About Vermilion County

Area 900 square miles
County Seat Danville
Established 1826
Population 73,179 residents

Vermilion County is located in east-central Illinois along the Indiana border, established in 1826 and named for the Vermilion River that flows through Vermilion County. Vermilion County seat is Danville, the largest city and primary population center. Vermilion County covers approximately 900 square miles and has a population of roughly 73,179 residents according to recent census estimates. Vermilion County is characterized by a mix of agricultural land, urban centers, and forested areas. Danville is the historic and economic hub, known for its connection to Abraham Lincoln's legal career and as the birthplace of entertainers Dick and Jerry Van Dyke and Bobby Short. Vermilion County Courthouse, a prominent landmark in downtown Danville, houses several key county offices. Vermilion County Recorder's office, located at 201 N. Danville Street in Danville, maintains all land and property records. Vermilion County Clerk's office, also at the courthouse, manages vital records, elections, and business filings. Vermilion County Assessor's office handles property assessments and taxation records. Kickapoo State Recreation Area is a major natural landmark spanning over 2,800 acres, featuring former strip-mining land reclaimed as a popular outdoor destination with 22 deep-water ponds. Vermilion County's history is deeply rooted in coal mining, agriculture, and manufacturing, with the decline of heavy industry reshaping its modern economy. Vermilion County retains a distinctly Midwestern character with strong community ties and preservation of historic architecture.

Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

Vermilion County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in Vermilion County's unincorporated areas. It oversees the operations of Vermilion County jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office is also involved in community policing efforts and offers programs such as the Program to educate youth about drug resistance.

Police Departments

Vermilion County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including Vermilion County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments such as the Danville Police Department, Hoopeston Police Department, and Georgetown Police Department. Each department has jurisdiction within its respective city limits, while the Sheriff's Office covers the broader unincorporated areas. These agencies collaborate on major criminal investigations and share resources to enhance public safety across Vermilion County.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

Vermilion County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 201 N. Vermilion Street in Danville, Illinois, is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas and provides countywide services including civil process, court security, and jail operations. The Sheriff's office can be contacted through the office’s website, and maintains a website at vermilioncountyil.gov for public information. Vermilion County Jail, operated by the Sheriff's Office at the same location, houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates.

  • Mugshots and booking photos are typically considered public records in Illinois and may be accessible through the jail's inmate lookup system or by formal FOIA request.
  • Processing fees may apply for copies of records, and response times are governed by the statute requiring response within five business days.

Inmate lookup is available through the Sheriff's website or by calling the jail directly, where staff can provide information on current inmates, booking dates, charges, and bond status. Municipal law enforcement agencies include the Danville Police Department, serving Vermilion County seat and largest city; the Hoopeston Police Department in the northern agricultural community; the Georgetown Police Department; the Westville Police Department; the Tilton Police Department; and the Catlin Police Department. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.), arrest records and booking reports are generally public unless specifically exempted.

No tribal law enforcement agencies operate within Vermilion County, as there are no federally recognized tribal lands in Vermilion County.

Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records

Criminal Records

Criminal records in Vermilion County, IL are maintained by local law enforcement agencies and the court system. Background checks are typically obtained through state-level repositories or authorized vendors. For an authoritative source, see Vermilion County Court Records | .

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Vermilion County, IL are public under most state public-records laws unless sealed or expunged by a court. They are maintained by the arresting agency, primarily the County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Vermilion County jail is operated by the County Sheriff's Office and houses pretrial detainees and short-sentence inmates. Inmate locator tools allow public searches by name or booking number.

• Phone: (765) 492-3838

Courts & Case Records

Vermilion County is served by the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit, with Vermilion County Courthouse located at 7 N. Vermilion Street in Danville, Illinois 61832. The court can be contacted through the office’s website. The Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over all civil, criminal, juvenile, probate, and domestic relations matters arising in Vermilion County. Illinois operates under a unified court system where the Circuit Court handles all case types, including matters that would be handled by municipal, probate, or justice courts in other states. The Sixth Judicial Circuit also includes Champaign County.

  • The Circuit Clerk's office maintains all court records and provides public access during regular business hours, typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
  • Online case search is available through the Illinois Courts website at www.illinoiscourts.gov, though access to certain case details may require in-person visits or formal requests.
  • Fees for certified copies of court documents are established by statute, typically $2.00 per page for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page, plus a $6.00 certification fee.

Property & Public Records

Vermilion County Recorder of Deeds's Office, located at 201 N. Vermilion Street, Danville, Illinois 61832, is the official repository for all land and property records in Vermilion County. The office can be reached through the office maintains a website accessible through vermilioncountyil.gov. The Recorder maintains deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, easements, plat maps, Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings, military discharge papers (DD-214s), and other instruments affecting real property.

  • The Recorder's office offers online property document search through a web-based system, allowing users to search by grantor/grantee name, document type, or legal description.
  • While basic searches may be free, document images and certified copies require payment of statutory fees, typically $4.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page.
  • Certified copies of recorded documents can be requested in person or by mail with proper identification and payment.
  • The recording process is governed by Illinois statutes establishing indexing, retention, and public access requirements.

Illinois law requires recording of property transfers and encumbrances to provide public notice under the Illinois Conveyances Act (765 ILCS 5/). Property tax records are maintained separately by Vermilion County Supervisor of Assessments office at 201 N. Vermilion County Street, phone, and the County Treasurer's office

These offices provide assessment information, tax bills, payment history, and parcel identification numbers. Vermilion County offers a Geographic Information System (GIS) parcel viewer accessible online, providing visual property boundary maps, ownership information, assessment data, and zoning classifications.

Vital Records

Vital records for Vermilion County, Illinois are maintained and issued by multiple agencies depending on the record type and date. Birth and death certificates occurring in Vermilion County are available through Vermilion County Clerk's office at 201 N. Vermilion Street, Danville, Illinois 61832 Birth certificates cost $15.00 for the first copy and $2.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; death certificates cost $19.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for additional copies.

  • Processing time for in-person requests is typically immediate if records are on file, while mail requests may take 2-4 weeks.
  • The fee for a marriage license is $60.00, and there is no waiting period in Illinois following the elimination of that requirement.
  • Online ordering of vital records is available through the VitalChek service at www.vitalchek.com for state-level orders, with additional processing fees.
  • Requesters must provide valid government-issued photo identification and proof of relationship or legal entitlement to restricted records.

For records dating back more than several decades or for statewide searches, the Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Vital Records in Springfield maintains full statewide vital records. Birth records are restricted for 75 years and death records for 20 years under Illinois law (410 ILCS 535/), with access limited to qualified applicants who can prove direct and tangible interest. Marriage licenses are issued by Vermilion County Clerk's office, which also maintains marriage records.

Divorce records (dissolution of marriage decrees) are maintained by the Circuit Clerk at Vermilion County Courthouse, 7 N. Vermilion County Street, Danville.

Business & Licensing

Business licensing and registration in Vermilion County, Illinois involves multiple jurisdictions and agencies depending on the business type and location. Vermilion County Clerk's office at 201 N. Vermilion Street, Danville, handles registration of assumed business names (Doing Business As or DBA filings) for businesses operating in unincorporated areas of Vermilion County. These filings are public records searchable at the Clerk's office during regular business hours.

  • The Secretary of State maintains a free online business entity search at www.ilsos.gov where anyone can look up registered businesses, view filing status, registered agents, and incorporation dates.

For formal business entity formation including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other statutory entities, businesses must register with the Illinois Secretary of State Business Services Department. Individual municipalities including Danville, Hoopeston, Georgetown, and Westville maintain separate business licensing requirements for businesses operating within city limits; contact each city clerk's office for specific local licensing requirements. Professional licenses for occupations such as real estate agents, contractors, cosmetologists, and healthcare providers are issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), with searchable online databases available at www.idfpr.com.

Sales tax permits are issued by the Illinois Department of Revenue and required for businesses selling tangible goods. Building permits, zoning approvals, and land use permits are handled by Vermilion County Building and Zoning Department, phone, for unincorporated areas, or by individual municipal building departments within city limits. Vermilion County Area Partnership (www.vcap-edc.com) is the economic development organization and can provide guidance on business registration requirements and local resources.

Official Government Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I search for someone recently arrested in Vermilion County, Illinois?
To search for someone recently arrested in Vermilion County, Illinois, you can contact the Vermilion County Jail. The jail provides an inmate lookup service where you can find information about current detainees. You can visit the jail in person at 2 E South St, Danville, IL 61832, or call them at (217) 444-0100 for assistance with inmate searches.
Mugshots and booking photos in Vermilion County, Illinois, can be obtained from the Vermilion County Sheriff's Office. They may provide access to these records through their office located at 2 E South St, Danville, IL 61832. You can check their official website or contact them at (217) 442-4080 to inquire about online access to booking photos.
To obtain a criminal background check in Vermilion County, Illinois, you can request it through the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification. Locally, you can also contact the Vermilion County Sheriff's Office for guidance on the process. Typically, you will need to provide personal information and pay a fee to complete the background check request.
You can look up sex offenders in Vermilion County, Illinois, by accessing the Illinois Sex Offender Registry. This registry is maintained by the Illinois State Police and provides detailed information about registered sex offenders. You can search the registry online by name, address, or zip code to find offenders in Vermilion County.
Voter registration in Vermilion County is handled by the Vermilion County Clerk's office at 201 N. Vermilion Street, Danville. You can register online at www.elections.il.gov, in person at the Clerk's office or driver's license facilities, or by mail. The registration deadline is 27 days before any election, though Illinois offers same-day registration during early voting and on Election Day. Vote-by-mail applications can be submitted online or through the County Clerk's office.
Property records in Vermilion County are maintained by the County Recorder of Deeds's office at 201 N. Vermilion Street, Danville, phone (217) 554-1900. The county offers online access to recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, and liens through its website at vermilioncountyil.gov. Property tax information and assessments are available through the Supervisor of Assessments office, and the county provides a GIS parcel viewer for visual property maps and ownership data. Basic searches are available online, though certified copies require payment of statutory fees.
Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Vermilion County are available through the Vermilion County Clerk's office at 201 N. Vermilion Street, Danville, phone (217) 554-1900. Birth certificates cost $15.00 for the first copy and death certificates cost $19.00 for the first copy. In-person requests are typically processed immediately, while mail requests take 2-4 weeks. You can also order Illinois vital records through the state Department of Public Health or online via VitalChek at www.vitalchek.com with additional processing fees.
Business records in Vermilion County can be searched through multiple sources depending on the business type. The Vermilion County Clerk's office maintains assumed name (DBA) filings for the county. For formal business entities like corporations and LLCs, use the Illinois Secretary of State's free online business search at www.ilsos.gov. Individual cities including Danville may have separate business licensing requirements through their respective city clerk offices. Professional licenses are searchable through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation at www.idfpr.com.

Economy & Demographics

Vermilion County's economy has historically been anchored by coal mining, agriculture, and manufacturing, though the economic base has diversified significantly since the decline of heavy industry in the late 20th century. Agriculture remains a vital sector, with corn and soybean production dominating the rural scene and supporting related agribusiness operations. The median household income in Vermilion County is approximately $45,000 to $48,000, notably below both state and national averages, reflecting ongoing economic challenges in Vermilion County.

Healthcare and social services represent the largest employment sector, with major employers including Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana (serving Vermilion County), OSF HealthCare Sacred Heart Medical Center in Danville, and VA Illiana Health Care System with a facility in Danville serving veterans across multiple counties. The Danville Correctional Center, a state prison facility, is a significant public sector employer. Manufacturing maintains a presence with companies including Graphic Packaging International, which operates a facility producing paperboard packaging.

The service sector, retail trade, and educational institutions including Danville Area Community College contribute to employment. The unemployment rate has historically run above state averages, reflecting population decline and limited economic growth. Recent economic development efforts focus on entrepreneurship, small business support, and using Vermilion County's location along Interstate 74 connecting Illinois and Indiana.

Vermilion County Airport supports business aviation and economic development activities. The decline of coal mining and loss of major manufacturing plants have created ongoing challenges, while efforts to redevelop brownfield sites and attract new industries continue through Vermilion County Area Partnership and local economic development initiatives.

Elections & Voter Records

Elections in Vermilion County, Illinois are administered by Vermilion County Clerk's office, which is the official election authority. The Clerk's office is located at 201 N. Vermilion Street, Danville, Illinois 61832, and can be contacted through the office’s website. Election information and resources are available through Vermilion County website at vermilioncountyil.gov. Voter registration in Illinois can be completed online at the Illinois State Board of Elections website (www.elections.il.gov), in person at the County Clerk's office, at driver's license facilities, or by mail.

  • Illinois offers same-day voter registration during the early voting period and on Election Day at designated locations, allowing eligible residents to register and cast a ballot simultaneously.
  • Vote-by-mail (absentee) ballots are available to all registered voters in Illinois without requiring an excuse.

The voter registration deadline is 27 days before any election under Illinois law (10 ILCS 5/4-50). To find your specific polling place in Vermilion County, voters can use the polling place lookup tool on the Illinois State Board of Elections website or contact the County Clerk's office directly. Applications can be submitted online through the State Board of Elections website, by mail, or in person at the County Clerk's office. Applications must be received by the County Clerk no later than five days before Election Day, though voters can vote by mail in-person at the Clerk's office up to the day before the election during early voting periods.

Illinois election transparency is governed by the Illinois Election Code (10 ILCS 5/) and the Freedom of Information Act, allowing citizens to request copies of election materials, observe vote counting, and access detailed precinct results following certification.

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