Will County, IL Filming & Production: Street Closures (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- County Engineer / WCDOT
- Advance notice required
- At least 30 days
- Applies to
- County highways only
- Before issuance
- Proof of insurance required
- Exempt
- Emergency repairs, disasters
Summary
Will County's Engineer issues a special event permit before closing any county highway for filming, per Code § 56.120; the rule covers only county-maintained roads, not city streets in Joliet, Bolingbrook, or Plainfield.
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 authorize temporary closure of a county highway for "special events of public interest and filming," covering movie, television, commercial, and documentary shoots. Applicants, municipal agencies, businesses, or individuals, must contact the Division of Transportation at least 30 days before the event (§ 56.121) and provide proof of insurance before the permit is issued (§ 56.124). Emergency repairs and disaster response are exempt. WCDOT sets traffic-control and detour requirements, and the permittee, not the county, handles signage, notification, and police presence for the closure.
Violations & Fines
Closing a county highway without a special event permit violates § 56.120; permittees who leave debris, signs, or equipment behind after the shoot can be billed by WCDOT for cleanup performed on their behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to film on a Will County road?
Does this cover filming on streets in Joliet or Bolingbrook?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Will County
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