Lake County, IL Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)
Film location permits in Lake County, IL, sometimes called film shoot permits, production permits, or filming authorizations, cover commercial photography, video shoots, and motion picture production.
Key Facts
- Permitting authority
- Lake County Engineer
- Permit type
- special event permit
- Legal basis
- 605 ILCS 5/5-414 et seq.
- Scope
- county highway right-of-way only
- Fees
- set by County Engineer
Summary
Filming a movie, TV show, commercial, or documentary on a Lake County highway that requires closing the road needs a special event permit from the County Engineer, the same permit used for parades and festivals.
Pursuant to 605 ILCS 5/5-414 et seq. as amended, the County Engineer may, upon application by the proper authorities of any governmental agency or person, 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.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-15: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 26-0618, passed 6-9-2026 | State legislation current through ILCS Pamphlet 2025 #5).
Full Breakdown
Lake County Code § 90.053 lets the County Engineer issue a special event permit to temporarily close any portion of a county highway for special events of public interest and filming, alongside parades, marathons and festivals. It's one of four right-of-way use permits set out in § 90.052 (special event, utility, facility, single service connection). Under § 90.023 the chapter's jurisdiction covers county highway right-of-way wherever it runs, including segments inside a township or municipality -- but it only reaches the county highway system, not municipal streets or private property. Fees are set by the County Engineer per § 90.032.
Violations & Fines
Closing or using a county highway right-of-way without the required permit violates Chapter 90; Lake County's general penalty under § 10.99 applies -- a fine up to $1,000, with each day of violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the permit cover filming on private property or city streets?
What other permits exist for the county right-of-way?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lake County
Compare Lake County to another location·View the Illinois filming & production overview
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