The complaint may contain several counts, and several parties may be named as plaintiffs, jointly in one count and separately in others. Except as provided in this Article, no matters not germane to the distinctive purpose of the action shall be introduced by joinder, counterclaim or otherwise.
6-112.Limited to matters which are germane.
Article VI. Ejectment · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceAllows an ejectment complaint to contain several counts and multiple plaintiffs, joined jointly in one count or separately in others, but bars introducing matters unrelated to ejectment's purpose through joinder, counterclaim, or otherwise, except as Article VI allows.
Full Text of 735 ILCS 5/6-112
Plain-English Summary
Ejectment cases can involve more than one theory or more than one claimant, and this section accommodates that. A complaint may contain several counts, and it may name several plaintiffs, with some appearing jointly in a single count and others appearing separately in different counts within the same complaint.
That flexibility on structure comes with a firm limit on subject matter. Except as Article VI itself provides, the section bars introducing any matter that is not germane to ejectment's distinctive purpose, whether the attempt comes through joinder of an unrelated claim, a counterclaim, or some other device. The complaint can be organized in more than one way, but it cannot become a vehicle for claims that do not belong in an ejectment action.
This germaneness limit matters later in the case as well: 6-136 similarly restricts what can be pleaded in the post-judgment petition for mesne profits, reinforcing that Article VI keeps ejectment litigation focused on possession and title rather than becoming a catch-all proceeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an ejectment complaint include more than one count?
Yes. The section allows several counts, and multiple plaintiffs may be named jointly in one count and separately in others.
Can a defendant bring an unrelated counterclaim in an ejectment case?
Not if it is not germane to the distinctive purpose of the ejectment action; the section bars introducing non-germane matters by counterclaim except as Article VI otherwise provides.
What does "germane to the distinctive purpose of the action" mean here?
The section does not define the phrase further, but it limits the case to matters connected to ejectment's core purpose of resolving the right to possession.
Are there any matters Article VI itself allows to be joined?
The section carves out an exception for whatever Article VI otherwise provides, without listing the exceptions in this section itself.
Does this limit apply after judgment as well as at the pleading stage?
A related limit applies to the post-judgment mesne-profits petition under 6-136, which bars pleading matters that were or could have been denied in the ejectment action.
Amendment History
(Source: P.A. 82-280.)
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Illinois Compiled Statutes, published by the
Illinois Compiled Statutes, Illinois General Assembly / Legislative Reference Bureau. Last verified July 20, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: multiple counts ejectment complaint illinoisgermane matters ejectment illinoiscounterclaim in ejectment actionjoinder limits in ejectment complaint