There is no price on release in Lee County anymore. Years ago, relatives paid a 10 percent deposit at the county courthouse. That step is gone under the Pretrial Fairness Act.

• Illinois outlawed for-profit bail bonds in 1963.
• Do not wire money; the Sheriff's Office (815-284-5217) never asks for it.
• Testing or GPS fees in Lee County are separate from bail.

Illinois expects a first appearance within 48 hours. In Lee County, that hearing is held at the Courts Building, Circuit Clerk (Suite 320), 309 South Galena Avenue, Dixon, IL 61021, or over a video link from the County Jail. The judge reads the charge (725 ILCS 5/109-1) and rules on release; the Public Defender can be appointed.

• The 48-hour clock runs through holidays.
• For a petty offense, the Sheriff's Office may issue only a ticket.

Not on a detainer alone. The Illinois TRUST Act (5 ILCS 805/15) bars holding anyone on a detainer (Form I-247A) alone. The exception is a judge's warrant.

• Agents may wait outside after a release.
• Since 2022, no Illinois jail rents beds to ICE.
• Search the ICE Online Detainee Locator System with an A-number or name.

725 ILCS 5/110-5 guides the judges. They look at:

• the charge and the police report,
• any record of missing court,
• ties to family, work and school,
• and whether conditions could protect others.

Since 2023, wealth decides nothing. Pay stubs help the Public Defender.

The Fifteenth Judicial Circuit hears local cases at the Lee County Courts Building, Circuit Clerk (Suite 320), 309 South Galena Avenue, Dixon, IL 61021. Clerk: 815-284-5234. Local records are on re:SearchIL and Judici.

Lee County has no city court: Illinois ended justice-of-the-peace courts in 1964.

A prison term begins at an Illinois Department of Corrections reception center. Each transfer appears on the Illinois Department of Corrections inmate search. Read our Illinois state prisons guide.

Everyone released in Lee County must attend court in Dixon. A judge may add terms under 725 ILCS 5/110-10:

• regular calls with probation staff,
• staying away from an alleged victim,
• home detention,
• testing and surrender of firearms.

Violations lead to a new hearing under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.

Federal charges skip the county courthouse. The county is covered by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Stanley J. Roszkowski U.S. Courthouse, 327 S. Church Street, Rockford, IL 61101 (815-987-4355). A magistrate judge sets release under 18 U.S.C. 3142. Cash bonds remain possible under 18 U.S.C. 3142(c), unlike state cases. Before trial, the U.S. Marshals Service has custody. After sentencing, use the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.

Youth under 18 do not go to the jail. The court sends local youth to a juvenile Detention Center. Under 705 ILCS 405/5-415, a youth gets a hearing within 40 hours, minus weekends and holidays. The Fifteenth Judicial Circuit keeps juvenile files closed to the public.

Low income? The court names the public defender. Call the clerk, 815-284-5234. Appeal help: Office of the State Appellate Defender.

Only for some charges listed in 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. A petition to deny release comes first (725 ILCS 5/110-6.1). The detention hearing then takes place within 24 to 48 hours.

Keeping someone in the county jail takes clear and convincing proof that:

• the charge is detainable under the law;
• release would endanger someone;
• and no mix of conditions would work.

The defense answers at the hearing. Rule 604(h) gives the defense a fast appeal.

Look up the person in the jail list.That list is a PDF. The Sheriff's Office may post new bookings late. Or call 815-284-5217. Step-by-step help is in our inmate search guide.

• Note the charge and local hearing date.
• Attend court in Dixon if you can.
• Read our phone guide.
• Deposits: sending money.
• Get release alerts from VINELink.