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Madison County, IL Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing sections
§ 54.15(A); definitions § 54.02
Advance notice required
7 days before the event
Scope
Enumerated county buildings/grounds only (§ 54.01)
Appeal deadline
3 days before event, to County Board
Penalty
Up to $500 per day (§ 54.99)

Summary

Anyone wanting to hold a demonstration, meeting, gathering or parade on Madison County-owned buildings or grounds, including the Courthouse, the Administration Building and the county's Edwardsville complex, must file a written request with the County Buildings Committee at least seven days in advance under County Code Section 54.15(A). The permit chapter defines DEMONSTRATION to include parading, picketing and marching, and covers only county property, not city streets.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Madison County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

DEMONSTRATION shall also mean demonstrating, parading, picketing, speech making, holding vigils, sit-ins or other activities, conducted for the purpose of demonstrating approval or disapproval of governmental policies or practices (or the lack thereof), expressing a view on public issues, or bringing into public notice any issue or other matter. ... A written request addressed to the Buildings Committee must be submitted at least seven days in advance of the event to be scheduled on or in a county building or grounds, as listed in § 54.01, unless the requestor can show by the preponderance of the evidence, that the cause or reason for the requested demonstration, meeting, gathering or parade was not known, contemplated, reasonably foreseeable, resulted from changed circumstances or was not in existence within those seven days, except that no such request shall take precedence over an activity which was previously scheduled and approved by the Buildings Committee.

Full Breakdown

01, among them the Madison County Courthouse, Administration Building, Annexes III through V, the County Plaza, the Jail, the Nursing Home and the Highway Garage, all in Edwardsville, plus a Granite City service area. 02 defines DEMONSTRATION broadly to include "demonstrating, picketing, marching, rallying, selling noncommercial printed matter or materials, moving in procession, holding vigils" and, in a second clause, "demonstrating, parading, picketing, speech making, holding vigils, sit-ins or other activities" aimed at expressing a view on governmental policy or public issues. 15(A) requires the written request at least seven days ahead of the event, though a late request can still be granted if the applicant shows by a preponderance of the evidence that the reason for the parade, meeting or gathering was not foreseeable within that window; a previously scheduled and approved activity always keeps priority over a late request.

16 spells out what the application must contain, including the names of officers, leaders and marshals, the location, date and hours requested, the expected number of participants and any equipment to be used, and the Buildings Committee can deny a request for reasons listed in that section, including safety hazards or conflicts with other scheduled activities. A denied applicant can appeal in writing to the full County Board at least three days before the event, and the Chairperson's written decision is final under the Illinois Administrative Review Act.

Violations & Fines

Anyone who violates the permit chapter, other than the law-enforcement provision in Section 54.61(C), is subject to a fine of up to $500 per offense under Section 54.99, with each day of violation treated as a separate offense. The county or any aggrieved party may also seek injunctive relief and other legal remedies to enforce the chapter, on top of any fine imposed for holding an unpermitted demonstration or parade on county property.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this permit rule apply to a parade downtown in Edwardsville?
No. Section 54.15(A) only covers events on county-owned buildings and grounds listed in Section 54.01, such as the Courthouse, Administration Building and county Annexes. A parade on Edwardsville's own streets is permitted through the city, not the county Buildings Committee.
How far ahead must a demonstration or parade request be filed?
Section 54.15(A) requires a written request to the Buildings Committee at least seven days before the event. A late request can still be granted if the applicant proves the reason for the parade or gathering was not reasonably foreseeable within that seven-day window.
Can the county deny a parade or demonstration permit?
Yes. Section 54.16(C) lets the Buildings Committee deny a request, in whole or part, for reasons including scheduling conflicts, interference with county business or traffic, safety hazards, or if the event is a commercial activity, and it must mail written reasons for any denial.
What if the Buildings Committee denies my permit request?
Section 54.16(E) lets a denied applicant appeal in writing to the full County Board at least three days before the event. The Chairperson must decide in writing at least one day before the event starts, and that decision is final under the Illinois Administrative Review Act.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Madison County

All Madison County rules

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