Filming & Production in Illinois (2026)
20 rules on the books across Illinois, 9 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Location Permits
Permits required to film on public or private property, including application timelines, fees, insurance requirements, and neighborhood notification rules.
Chicago
Significant RestrictionsFilming that blocks streets, sidewalks or needs City services requires a $250 CDOT film production permit.
Read full rule →Cicero
Significant RestrictionsAnyone filming a movie, commercial or similar production on or through Cicero's public ways needs a filming production…
Read full rule →Evanston
Significant RestrictionsAnyone filming a media broadcast, motion picture or still commercial photo shoot in an Evanston park must first get a…
Read full rule →Naperville
Significant RestrictionsFilming a commercial, movie, TV program, or other media production in Naperville counts as a special event; producers…
Read full rule →Joliet
Some RestrictionsFilming a movie or television production in Joliet requires a permit whenever the shoot takes place on, or impacts, a…
Read full rule →Lake County
Some RestrictionsFilming a movie, TV show, commercial, or documentary on a Lake County highway that requires closing the road needs a…
Read full rule →Peoria
Some RestrictionsFilming a multi-day production on Peoria parks or public grounds requires a permit, a $2 million liability certificate…
Read full rule →Schaumburg
Some RestrictionsSchaumburg requires a special event permit before commercial film production uses public or private property in the…
Read full rule →Will County
Some RestrictionsWill County requires a special event permit from the Division of Transportation before any movie, TV, commercial, or…
Read full rule →Production Noise
Noise restrictions for film and television productions, including generator limits, amplified sound, and permitted hours of operation in residential areas.
Street Closures
Rules for closing streets or sidewalks for filming, including advance notice requirements, alternative access provisions, and compensation to affected businesses.
Cicero
Significant RestrictionsThe Cicero Board of Trustees has delegated to the Town President the sole authority to approve closing a public way for…
Read full rule →Schaumburg
Significant RestrictionsWhen a Schaumburg film shoot needs to close or occupy a street, Village Code § 109.06(A) requires a special event…
Read full rule →Will County
Significant RestrictionsWill County's Engineer issues a special event permit before closing any county highway for filming, per Code § 56.120…
Read full rule →Chicago
Some RestrictionsFilming that closes streets, blocks sidewalks, or needs special City services requires a $250 Film Production Permit…
Read full rule →Joliet
Some RestrictionsWhen a Joliet film or television permit involves a road closure, section 5-49 requires uniformed police officers to be…
Read full rule →Lake County
Some RestrictionsClosing a county highway in Lake County for filming requires a special event permit issued by the County Engineer, who…
Read full rule →Student Filming
Reduced-fee or fee-waiver permits available to students enrolled in accredited film programs, including documentation requirements and use limits.
Chicago
Some RestrictionsStudent and classroom film shoots that block Chicago streets still need a Film Production Permit from CDOT, but the fee…
Read full rule →Cicero
Light RestrictionsStudent filmmakers in Cicero may not need a filming production permit at all. Section 82-404 lets the Town President…
Read full rule →Peoria
Light RestrictionsPeoria lets student filmmakers shoot on city parks and public grounds under a reduced burden: the city may waive or cut…
Read full rule →Naperville
Few RestrictionsNaperville exempts schools, students, and residents filming on their own property for educational, family, training, or…
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