Jackson County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Jackson County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Jackson County, Illinois may access a broad range of publicly available information through official county offices, court systems, and online portals. JacksonILRecords.us provides data and publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in the county. The records accessible through official channels may include court filings, property documents, vital records, tax assessments, and meeting minutes, among other categories. Availability and completeness of individual records depend on the maintaining agency, the nature of the document, and applicable state law.
Record categories that members of the public may seek include:
- Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Business licenses and permits
- Property tax and assessment records
- Voting and election records
- County board meeting minutes and agendas
- Budget and financial documents
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records
Online Access: The Jackson County official records portal provides access to vital records information, FOIA request submission, marriage license details, and agendas and minutes. The Clerk & Recorder's office offers free web access to land records through its online database. Members of the public may search land records without registration through the county's publicly accessible portal.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Jackson County Clerk & Recorder's Office at 1 Courthouse Square, Murphysboro, IL 62966. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Requestors should present a completed request form and valid identification where required by the record type.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the Jackson County Clerk & Recorder, 1 Courthouse Square, Murphysboro, IL 62966. Requests must include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), public bodies must respond within five business days of receiving a written request.
Phone/Email: The Jackson County Clerk & Recorder's Office may be reached at (618) 687-7360. Contact information for specific departments is available through the county's official website.
What Are Public Records in Jackson County?
Public records in Jackson County are defined by Illinois state law as all records, reports, forms, writings, letters, memoranda, books, papers, maps, photographs, microfilms, cards, tapes, recordings, electronic data processing records, electronic communications, recorded information, and all other documentary materials pertaining to the transaction of public business, regardless of physical form or characteristics, having been prepared by or for, or having been or being used by, received by, in the possession of, or under the control of any public body. This definition is established under 5 ILCS 140/2, the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.
The following record types are maintained by specific offices within Jackson County:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil, criminal, probate, family court records | Jackson County Circuit Court |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Clerk & Recorder's Office |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | Clerk & Recorder's Office |
| Property tax and assessment records | County Assessor / Treasurer |
| Business licenses and permits | County Clerk |
| Voting and election records | Clerk & Recorder (Election Authority) |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Clerk |
| Budget and financial documents | County Board / Finance Office |
| Law enforcement records | Jackson County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | County Planning Department |
The Jackson County Circuit Court maintains trial court records including civil, criminal, probate, and family law filings. As noted by the Illinois Courts system, "In Illinois most counties maintain trial courts in a county-based courthouse, which also house other government offices."
Is Jackson County an Open Records County?
Jackson County operates in full compliance with Illinois open records law. Under 5 ILCS 140/1, the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), all public bodies in the state are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request, subject to specific statutory exemptions. The Act establishes that "all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts and policies of those who represent them as public officials and public employees."
Jackson County public bodies, including the County Board, Clerk & Recorder, Sheriff's Office, and Circuit Court, are each subject to FOIA obligations. The county's FOIA request process is accessible through the county records page, where members of the public may submit requests electronically. Each public body within the county designates a FOIA officer responsible for processing requests and issuing responses within the statutory timeframe.
Illinois also maintains sunshine law requirements under the Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120), which mandates that meetings of public bodies be open to the public and that agendas and minutes be made available. Jackson County posts agendas and minutes through its official records portal in compliance with this requirement.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Jackson County?
The fee structure for public records in Jackson County is governed by the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, which sets limits on the amounts public bodies may charge for fulfilling records requests.
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Black-and-white copies (first 50 pages) | No charge |
| Black-and-white copies (pages 51 and beyond) | $0.15 per page |
| Color copies or non-standard size | Actual cost of reproduction |
| Certification of records | Varies by office |
| Electronic format | No charge (if already in electronic form) |
| Search fees | Not permitted under FOIA |
Under 5 ILCS 140/6, public bodies may not charge fees for the first 50 pages of black-and-white, letter- or legal-sized copies. Fees beyond that threshold are limited to the actual cost of reproduction. Public bodies may not charge for the time spent searching for or reviewing records. Fees for certified copies of vital records, court documents, and recorded instruments are set separately by the maintaining office and may differ from standard FOIA copy fees.
Accepted payment methods at the Jackson County Clerk & Recorder's Office include cash, check, and money order. Members of the public should confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office prior to submitting a request.
Fee waivers are available when disclosure is in the public interest and the request is not made for commercial purposes, as provided under Illinois FOIA.
Does Jackson County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in Jackson County. Under Illinois law, members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours. The right to inspect does not automatically include the right to free copies.
Free access to specific record categories is available through the following official resources:
- Land records: The Clerk & Recorder's Office provides free web access to land records through its online database, available to all members of the public without registration.
- Court records: The Jackson County Circuit Court maintains public access terminals at the courthouse for in-person inspection of court filings at no charge.
- Meeting minutes and agendas: Current and archived agendas and minutes are posted at no charge through the county's official records portal.
- Election records: Voter registration and election result information is available through the Clerk & Recorder's Election Authority division.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public may review records in person without charge, but obtaining physical or electronic copies may be subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Jackson County?
Any person may request public records in Jackson County, Illinois. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, residency in the state is not a requirement for submitting a records request. Non-residents retain the same rights to access public records as Illinois residents.
Requestors are not required to:
- Provide identification (except for certain vital records)
- State the purpose of the request
- Demonstrate a personal interest in the records sought
Certain record types carry additional access requirements. Certified copies of vital records such as birth and death certificates are restricted to eligible individuals, including the subject of the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a demonstrated legal interest, as governed by the Illinois Vital Records Act (410 ILCS 535). Members of the public requesting their own records follow the same process as any other request but may be required to provide identification to verify identity.
Court records are accessible to the public through the Jackson County courthouse, with the exception of sealed, expunged, or otherwise restricted filings. Requests for law enforcement records, including arrest logs and incident reports, are subject to applicable FOIA exemptions for ongoing investigations and personal privacy.
What Records Are Confidential in Jackson County?
Not all government records in Jackson County are subject to public disclosure. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act enumerates specific categories of exempt records under 5 ILCS 140/7. The following record types are exempt from mandatory disclosure:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by court order are not accessible to the general public.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors in delinquency or abuse proceedings are confidential under Illinois law.
- Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled for investigatory purposes, where disclosure would interfere with a pending proceeding or endanger a person's safety.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from disclosed records.
- Medical records: Health and medical information is protected under both HIPAA and Illinois law.
- Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed under Illinois Adoption Act provisions.
- Child welfare records: Records maintained by child protective services are confidential.
- Personnel records: Employee personnel files are exempt, with limited exceptions for public officials' compensation and titles.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted in confidence to a public body.
- Security plans and infrastructure details: Information that could endanger public safety or critical infrastructure.
Public bodies in Jackson County apply a balancing test when a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information; in such cases, the non-exempt portions are disclosed with exempt material redacted.
Jackson County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Jackson County Clerk & Recorder 1 Courthouse Square Murphysboro, IL 62966 (618) 687-7360 Jackson County Clerk & Recorder
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Closed on federal and state holidays.
As stated by the office, the Clerk & Recorder has maintained "safe and secure elections for over 20 years" and currently provides free web access to land records through its online portal.
Jackson County Circuit Court Clerk 1 Courthouse Square Murphysboro, IL 62966 (618) 687-7300 Jackson County Circuit Court
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Closed on federal and state holidays.
Jackson County Sheriff's Office 3001 Boskydell Road Murphysboro, IL 62966 (618) 687-4343 Jackson County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Jackson County Assessor's Office 1 Courthouse Square Murphysboro, IL 62966 (618) 687-7240 Jackson County Assessor
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM