Chicago, IL Filming & Production: Student Filming (2026)
Key Facts
- Standard permit fee
- $250 per event
- Student/classroom fee
- $25 per event
- Permit issuer
- Chicago Dept. of Transportation
- Insurance required
- $1,000,000 general liability
- Violation fine
- $500-$2,500 per offense
Summary
Student and classroom film shoots that block Chicago streets still need a Film Production Permit from CDOT, but the fee drops to $25 instead of $250.
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; provided, however, that a $25.00 permit fee shall be assessed if the filmed event: (i) is produced by students or school administrators as part of a classroom project...
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
Any film production event on Chicago's public way, one that closes streets, requires exclusive staging space, needs special City services, or involves special effects, requires filing a City Services Request Form with the Chicago Film Office and obtaining a Film Production Permit from CDOT. The standard fee is $250, but MCC § 10-8-337(d)(3) cuts it to $25 for projects produced by students or school administrators as part of a classroom project, or by a not-for-profit for educational purposes. Applicants must still carry $1,000,000 in commercial general liability insurance and sign an indemnification agreement before the permit issues.
Violations & Fines
Filming without the required permit, or exceeding its scope, draws a fine of $500 to $2,500 per offense under MCC § 10-8-337(j), with each day of violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Chicago student film need a permit?
How much does a student film permit cost in Chicago?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chicago
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