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Madison County, IL Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

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

Key Facts

Prohibited act
Dumping trash on county/Transit District property
Exception
Trash placed in provided receptacles
Where it applies
County roads, MCT buses, trails, vehicles
Max fine
$500 per offense, § 56.99
Continuing violation
Each day is a separate offense
Extra remedy
Sheriff may impound the vehicle, § 56.16

Summary

Madison County bans dumping bottles, ashes, paper, cans, rubbish, garbage, or any other trash on county-owned property, Mass Transit District property, or in a county or transit vehicle, unless it goes into a receptacle provided for that purpose. Section 56.07 of the Transportation Regulations chapter carries a fine of up to $500 per offense.

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.

No person shall have brought in, dump, deposit, throw or leave any bottles, broken glass, ashes, paper, boxes, cans, dirt, rubbish, waste, garbage or refuse or other trash in or on any county, Transit District or any other transportation entity motor vehicle or upon any county, Transit District or any other transportation entity property, except in receptacles provided for that purpose.

View official code

Full Breakdown

01 says governs conduct on or about any property the county, the County Mass Transit District, or any other transportation entity owns, leases, or possesses, including vehicles, buildings, and the bike, walking, and recreational trails and railroad rights-of-way the Transit District operates. 02 defines TRANSIT DISTRICT PROPERTY and PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION PROPERTY broadly enough to cover county roads, MCT buses, and MCT trail corridors. 07 bars anyone from bringing in, dumping, depositing, throwing, or leaving bottles, broken glass, ashes, paper, boxes, cans, dirt, rubbish, waste, garbage, or other trash, unless it goes into a receptacle placed there for that purpose.

The ban applies specifically to county and Transit District property and vehicles rather than to dumping on private land generally, which state law and separate county nuisance provisions address. 16 to impound any motor vehicle used to violate the chapter, on top of any fine, leaving the owner responsible for towing and storage costs.

Violations & Fines

Section 56.99 fines any person who violates Chapter 56, including the littering ban in § 56.07, up to $500. Every separate act of dumping is its own offense, and every day trash is left in place counts as a further, separate offense, so a pile left on a county road or Transit District trail can keep accruing fines until it is cleaned up. The Sheriff may also impound a vehicle used to commit the violation under § 56.16.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be fined for dumping trash along a Madison County road?
Yes. Section 56.07 bans dumping bottles, ashes, rubbish, garbage, or other trash on any county-owned property, which includes county roads and rights-of-way, unless it goes into a receptacle provided for that purpose. Violations carry a fine of up to $500 under § 56.99.
Does the littering ban cover Madison County Transit District buses and trails?
Yes. Section 56.01 extends Chapter 56 to any property or vehicle the County Mass Transit District owns, leases, or possesses, including its buses, bike and walking trails, and railroad rights-of-way, so dumping trash there violates § 56.07 the same as dumping on a county road.
What's the maximum fine for illegal dumping on Madison County property?
Section 56.99 sets a fine of up to $500 for each violation of Chapter 56. Because every day the trash remains counts as a separate offense, a single pile left on county or Transit District property can generate a new fine daily until it is removed.
Can Madison County impound my vehicle for illegal dumping?
Yes. Section 56.16 lets the County Sheriff impound any motor vehicle used to violate Chapter 56, including the littering ban in § 56.07, in addition to any fine assessed under § 56.99. The owner is responsible for the transportation and storage fees.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Madison County

Recycling RulesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsPickup Rules & SchedulesSignificant RestrictionsRecycling RequirementsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome Restrictions

All Madison County rules

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