Champaign County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

Champaign County Jail

Address:
204 E. Main Street
Urbana, IL 61801

Phone:

217-384-1240

Illinois in Now a NO CASH BAIL state

Illinois is now a NO CASH BAIL state. Instead, it will use a “pretrial release” system as allowed by the SAFE-T Act.

A judge can still order that you be detained if they determine:

  • That you pose a specific, real and present threat to a person, or 
  • That you are likely to flee. 

This determination will vary based on the judge and county. But in general, if you are not a 'threat to society', or are not a 'flight risk', you will be released pending trial.


 

What if my Inmate has to pay a Bond to get Released from Jail?

  • If paying by cash or cashier's check, only the exact amount for bail is accepted.
  • Prior to the paying of a bond, you are encouraged to call 217-384-1240 to confirm the amount needed for the bond.
  • The individual paying the bond must have a government issued identification.
  • Credit card payments can be made in person at the Satellite Jail, 502 South Lierman, Urbana, IL 61802 or online (see below for details).
  • If paying with a Cashier’s Check, the check should be made out to the Champaign County Circuit Clerk.
  • All Cashier’s Checks are subject to verification through the issuing bank by corrections staff, which will delay release if it's on a weekend or after business hours.
  • The total bond amount can be split between a Cashier’s Check and cash but cannot be split with a credit card.
  • The entire bond amount must be put on the credit card if that is how any of the bond amount is being paid.

Champaign County Jail also uses a service called allpaid (also known as GovPayNow) for paying an inmate's Bail Bond online for an inmate.

Register with them online or call them at 877-392-2455 for assistance.


To make a payment, you will need the following:

  • Court of Jurisdiction
  • Payment Amount
  • The Pay Location Code (PLC #) if you can get it. Call 217-384-1240 to ask for this.
  • Name of Arrestee/Defendant for whom payment is being made
  • Arrestee/Defendant's Date of Birth
  • Arrestee/Defendant's Booking Number

Who do I call to find out the Bond for an Inmate?

Please call the jail at 217-384-1240 for the type of bond and any information that is required for a particular individual at Champaign County Jail.
A bond is set according to a court-approved schedule.
The purpose of the bond is to assure the offender's appearance in court.

Instructions on how to post Bail or Bond in Champaign County

Because Champaign County and Illinois can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the Champaign County Jail at 217-384-1240, or the court in the jurisdiction (i.e. Municipal Court, District Court, etc.) where the offender was charged, right after an arrestee has been booked. 

Ask the staff at the Champaign County Jail or the Champaign County Court Clerk these specific questions:

  1. Is the defendant eligible for bail or a bond?
  2. How much will the bail or bond be, and what are the additional fees?
  3. Where do I go to pay it?
  4. Are there any days or times of the day or night when I cannot post bail?
  5. What types of payment are allowed? Cash? Money order? Credit card? What types of credit cards? Property or other collateral? Surety bonds?
  6. Do I have to use a bail or bond agent?

If you feel the bail is too high and you wish to get it reduced, contact a lawyer or the defendant's public defender and get them to look into what they can do to get a bail reduction. The sooner you get working on this the quicker you will get your loved one released. 

This entire process will go smoother and faster with a criminal attorney or bail agent handling it for you.

Option 1 - How to Post Bail using Cash for a Defendant at Champaign County Jail

The first option, a cash bond, is to pay the full bail amount in cash, cashier's check, or money order. Personal Checks are not accepted.

Depending on the crime, this amount could be anywhere from $100 to $75,000 or more.

To pay a cash bond, go to Champaign County Jail or to the court where the bail hearing occurred. Going directly to the jail will quicken the release of the defendant as any bail paperwork processed at the court will have to be transferred to the jail.

Cashier's Checks and Money Orders may be made out to Champaign County Jail where the defendant is being held, but usually to the Champaign County Sheriff's Office or to the Champaign County Court.

To purchase money orders visit any Western Union, Moneygram or Post Office.

Option 2 - How to Post a Private or Surety Bond for a Defendant at Champaign County Jail

In the event that someone does not have the full bond amount available to him or her, there is what is called a private bond or surety bond.

This is an agreement made with a bail agent or bondsman who will post the full bail amount. In return, the defendant and/or cosigner will pay a premium to the bail agent. This premium will be 10-15% of the full bail amount.



For example, if bail is posted at $5,000, then the premium will cost approximately $500-$750.

A bail agent will often require some form of collateral, for example, a lien on a house, a car or jewelry. This is to ensure that if the defendant skips bail, or does not appear in court, the bail agent has some sort of compensation for the full bail amount being paid.

Remember, by making an agreement with a bail agent the signatory takes responsibility for paying the full bail amount if the defendant does not appear in court.

Option 3 - How to Post a Property Bond for a Defendant at Champaign County Jail

If you are a landowner in Champaign County you may be able to post a property bond. Property within Champaign County may be used as collateral to bail someone out. All owners of the property must be present to sign the bond in order for this to happen.

To find if property located outside of Champaign County can be used as collateral, call a local bail or bond agent or contact a defense lawyer.

Click here for additional information on how to post bail at Champaign County Jail.

Who can post Bail or Bond for a Defendant at Champaign County Jail?

Anyone over the age of 18 who can produce a valid government-issued photo ID can post bail. Accepted forms of ID include a Photo Driver's License, Passport, or Motor Vehicle issued ID.

In many circumstances, if the defendant has the resources, they can post their own cash bail from jail.

Surety Bonds are arranged by a third party, typically a Illinois state licensed Bail Bond firm.

Juveniles may only be bailed or bonded out of custody by a parent or legal guardian.

Champaign County Justice System Flowchart

When will the Cash Bail or Collateral be returned to me?

Money or collateral will not be returned until the defendant's court case is finished, so realistically it could take several months to years, depending on the severity of the charges. If a defendant posts his or her own bail, Champaign County Court may retain whatever amount of fines or fees have accumulated throughout the trial.

What happens to my Bail or Collateral if the Defendant misses Court?

The Champaign County Judge may order a failure to appear warrant for the person's arrest or the Judge may order a Bail Commissioner's Letter be issued that will be sent to the person with a new court date.

If cash bail was paid, the entire amount may be forfeited.

How to Rent a Tablet for an Inmate in Champaign County Jail

To rent a tablet for an inmate in Champaign County follow these instructions:

  • Register here.  It is recommended you use Chrome or Firefox.
  • Pay for the subscription using Paypal.
  • You get charged the 1st of each month. 
  • You get charged a full month even if it's only used for a partial month.
  • No activation or early termination fees.
  • Your Champaign County inmate will recieve their tablet in 3-5 business days, after you pay.


If you have any questions:

For all Champaign County information on Tablet Rentals for your inmate, check out our Tablet Rental Page.


 

Champaign County Jail Inmate Mail Guidelines

Postcards
The Champaign County Jail allows inmates to receive pre-metered postcards like the type purchased from the post office. They may also allow certain photo postcards as long as they have not been tampered with or contain images that may be considered to be obscene or violent in nature.

Envelopes
The Champaign County Jail also allows envelopes to be mailed to inmates.

Postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
Champaign County Jail
Prisoner's Name
204 E. Main St.
Urbana IL 61801



Legal Mail

Send all legal Mail to this Address:
Champaign County Jail
Prisoner's Name
204 E. Main St.
Urbana IL 61801



Newspapers
Local or national newspapers may also be mailed to the inmate as long as they are mailed directly from the newspaper publisher.

Magazines
News, special interest or sports magazines may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher. Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.

Books
The Champaign County Jail allows books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source such as AmazonBarnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address below.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Champaign County Jail standards will be disposed of. No more than three books may be shipped at any one time.
Hard cover books will not be accepted by the jail due to their potential to be used as a weapon.


All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Champaign County Jail
Prisoner's Name
204 E. Main St.
Urbana IL 61801


 

How to Send Money to an Inmate in Champaign County

To send commissary money to an inmate in Champaign County Jail follow these steps:

  • Register with Access Corrections by creating an account.
  • Select Illinois, then select Champaign County Jail, and then the inmate you want to send money to.
  • Choose the amount of money you want to send, and input your payment method.

For all information on how to Send Money to an inmate's account check out our full money and commissary guide for Champaign County Jail.


 

How to Send a Carepack Commissary Package Directly to an Inmate in Champaign County

To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Champaign County Jail follow these steps:

  • Register here to create an account with icaregifts for Champaign County.
  • Choose Illinois, then Champaign County Jail, and then the products you want shipped to them, and input your payment method. 
  • NOTE: There may be a limit on how much product you can send your inmate in Champaign County at any one time.
  • There are a total of fourteen (14) pre-determined icaregift packs available to choose from. 
  • The gift packs for inmates in Champaign County range in price from $10.49 for ten pre-stamped envelopes, 2 pens and a pad of writing paper, to $104.99 for a box of 85 snack and food items.

For all information, tips and available items for shipping Commissary packages to an inmate in Champaign County Jail, as well as sending money to the inmate so that they can purchase their own items, check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Champaign County.


 

How an Inmate Makes a Phone Call to You or Others from Champaign County Jail

To set up a phone account so that your inmate can call you from Champaign County do the following:

1. Enroll in an account with Securus Technologies.

2. Choose one of three account types, Securus Debit, Advance Connect or Direct Bill.
3. Choose [facility_name_1}, then connect with your inmate.
4. If you have any questions, call Securus: 972-734-1111 or 800-844-6591.

To find out fees, how to's, calling times, limits on phone calls and other systems Securus has do that you can communicate with your Champaign County inmate, check out our Inmate Phone Page.
NOTE: All of your inmate's phone calls are recorded and stored. It is advised not to discuss their pending case.


 

How to Schedule and Visit an Inmate in Champaign County Jail

To schedule and set up a visit, either at-the-jail or remotely from your home, follow these instructions:

  • Register and/or log in.
  • Select Champaign County Jail, then your inmate.
  • Review the days, available hours and the cost of remote and on-site visits in Champaign County.
  • Schedule your visit.

To get more complete instructions, and understand visit lengths, times, locations, fees and all the other rules including children, dress codes and more, check out or Visit Inmate Page.
NOTE: All visits are recorded and whatever you say and do will be monitored. It is best to never discuss sensitive information regarding your inmate's pending case.


 

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