Lake County, IL Filming & Production: Street Closures (2026)
Key Facts
- Issuing authority
- Lake County Engineer / LCDOT
- Permit type
- Special event permit
- Applies to
- County highways only, not municipal streets
- Statutory basis
- 605 ILCS 5/5-414 et seq.
- General penalty
- Up to $1,000/day, § 10.99
Summary
Closing a county highway in Lake County for filming requires a special event permit issued by the County Engineer, who may authorize temporary closure of any portion of the road for public-interest events and filming.
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, under 605 ILCS 5/5-414 et seq., issue a special event permit to temporarily close any portion of a county highway for a public purpose, expressly including "special events of public interest and filming." This applies only to roads on the county highway system (per § 90.023, county highway right-of-way regardless of township or municipality). Streets owned by Waukegan, Highland Park, Gurnee, Libertyville and other municipalities are governed by those cities' own permit rules, not this chapter. Applications go through Lake County DOT.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 90 sets no dedicated fine for an unpermitted special-event closure; the code's general penalty at § 10.99 applies: up to $1,000 per violation, with each day of an ongoing violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to close a Lake County road for filming?
Does this permit cover streets inside Waukegan or Highland Park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lake County
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