Will County, IL Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit needed
- Special event permit for highway closures
- Advance notice
- Contact WCDOT 30 days ahead
- Insurance
- Proof of insurance required before issuance
- Cleanup duty
- Permittee must clean right-of-way after
- Issuing agency
- Will County Division of Transportation (WCDOT)
Summary
Closing a county highway in Will County for a parade, festival or race requires a special event permit from the Division of Transportation, applied for at least 30 days ahead, with insurance and traffic-control conditions attached.
(A) A special event permit is required for any activity on county highway right-of-way which impacts or has the potential to impact the traveling public. Municipal corporations, governmental agencies, or a person or business may apply for a special event permit. Contact with the WCDOT shall be made by the applicant in the early stage of the event's planning process, a minimum of 30 days prior to the planned event.
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
Will County Code § 56.121 requires a special event permit from the Will County Division of Transportation (WCDOT) before closing any portion of a county highway right-of-way for a parade, marathon, festival or other event that impacts or could impact the traveling public. Municipal corporations, agencies, businesses or individuals may apply, but must contact WCDOT at least 30 days before the planned event. Closures on a designated freeway, principal arterial or arterial can trigger added conditions such as a detour plan, coordination with emergency services and changeable message signs. The permittee arranges its own traffic control, signage and police presence, supplies proof of insurance, and must clean the right-of-way afterward. This covers county highways only. Joliet, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Plainfield and Lockport permit closures on their own municipal streets separately.
Violations & Fines
WCDOT can order the cessation of activity and removal of a closure, and revoke the permit, for noncompliance with permit conditions (§ 56.125); a permittee who leaves debris, litter or signage behind can be billed for WCDOT's cleanup costs (§ 56.124(B)).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Will County require a permit to close a road for a festival?
How far in advance do I need to apply?
What if I don't clean up after the event?
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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