Lake County, IL Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Notice required
- At least 30 days before event
- Issuing authority
- Lake County Engineer / LCDOT
- Insurance
- Proof of insurance required pre-permit
- Scope
- County highways only, not municipal streets
- Max fine
- $1,000 per day, per violation
Summary
Closing a county highway for a parade, festival, or street fair requires a special event permit from the Lake County Division of Transportation, applied for at least 30 days before the event.
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 LCDOT 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: 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 §§ 90.120-90.125, the County Engineer may issue a special event permit to temporarily close a county highway for parades, marathons, festivals, and filming. Applicants -- municipalities, agencies, businesses, or individuals -- must contact LCDOT at least 30 days ahead, provide proof of insurance, and arrange their own traffic control, signage, and police or sheriff presence. LCDOT can impose extra conditions (detour plans, media notice, changeable message signs) on freeways and arterials, and can revoke the permit for noncompliance. This applies only to county-maintained highways -- a festival on a municipal downtown street, such as in Highland Park, Libertyville, or Waukegan, falls under that city's own code instead.
Violations & Fines
LCDOT can revoke the permit and halt the closure for noncompliance with traffic-control or permit conditions; violating county ordinances generally draws a fine up to $1,000 per day under the county's general penalty provision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this permit cover a street fair in downtown Highland Park?
How far ahead must organizers apply?
What must organizers provide before the permit is issued?
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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