Will County, IL Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Issuing authority
- Will County Engineer
- Governing section
- Will County Code § 56.054
- State authority
- 605 ILCS 5/5-414
- Scope
- County highways only, not city streets
- Penalty
- $50-$500 fine per day, § 56.033
Summary
Parades, marathons, and festivals that need to close a Will County highway require a special event permit from the County Engineer under County Code § 56.054, authorized by 605 ILCS 5/5-414.
Pursuant to ILCS Ch. 605, Act 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. COMMENTARY: Examples of events can include, but are not limited to, parades, marathons, and festivals, as well as 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 § 56.054, the County Engineer may issue a special event permit temporarily closing a county highway for parades, marathons, festivals, filming, or other events of public interest, per authority in 605 ILCS 5/5-414. This is one of four right-of-way use permits under § 56.053 (special event, utility, single-service connection, right-of-way alteration) and covers only county highways: parades confined to municipal streets in Joliet, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Plainfield, or Lockport need that city's own permit instead. Apply through the Division of Transportation before the event.
Violations & Fines
Working or holding an unpermitted activity in the county right-of-way violates § 56.033, punishable by a fine of $50 to $500 per day the violation continues, per 605 ILCS 5/9-117.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Will County permit for a parade in Joliet?
What kinds of events need this Will County permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Will County
Compare Will County to another location·View the Illinois special events & permits overview
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