Peoria County Jail

Peoria County’s tentative budget for the 2027 fiscal year maintains the current property tax rate, fully funds pension obligations and covers costs for new laundry and kitchen facilities at the Peoria County jail.

Sheriff Chris Watkins released updated jail data, which shows an uptick in nonviolent, nondetainable offenses and an increase in missed court appearances.

An investigation is underway after a 39-year-old woman being held at the Peoria County Jail died Tuesday morning.

Rather than build an entirely new jail at taxpayer expenses, Peoria County instead will try to get as much life as possible out of its existing facility.

A correctional officer was arrested and immediately fired from the Peoria County Jail Thursday night after an allegation of passing contraband to a detainee in exchange for money.

Peoria County Jail, in recent years, has restrained its charges for longer durations than other jails in Illinois and far past industry recommendations. There is evidence of a mental health issue in at least 70% of its restraint incidents.

The Peoria County Jail needs some serious work. The county board now has five potential options for how to tackle it — depending on how much money and time they're willing to spend.

Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins says an analysis of options to upgrade the jail facility is nearly complete.

Sheriff Chris Watkins says the 31-year-old man was found unresponsive in a cell by himself shortly before 1 a.m Tuesday.

In a wide-ranging interview with WCBU, Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins discusses how the no-cash bail system has impacted the jail population, addressing infrastructure needs at the facility, and other issues related to county law enforcement.