Location Permits: Chicago vs Schaumburg
How do location permits rules compare between Chicago, IL and Schaumburg, IL?
Chicago and Schaumburg have similar restriction levels.
Chicago, IL
Cook County
Forest Preserves of Cook County issue filming permits for productions on FPDCC's 70,000 acres under FPDCC Ordinance Article VI. Suburban Cook municipalities typically run their own film offices; Chicago has its own DCASE Film Office. The county itself has no countywide film office.
View full Chicago rules →Schaumburg, IL
Cook County
Forest Preserves of Cook County issue filming permits for productions on FPDCC's 70,000 acres under FPDCC Ordinance Article VI. Suburban Cook municipalities typically run their own film offices; Chicago has its own DCASE Film Office. The county itself has no countywide film office.
View full Schaumburg rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chicago | Schaumburg |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Preserve permit | FPDCC Article VI | FPDCC Article VI |
| FPDCC daily fee | $250–$2,500 plus insurance | $250–$2,500 plus insurance |
| Suburban offices | Each city issues separately | Each city issues separately |
| Chicago handler | DCASE Film Office | DCASE Film Office |
| Countywide office | None; contact each jurisdiction | None; contact each jurisdiction |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chicago FAQ
Do I need a Cook County filming permit for a music video shoot?
Cook County itself does not issue countywide filming permits. You need a Forest Preserve permit for FPDCC land, a municipal permit from the suburb or village, or a DCASE permit if shooting in Chicago. Each agency runs its own application.
How much does an FPDCC filming permit cost?
Forest Preserve filming fees scale with crew size and impact, generally $250–$2,500 per day plus a refundable damage deposit and proof of $1 million general liability insurance naming FPDCC as additional insured.
Can I film a wedding ceremony at a Cook forest preserve?
Personal photography for a small wedding generally falls under the FPDCC special-use picnic permit rather than the commercial filming permit. Hiring a paid photo or video crew may push the event into the commercial category requiring a higher fee.
Schaumburg FAQ
Do I need a Cook County filming permit for a music video shoot?
Cook County itself does not issue countywide filming permits. You need a Forest Preserve permit for FPDCC land, a municipal permit from the suburb or village, or a DCASE permit if shooting in Chicago. Each agency runs its own application.
How much does an FPDCC filming permit cost?
Forest Preserve filming fees scale with crew size and impact, generally $250–$2,500 per day plus a refundable damage deposit and proof of $1 million general liability insurance naming FPDCC as additional insured.
Can I film a wedding ceremony at a Cook forest preserve?
Personal photography for a small wedding generally falls under the FPDCC special-use picnic permit rather than the commercial filming permit. Hiring a paid photo or video crew may push the event into the commercial category requiring a higher fee.
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