Will County, IL Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)
Film location permits in Will County, IL, sometimes called film shoot permits, production permits, or filming authorizations, cover commercial photography, video shoots, and motion picture production.
Key Facts
- Permit needed
- For any county highway closure to film
- Issuing agency
- Will County Division of Transportation (WCDOT)
- Advance notice
- At least 30 days before the event
- Citation
- Will County Code § 56.120
- Scope
- County highways only, not municipal streets
Summary
Will County requires a special event permit from the Division of Transportation before any movie, TV, commercial, or documentary shoot closes a county highway, arranged with WCDOT at least 30 days ahead.
The County Engineer, in accordance with ILCS Ch. 605, Act 5, § 5-414 et seq. as amended, may issue a permit to temporarily close any portion of a county highway for any public purpose. Temporary closure of a highway for purpose of special events of public interest and filming shall be authorized by issuance of a special event permit.
(B) Temporary closures for emergency repairs, natural disasters, or other emergency conditions are exempt from these requirements. COMMENTARY: Examples of special events can include, but are not limited to, parades, marathons, festivals, other special events of public interest and filming for a movie, television, commercial, or documentary. (Ord. 20-231, passed 7-16-2020)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-25: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ordinance No. 24-100, passed 4-18-2024 and Res. 23-387, passed 11-16-2023; and State legislation approved through 2024 Pamphlet #2).
Full Breakdown
Under Will County Code § 56.120, the County Engineer may issue a special event permit to temporarily close a county highway, and filming for a movie, television show, commercial, or documentary counts as a covered special event alongside parades, marathons, and festivals. Applicants, municipal agencies, businesses, or individuals, must contact the Will County Division of Transportation at least 30 days before the shoot per § 56.121, and closures on freeways or arterial highways can trigger extra conditions like detour plans and police presence. The permit covers county highway right-of-way only; filming inside Joliet, Bolingbrook, or other municipalities needs that city's own permit.
Violations & Fines
Filming without a permit is unauthorized use of county highway right-of-way; WCDOT can halt the closure and revoke the permit under § 56.125, and the applicant stays liable for cleanup and any traffic-control costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Will County require a permit to film on a county road?
How far ahead do I need to apply?
Does this permit cover filming in Joliet or Bolingbrook?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Will County
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