McDonough County Inmate Population Search

McDonough County inmate population records are managed by the McDonough County Sheriff's Office in Macomb, Illinois. Home to Western Illinois University, this west-central county has about 26,920 residents. The county jail is at the sheriff's complex in Macomb, the county seat. To find out if someone is in the McDonough County jail, call the sheriff's office or make a records request in writing. This page covers how to search McDonough County inmate population data, access public records, and contact the right offices for the information you need.

Find McDonough County Inmate Records

The McDonough County Sheriff's Office runs the county jail and keeps all custody records. The office is at 110 South McArthur Street in Macomb, IL 61455. Call (309) 833-2323 to ask about someone in custody. Staff can tell you whether a person is held, what their charges are, and what the bond is set at. This is the quickest route to current McDonough County inmate population information.

McDonough County has a mid-sized jail for a rural area. The presence of Western Illinois University in Macomb means the county sees a somewhat higher volume of arrests than you might expect for its population size, particularly during the school year. The jail holds pre-trial detainees and people serving short sentences. Anyone sentenced to over one year gets moved to the Illinois state prison system.

For people who have been sent to state prison, you can use the Illinois Department of Corrections website to search for them.

The image above shows the IDOC homepage, which links to the statewide inmate search. McDonough County is near Western Illinois Correctional Center in Mt. Sterling, a medium-security state prison. Inmates sentenced in McDonough County courts may end up there or at other facilities after classification.

McDonough County Inmate Population Records

Public records from the McDonough County Jail include booking information, charges, bond amounts, and scheduled court dates. Anyone can ask for these records. You do not need to explain why you want them. Under 5 ILCS 140, the Illinois Freedom of Information Act requires public bodies to respond to written requests within five business days. The first 50 pages are free.

Keep your request specific. Include the full name, date range, and the type of records you want. Broad or vague requests can be delayed. Common FOIA requests to the McDonough County Sheriff's Office include daily booking logs, release records, and inmate population counts for a given date.

Some records are off limits. Under 730 ILCS 5/3-5-1, master record files for inmates are confidential. Medical records, mental health evaluations, and disciplinary files cannot be released without a court order. This applies to both the McDonough County Jail and the state prison system.

McDonough County Court Resources

The McDonough County Circuit Clerk is at the courthouse on the square in Macomb. Call them for case information, hearing schedules, and copies of court documents. McDonough County is part of the 9th Judicial Circuit. The State's Attorney handles criminal prosecutions. Court records and jail records come from different offices, so know which one you need before you call.

Under 5 ILCS 140/2.15, arrest reports in Illinois must show the person's name, age, and charges. Basic arrest data from McDonough County is always public. The Uniform Conviction Information Act at 20 ILCS 2635 controls what conviction data gets released. Only conviction records go to the general public through that channel. For full criminal history checks, the Illinois State Police is the right agency.

Note: The circuit clerk handles court files while the sheriff handles jail records in McDonough County.

Illinois State Inmate Resources

The IDOC inmate search tool covers all adults in the Illinois state prison system. Search by last name, IDOC number, or birth date. Results show the current facility, projected release date, and offense. It is free and anyone can use it. If someone from McDonough County has been sentenced to state time, this is where you will find their current location.

The Illinois Prisoner Review Board handles parole hearings and clemency reviews for state inmates. Victims from McDonough County can track hearings and call the toll-free line at 1-800-801-9110. You can also register with VINELink for free alerts when an inmate's custody status changes. That service works for the McDonough County Jail and all state prisons.

For state-level FOIA requests, the IDOC FOIA officer is reachable at (217) 558-2200 ext. 4166. You can also use the IDOC FOIA page to submit requests online. For McDonough County jail records specifically, go through the sheriff's office in Macomb.

Nearby Counties

McDonough County is in west-central Illinois, bordered by several other counties. Each one operates its own jail and keeps its own inmate population records. Check the arrest location to determine which county to contact.