Macon County Sheriff's Office

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Macon County Sheriff's Office We are a Law Enforcement Agency located in Decatur, Illinois. Macon County elected the first African-American Sheriff in Illinois with the election of Roger E.

The Macon County Sheriff's Office was founded in 1829 with William Warnick serving as the first Sheriff. Sheriff Warnick was a personal friend of young Abe Lincoln when the Lincoln family lived in the general area of Warnick's tavern. Walker Jr. in 1998. Today, our agency takes pride in the many services we provide the citizens and we are a pro-active force within the community. Please explore our website so that you can learn more about one of the finest law enforcement agencies in the country. The Sheriff of Macon County is Jim Root. Sheriff Jim Root was born and raised in Decatur, Illinois. He graduated from Eisenhower High School and joined the United States Marine Corps. After completing his military service and receiving an honorable discharge, Sheriff Root received an Associate's Degree from Richland Community College. Sheriff Root began his Law Enforcement career in 1996 and attended the University of Illinois Police training Institute basic police training academy. Sheriff Root has held a variety of positions within the Macon County Sheriff's Office including working in the Patrol Division, working narcotics assigned to the Illinois State Police Drug Task Force, the Investigations Division, Patrol Supervisor, and Emergency Management Coordinator. Working through the ranks from Deputy to Detective, to Sergeant and then Lieutenant. Sheriff Root has also served on the Sheriff's office Special Response team for over 12 years. He is currently an instructor at the Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center and has been since it opened in 2018 teaching fi****ms, active shooter response training and emergency management to new recruits. Sheriff Root married his wife Amy in 1998 and has four adult children.

Recently citizens of Macon County have been receiving scam phone calls from subjects identifying themselves as members o...
10/13/2026

Recently citizens of Macon County have been receiving scam phone calls from subjects identifying themselves as members of the Macon County Sheriff Office or members of other law enforcement agencies and asking for money to bond relatives out of the jail. The callers have been offering to put incarcerated persons on GPS monitoring and release them for a fee. The Macon County Sheriffs office will not solicit money for services such as these or for warrants or tickets.

The Macon County Sheriff's Office would like your assistance identifying this individual for questioning.  Please call D...
10/13/2026

The Macon County Sheriff's Office would like your assistance identifying this individual for questioning. Please call Detective Lilly at 217-424-1337 with any information. As always, thank you for your help.
26-18904

10/12/2026

The day has arrived!

Come join us 1230-4 pm
RCC Shilling Center
Free, Everyone Welcome

10/07/2026

The vehicles are available for viewing this Saturday 10/10 from 10:00 a.m. til 12:00 p.m. at the Macon County Highway Department, 2405 N Woodford, Decatur.

Tonight Court Security Officer Mahoney received recognition from Dove, Inc. for her outstanding work with victims of dom...
10/07/2026

Tonight Court Security Officer Mahoney received recognition from Dove, Inc. for her outstanding work with victims of domestic violence at the annual DOVE candlelight vigil. Katie consistently provides kind, caring, and compassionate service to victims of domestic violence. Congratulations on the well-deserved recognition CSO Mahoney!!! Pictured from left to right are Sgt. Pittenger, CSO Mahoney, Sgt. Pope, CSO Shafer, and DOVE advocate Nabila Alamin.

Area residents continue to receive fraudulent phone calls from someone claiming to be with the Macon County Sheriff’s Of...
10/06/2026

Area residents continue to receive fraudulent phone calls from someone claiming to be with the Macon County Sheriff’s Office. The caller tells residents they missed jury duty and must report to the Sheriff’s Office. In some cases, the caller becomes rude or aggressive.

One of the calls has been reported as coming from 404-971-2744.

This is a scam.

The Macon County Sheriff’s Office will never call you to say you missed jury duty or demand that you report to the Sheriff’s Office because of it.

If you receive one of these calls:

Hang up.

Do not provide any personal or financial information.

Do not send money or make any type of payment.

Do not allow the caller to pressure or intimidate you.

Scammers often use fear and urgency to convince people they need to act immediately.

Please share this information, particularly with family members, friends, and neighbors who may be more vulnerable to these types of scams.

***HIRING DEPUTIES***Starting Wage: Year 1 $64,232.77 This position is also covered under the CBA and includes structure...
10/06/2026

***HIRING DEPUTIES***
Starting Wage: Year 1 $64,232.77
This position is also covered under the CBA and includes structured salary step increases.
The Macon County Merit Commission will be receiving applications to establish an eligibility list for Deputy
Sheriff.
The application process will begin with the written test through the National Testing Network
https://www.nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/. The application process opens on October 1, 2026, and closes on October 23, 2026. Notifications will be made on our website and social media. An application packet can be downloaded from our website at www.sheriff-macon-il.us/about-us/career-opportunities/ or emailed directly. To request, please email [email protected] and include “Deputy Application” in the subject line or pick up in person at 333 S. Franklin St. Decatur, Illinois 62523 between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm Monday-Friday.
To be considered, an applicant must meet each standard below:
• Be 21 years of age on or before January 3, 2027
• Have vision corrected to 20/20.
• He/she must not have any physical or mental disability that would render him/her incapable of performing the position's duties.
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent (GED)
• Have passed such examinations as the Commission may prescribe occasionally.
• Be acceptable to the Commission on oral interview.
• Be acceptable to the Commission on investigation as to reputation and character.
• Have a valid Illinois driver's license at the time of examination, not subject to suspension or revocation.
• Complete physical agility tests as the Commission may prescribe.
• Complete such medical and psychological tests as the Commission may prescribe.
• Be a citizen or legal resident of the United States.
• Be fingerprinted under the supervision of the Macon County Sheriff’s Office.
• Pass a complete and thorough background investigation.
• No applicant shall have been previously convicted of a felony offense or crime of moral turpitude under the laws of Illinois or any other state.
• Reside within a 40-mile radius of the Sheriff's Office Headquarters within one (1) year of appointment as a certified employee.
Lateral transfers must:
• The applicant shall have served with another police agency for no less than two years.
• The applicant shall have successfully completed the State of Illinois Basic Law Enforcement, Full-Time Academy in police training at a state-approved academy.
• The applicant shall consent to a background investigation with his former employer conducted by the Commission or its designated representative.
• The applicant shall not be under any supervision or other discipline by another police agency.
Lateral Transfer Applicant Starting wage as of 12/01/2025: $78,793.75
This position is covered under the CBA and will include structured salary step increases.
Additionally, Lateral Transfer applicants receive a $5,000 sign-on bonus, $2,500 upon completion of Field Training, and $2,500 upon completion of probation.
Applicants who are offered employment must enter into an Equipment and Training Reimbursement Agreement.
Benefits:
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
SLEP Retirement
457 Deferred Compensation Supplemental Retirement
Voluntary Additional Contribution Plan (VAC)
Paid training opportunities
A take-home squad car, after successful completion of the probationary period
Employee-provided fitness center
Generous vacation allowance
Schedule: Four days on, three days off, four days on, two days off
9 hours 15-minute shifts

The Macon County Sheriff's Office has received reports of residents being contacted by someone claiming to be "Lt. Turne...
10/05/2026

The Macon County Sheriff's Office has received reports of residents being contacted by someone claiming to be "Lt. Turner" with our office. The caller is demanding money related to alleged civil matters and threatening that a warrant will be issued if payment is not made.

These calls are a scam.

If you receive a call like this:

•Do not send money or provide financial information.
•Do not purchase gift cards or make electronic payments.
•Hang up the phone.
•Independently contact the Macon County Sheriff's Office if you are unsure whether a call is legitimate.

Scammers may use law enforcement names, titles, or phone number spoofing to make their calls appear legitimate.

Please share this information, especially with family members or others who may be targeted.

***HIRING DEPUTIES***Starting Wage: Year 1 $64,232.77 This position is also covered under the CBA and includes structure...
10/01/2026

***HIRING DEPUTIES***

Starting Wage: Year 1 $64,232.77

This position is also covered under the CBA and includes structured salary step increases.

The Macon County Merit Commission will be receiving applications to establish an eligibility list for Deputy
Sheriff.

The application process will begin with the written test through the National Testing Network
https://www.nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/. The application process opens on October 1, 2026, and closes on October 23, 2026. Notifications will be made on our website and social media. An application packet can be downloaded from our website at www.sheriff-macon-il.us/about-us/career-opportunities/ or emailed directly. To request, please email [email protected] and include “Deputy Application” in the subject line or pick up in person at 333 S. Franklin St. Decatur, Illinois 62523 between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm Monday-Friday.

To be considered, an applicant must meet each standard below:

• Be 21 years of age on or before January 3, 2027
• Have vision corrected to 20/20.
• He/she must not have any physical or mental disability that would render him/her incapable of performing the position's duties.
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent (GED)
• Have passed such examinations as the Commission may prescribe occasionally.
• Be acceptable to the Commission on oral interview.
• Be acceptable to the Commission on investigation as to reputation and character.
• Have a valid Illinois driver's license at the time of examination, not subject to suspension or revocation.
• Complete physical agility tests as the Commission may prescribe.
• Complete such medical and psychological tests as the Commission may prescribe.
• Be a citizen or legal resident of the United States.
• Be fingerprinted under the supervision of the Macon County Sheriff’s Office.
• Pass a complete and thorough background investigation.
• No applicant shall have been previously convicted of a felony offense or crime of moral turpitude under the laws of Illinois or any other state.
• Reside within a 40-mile radius of the Sheriff's Office Headquarters within one (1) year of appointment as a certified employee.

Lateral transfers must:

• The applicant shall have served with another police agency for no less than two years.
• The applicant shall have successfully completed the State of Illinois Basic Law Enforcement, Full-Time Academy in police training at a state-approved academy.
• The applicant shall consent to a background investigation with his former employer conducted by the Commission or its designated representative.
• The applicant shall not be under any supervision or other discipline by another police agency.

Lateral Transfer Applicant Starting wage as of 12/01/2025: $78,793.75

This position is covered under the CBA and will include structured salary step increases.

Additionally, Lateral Transfer applicants receive a $5,000 sign-on bonus, $2,500 upon completion of Field Training, and $2,500 upon completion of probation.

Applicants who are offered employment must enter into an Equipment and Training Reimbursement Agreement.

Benefits:
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance

SLEP Retirement
457 Deferred Compensation Supplemental Retirement
Voluntary Additional Contribution Plan (VAC)

Paid training opportunities
A take-home squad car, after successful completion of the probationary period
Employee-provided fitness center
Generous vacation allowance
Schedule: Four days on, three days off, four days on, two days off
9 hours 15-minute shifts

A big thank you to Nancy and Jay from GT Church, who stopped by the Sheriff’s Office and dropped off several dozen cooki...
09/29/2026

A big thank you to Nancy and Jay from GT Church, who stopped by the Sheriff’s Office and dropped off several dozen cookies for our staff!

We're grateful for the support we receive from our community. Gestures like this mean more to our staff than you may realize, and we are incredibly humbled by the continued kindness and support.

Thank you to Nancy, Jay, and everyone at GT Church for thinking of us. We truly appreciate it!

Address

333 S Franklin Street
Decatur, IL
62523

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