About Vermilion County
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 74,000 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 area 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. The Sheriff's Office is key to coordinating with other law enforcement agencies in Vermilion County to ensure public safety.
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 reached, 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.
- Citizens may request arrest records by submitting a written FOIA request to Vermilion County Sheriff's Office or the specific municipal police department that made the arrest.
- 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
The criminal records system in Vermilion County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Vermilion 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 Bureau of Investigation offers additional resources for Vermilion County residents seeking full background checks.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Vermilion County are maintained by Vermilion County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges filed, and booking information. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by submitting a formal request to the Sheriff's Office, in compliance with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. Arrest records typically contain the individual's personal information, the nature of the charges, and the arresting agency.
Jail & Inmate Records
Vermilion County Jail, located in Danville, is the primary detention facility for Vermilion County. It handles the booking process for people arrested within Vermilion County, and provides an inmate lookup service through the Sheriff's Office website. Visitation rules are specific to this facility, requiring visitors to schedule appointments in advance and adhere to strict guidelines. The bond and bail process follows Illinois state law, allowing for the posting of bail through cash or bond services. Information on recently arrested individuals can be obtained by contacting the jail directly.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Vermilion County are taken and retained by Vermilion County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office or third-party websites that aggregate such information. Illinois does not have specific laws for the removal of mugshots from public records, but individuals can petition for removal under certain circumstances if the charges are dropped or expunged.
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 reached for 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'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 at and 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, phone.
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, phone. 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 anyyou 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.
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 reached for 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. Election records that are public in Illinois include voter registration lists (with certain personal information redacted), campaign finance disclosure reports filed with the State Board of Elections, candidate nominating petitions and statements of candidacy, and precinct-level election results.
In the November 2024 general election, Vermilion County experienced voter turnout consistent with typical Illinois county participation rates, generally ranging between 60-70% in presidential election years. The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House of Representatives races, potential U.S.
Senate seats, Illinois statewide constitutional offices including Governor (if scheduled), Illinois General Assembly seats, and local county offices. 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.
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.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online Search Available | Property: Yes: Online GIS & Recorder Search | Arrest/Jail: Yes: Inmate Lookup Online | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person or Mail Required | Business: Yes: State Online Search | Elections: Yes: Online Resources | Overall Score: 8/10, Vermilion County provides good digital access to most public records through county and state websites, though vital records require traditional request methods.