Parades crossing or closing a Cook County highway route require a Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways right-of-way permit plus Sheriff's Office traffic-control coordination. Suburban municipalities issue their own parade permits for local streets; Chicago handles its own parades.
Parades, runs, and processions that cross or close any Cook County highway (designated CH or county-maintained route) require a temporary right-of-way permit from the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways under Chapter 90 of the county code. Applicants typically apply 30–60 days in advance, provide a route map, certificate of $1 million liability insurance naming the county, and a traffic-control plan reviewed by the Cook County Sheriff's Office Special Operations Unit when sheriff escort is needed. Suburban municipalities issue their own parade permits for streets they maintain. Multi-jurisdictional parades like St. Patrick's Day events file with each affected agency.
Holding a parade on a Cook County highway without a DOTH permit can trigger immediate stop-and-disperse orders, Chapter 90 citations, and personal liability for traffic-control costs and accidents. Sheriff escort without coordination triggers personnel-cost recovery from organizers.
See how Cook County's parade permits rules stack up against other locations.
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