registrations including assumed name (DBA - Doing Business As) filings for sole proprietorships and partnerships operating under a name different from the owner's legal name. The fee for filing a DBA in Tazewell County is typically around $26.
- This database is free and accessible 24/7.
- Tazewell County Chamber of Commerce, representing businesses throughout Tazewell County, can be found online and provides networking and business development resources for the local business community.
For formal business entity formation and registration including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other statutory entities, filings are made with the Illinois Secretary of State Business Services Department. The Secretary of State maintains a searchable online database at www.ilsos.gov where anyyou can search for registered business entities, view formation dates, registered agents, status (active, dissolved, not in good standing), and file documents. Professional licenses including those for contractors, cosmetologists, healthcare providers, and numerous other professions are issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), not at Tazewell County level.
License verification can be performed at www.idfpr.com. Sales tax permits are issued by the Illinois Department of Revenue. Building permits, zoning approvals, and occupancy permits are handled at the municipal level by individual cities and villages within Tazewell County, or by Tazewell County Building and Zoning Department for unincorporated areas.
Tazewell County enforces zoning regulations and building codes in areas outside city jurisdiction.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Tazewell County, Illinois are administered by Tazewell County Clerk's Office, which is the local election authority. Tazewell County Clerk's Office is located at 11 South Fourth Street, Room 101, Pekin, IL 61554, and can be reached for Election information is available at www.tazewell.il.gov. Voter registration in Tazewell County can be completed in person at the County Clerk's office, by mail, at designated deputy registrar locations throughout Tazewell County, or online through the Illinois State Board of Elections at www.elections.il.gov.
- Vote-by-mail (absentee) ballots can be requested online through the State Board of Elections portal, by written application to the County Clerk, or in person.
- In the November 2024 general election, Tazewell County experienced voter turnout of approximately 65-70% of registered voters, consistent with typical presidential election cycles in Tazewell County.
- Illinois election law (10 ILCS 5/) provides for substantial transparency and public access to election administration records.
Online voter registration is available for people who have an Illinois driver's license or state ID. The voter registration deadline in Illinois is 27 days before any election. Residents can check their voter registration status online through the State Board of Elections website.
To find your polling place in Tazewell County, voters can use the polling place lookup tool on the Illinois State Board of Elections website or contact the County Clerk. Early voting is available at designated locations in the weeks leading up to each election, with specific locations and hours published by the County Clerk. Applications for mail ballots must be received by the County Clerk by five days before the election for general delivery, though grace period voting is available in-person.
Election records that are public include voter registration lists (excluding certain personal information like birth dates and portions of Social Security numbers under 10 ILCS 5/4-8 and 5/6-35), precinct-level election results, candidate filing documents, campaign finance disclosure reports filed with the County Clerk for local races, and certifications of results. Tazewell County Clerk maintains historical election results and turnout data. The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring U.S.
House of Representatives races, Illinois state executive offices including Governor, and General Assembly seats.
Economy & Demographics
Tazewell County's economy reflects a diverse mix of agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and service industries. Historically rooted in agriculture, Tazewell County remains a significant producer of corn and soybeans, with farmland comprising a substantial portion of its land area. Major employers include Caterpillar Inc, which operates manufacturing facilities in Tazewell County producing heavy equipment and engines, making it one of Tazewell County's largest employers.
- Corn Products International (Ingredion) operates a major corn wet milling facility in Pekin, processing corn into sweeteners, starches, and other ingredients.
- According to recent census estimates, the median household income in Tazewell County is approximately $67,000 to $72,000, above the state average for many Illinois counties.
- Tazewell County benefits economically from its position within the Peoria Metropolitan Statistical Area while maintaining lower costs and a strong workforce.
The healthcare sector is represented by several major facilities including Pekin Hospital (UnityPoint Health) and other medical providers. Distribution and logistics have grown substantially due to Tazewell County's strategic location along Interstate 74 and proximity to the Illinois River, with multiple warehousing and distribution centers operating in East Peoria and other communities. The unemployment rate typically tracks close to or slightly below state averages, historically ranging from 4-6% depending on economic conditions.
The distilling industry has historical significance in Pekin, though operations have changed over the decades. Retail trade is concentrated in commercial corridors along major highways and in downtown districts of Pekin, Morton, and Washington. Notable economic development has included expansion of industrial parks, continued investment in river port facilities, and growth in the medical and professional services sectors.
Tourism contributes through outdoor recreation including hunting, fishing, and nature preserves along the Illinois and Mackinaw Rivers.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online (Judici) | Property: Yes: Online GIS & Recording Search | Arrest/Jail: Yes: Online Roster | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person or Mail | Business: Yes: Online (State) / Limited: County DBA In-Person | Elections: Yes: Online Registration & Results | Overall Score: 8/10, Tazewell County provides strong online access to court, property, and jail records with good election transparency.
Official Government Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Tazewell County
Explore public records for 15 cities and communities in Tazewell County, Illinois.