Lake County, IL Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- Lake County Engineer
- Governing section
- § 90.053
- Scope
- County highways only, not municipal streets
- State authority
- 605 ILCS 5/5-414
- Penalty
- Up to $1,000/day, § 10.99
Summary
The County Engineer issues a special event permit under Code § 90.053 to temporarily close a county highway for parades, marathons, festivals, filming, or other public events.
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
Under Lake County Code § 90.053, the County Engineer is authorized to issue a special event permit closing a county highway for parades, marathons, festivals, filming, or other events of public interest, under authority granted by 605 ILCS 5/5-414. This permit is one of four right-of-way use permit types set out in § 90.052, alongside utility, facility, and single-service-connection permits. The authority reaches only the county highway system: closures on municipal streets in Waukegan, Highland Park, Gurnee, or other incorporated towns require a permit from that municipality instead. No fee schedule or application deadline appears in this chapter.
Violations & Fines
Violating the permit requirement falls under the county's general penalty, § 10.99: a fine of up to $1,000 per day, with each day of violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a county permit for a parade in Lake County?
What events require this special event permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lake County
Compare Lake County to another location·View the Illinois special events & permits overview
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