Chicago, IL Filming & Production: Street Closures (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit fee
- $250 (or $25 discounted)
- Issuing agency
- Chicago Dept. of Transportation
- Insurance required
- $1,000,000 per occurrence
- Penalty
- $500-$2,500 per offense/day
- Prerequisite
- City Services Request Form to Film Office
Summary
Filming that closes streets, blocks sidewalks, or needs special City services requires a $250 Film Production Permit from CDOT plus a City Services Request Form to the Chicago Film Office.
No person shall conduct a film production event without first: (i) filing a City Services Request Form with the Chicago Film Office, and (ii) obtaining a Film Production Permit from the Chicago Department of Transportation... The fee for a film production permit... shall be $250.00... any person who violates this section shall be fined not less than $500.00 nor more than $2,500.00 for each offense.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-74: Current through Council Journal of June 17, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Chicago defines a "film production event" as filming needing exclusive use of streets, sidewalks or public way for staging, or special City services like street closures, barricades, or police protection, or special effects/stunts. Producers must first file a City Services Request Form with the Chicago Film Office, then obtain a Film Production Permit from the Department of Transportation before filming. The standard permit fee is $250, reduced to $25 for student, nonprofit, or Independent Film Initiative productions. Applicants must carry $1,000,000 in commercial general liability insurance naming the City as additional insured and sign an indemnification agreement; violating the insurance requirement automatically revokes the permit.
Violations & Fines
Filming without a permit, or exceeding its scope, is fined $500 to $2,500 per offense, with each day of continued violation a separate offense; the Department can also revoke a permit for code violations or safety concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to film on a Chicago street?
How much does a Chicago film permit cost?
What happens if I film without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chicago
Compare Chicago to another location·View the Illinois filming & production overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Street Closures in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cook County handle street closures.