Cook County Jail, IL

In-person visits at Cook County Department of Corrections are scheduled online through the Individual in Custody site (dvv.ccsheriff.org). For scheduling questions, email DOC.visitation@ccsheriff.org. If you can't schedule because you're not approved, the site will direct you to the Individual in Custody Locator or the Visitor Information Unit for help. Bring a current, valid photo ID showing your address that matches the ID on your visitation application. Expect screening: you and your belongings may go through scanning devices and a pat-down search, and you'll need to empty your pockets. No paper or other items can be taken into the visiting area. Clothing and bag rules are strict (clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags only, with size limits). Loud or disruptive behavior can end your visit. Serious or repeated violations may result in a Stop Order or removal from the Approved Visitors List.

Cook County Jail offers virtual visitation only to attorneys and non-attorney professionals representing individuals in custody. These legal and professional visits are provided as a courtesy, so plan ahead. Submit requests at least 48 hours before attorney or professional video conferences, and seven days in advance for federal court proceedings. Video visits connect through Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Per facility policy, communications are not monitored or recorded, but total privacy cannot be guaranteed in a correctional setting. Attorneys who don't want virtual calls recorded should email CCSO.LegalVisit@ccsheriff.org to register their phone number as non-recordable. Before your appointment, follow the vendor scheduling steps and test the app you'll be using.

Adding money for someone at Cook County Jail means using a facility-approved deposit channel: an authorized online service, an on-site kiosk (often in the lobby or visitation area), a retail agent, or a vendor mail-in option. Deposits go into the incarcerated person's commissary or trust account. Funds may be applied automatically to outstanding balances, fees, or court-ordered obligations before the rest becomes available for commissary purchases or phone use. Posting times vary by method and vendor. Electronic deposits usually show up faster than mailed ones, and transfers between facilities can delay access. To avoid delays or misapplied deposits, double-check the person's full name and their booking or ID number (or date of birth) before submitting payment.