Eviction in Madison County (Edwardsville / Granite City / Alton), Illinois

Where eviction cases are filed in Madison County (Edwardsville / Granite City / Alton), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.

Quick facts: eviction in Madison County (Edwardsville / Granite City / Alton)

Eviction court: 3rd Judicial Circuit Court (Madison County) — Circuit Court (Illinois) Court page
Filing fee: Eviction (not possession only): $264 filing; possession only: $94. Defendant appearance: $194 ($114 possession only). Sheriff service of an eviction: $142. Madison County Circuit Clerk, Fees of the Court (feebook updated 9-8-26)
Notice before filing (state law): Written demand giving not less than 5 days after service to pay; if unpaid, landlord may end the lease and file for eviction. To keep partial payments from invalidating the notice, it must state that only FULL PAYMENT waives the right to terminate. Illinois rules
HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026): $1,218/month HUD
Renter households: 28,418 (26% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-23

Where eviction cases are filed in Madison County (Edwardsville / Granite City / Alton)

Eviction cases in Madison County (Edwardsville / Granite City / Alton) are heard by the 3rd Judicial Circuit Court (Madison County) (Circuit Court (Illinois)).

Madison County Courthouse (Civil Section, Room 120) — 155 N. Main St., Edwardsville, IL 62025 · website

Court eviction page · E-filing · Search court records · Self-help center

All eviction cases are filed and heard at the Edwardsville courthouse (Circuit Clerk (618) 296-6200, Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.). A Legal Self-Help Center is in the courthouse law library.

How much it costs to file an eviction in Madison County (Edwardsville / Granite City / Alton)

Eviction (not possession only): $264 filing; possession only: $94. Defendant appearance: $194 ($114 possession only). Sheriff service of an eviction: $142.

From the court's official fee book PDF. Sheriff civil process fees vary by town for other papers. Fee waiver: Application for Waiver of Court Fees.

Source: Madison County Circuit Clerk, Fees of the Court (feebook updated 9-8-26)

The Illinois eviction process

Illinois state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Madison County (Edwardsville / Granite City / Alton):

Serve written notice: 5-day demand for rent, 10-day notice for lease violation, or 30-day (month-to-month) / 7-day (week-to-week) / 60-day (year-to-year) termination notice
File an eviction complaint; the clerk issues a summons (residential eviction summons must include the Court-Based Rental Assistance notice in English and Spanish)
Hearing/trial on the return date; tenant may have a jury trial and present defenses
Eviction order (judgment for possession and any rent)
Order is filed with the sheriff for enforcement; it expires if not enforced within 120 days unless extended
Sheriff carries out the eviction (only the sheriff may physically remove the tenant)

Full Illinois eviction rules with sources →

Rent in Madison County (Edwardsville / Granite City / Alton)

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the St. Louis, MO-IL HUD Metro FMR Area (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):

Studio	$955
1 bedroom	$995
2 bedrooms	$1,218
3 bedrooms	$1,568
4 bedrooms	$1,812

Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation

Median gross rent in Madison County (Edwardsville / Granite City / Alton): $1,024/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

Metro-wide FMRs shown. HUD designates this area for Small Area FMRs (ZIP-code-level) for Housing Choice Voucher programs; ZIP-level values are on the county summary page.

County tenant ordinance

No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified; city rules (if any) live on city pages.

Eviction help in Madison County (Edwardsville / Granite City / Alton)

Free legal help

Land of Lincoln Legal Aid (Western Regional Office) — Free civil legal help for eligible residents; 111 E. Fourth St., Suite 330, Alton, (618) 462-0029 / (800) 642-5570, serves Madison County.
Illinois Legal Aid Online — Statewide self-help information and forms for eviction cases.

Rental assistance

Illinois Housing Help (IHDA) - rental assistance resources — Rental assistance program information linked from the Madison County Circuit Clerk's eviction page, including the Court-Based Rental Assistance Program
Illinois Court-Based Rental Assistance Program (IHDA) — Emergency rental assistance for tenants with a pending eviction case for nonpayment (household income at or below 80% AMI); up to $10,000 for past-due rent, up to $700 court costs and up to two months of future rent. Tenant applies first.

Other Illinois counties

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in Madison County (Edwardsville / Granite City / Alton)?

Eviction cases in Madison County (Edwardsville / Granite City / Alton) are filed with the 3rd Judicial Circuit Court (Madison County).

How much does it cost to file an eviction in Madison County (Edwardsville / Granite City / Alton)?

Eviction (not possession only): $264 filing; possession only: $94. Defendant appearance: $194 ($114 possession only). Sheriff service of an eviction: $142.

Where can I get help with an eviction in Madison County (Edwardsville / Granite City / Alton)?

Land of Lincoln Legal Aid (Western Regional Office); Illinois Legal Aid Online; Illinois Housing Help (IHDA) - rental assistance resources; Illinois Court-Based Rental Assistance Program (IHDA).

What is the fair market rent in Madison County (Edwardsville / Granite City / Alton)?

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit is $1,218 per month (1-bedroom: $995).

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.