DCASE Homepage  >  Film Office  >  City Services & Rates  >  Permits for Filming

Assistance from other City departments and sister agencies may be required during film production. Some may also require additional permits. Please see the list below and let us know about your specific needs so we can help coordinate the effort.

You can now pay invoices for city services directly online at https://pay.chicago.gov/

Chicago Police Department

Police supervision is necessary for any traffic control on city streets and/or use of special effects/firearms. Production must provide appropriate timecards and paperwork for compensation when hiring personnel. An invoice for requested squads will be emailed. 

• The Police Department requires at least 72 hours prior notice for all requests (not including weekends and holidays). For filming on Monday, notice is required by noon the Friday prior. No exceptions will be made and late requests will be denied.

• It is the responsibility of the Production to speak directly with each assigned officer if there is a cancelation or schedule change. If the production cancels the assigned Police detail for ANY reason, less than 24 hours prior to the start of the detail, they are responsible for payment of each assigned officer (minimum 6 hours).

• The Production is responsible for providing timecards and invoices for payment to be issued directly to the officers. CPD will only provide invoices for requested squad cars which will be emailed following the completion of your work.

Police Personnel
Sergeants – $65 per hour
Officers – $50 per hour
Guaranteed 6 hours
Time & 1/2 after 8 hours

Equipment
Squad Car – $150 per day – traffic control only, may not be used for picture
The travel with squad car is not included in the guaranteed hours.

Chicago Fire Department

Fire Department supervision is mandatory in the use of special effects, pyrotechnics, wet downs, stunts and any instance involving the concern of public safety. Production must provide appropriate timecards and paperwork for compensation when hiring personnel.

Fire Personnel
Safety Officer – $65 per hr. (1 per assignment)
Engineer – $50 per hr.
Fireman – $45 per hr.
Guaranteed 6 hours
Time & 1/2 after 8 hours

Department of Streets & Sanitation

The Chicago Film office will assist with scheduling Streets and Sanitation services.

Posting of "No Parking" Signs
No additional charge – included in permitting fee

Tow Trucks for relocation – Contact Film Office for assistance. DO NOT CALL ON YOUR OWN.
$50 per hour

Barricades
Blue – $5 per day per barricade
Reimbursement fee for non-returned barricades- $65 each

Chicago Transit Authority: (CTA)

For filming on the “el” train and platforms as well as city buses, contact:

Nadia Manara
Project Coordinator – Business Development
Phone: 312.681.3527
Email: nmanara@transitchicago.com
Website: https://www.transitchicago.com/film/

Chicago Park District

For filming at Buckingham Fountain, City of Chicago beaches, parks, Lakefront Path, Grant Park, and the park surrounding the Museum Campus, contact:

Denise Reed Burbon
Chicago Park District Permits
New Business Development
Cell:312.656.0266
Office: 312.742.4749 or 312.763.6713
Email: denise.burbon@chicagoparkdistrict.com
Website: www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/permits-rentals/filming-photography

Illinois Film Office

For assistance with the Illinois location database, Production Resource Guide as well as to submit your location or business for production consideration, contact:

The Illinois Film Office
James R. Thompson Center
100 W. Randolph St., STE. 3-400
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 312.814.3600
Fax: 312.814.8874
Email: film@illinois.gov
TTY: 800.785.6055
Website: www.film.illinois.gov

Maggie Daley Park

337 E. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60601

Rochelle Brophy
Marketing & Events Manager
Email: rbrophy@mbres.com
Website: https://maggiedaleypark.com/permits-rentals/

McCormick Place

2301 S. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60616

Marisol Aquino, Director of Event Management
Phone: 312.791.6067
Email: MAquino@mccormickplace.com
Website: www.mccormickplace.com

Millennium Park

201 E. Randolph St.
Chicago, Il 60601

For filming at all the venues in Millennium Park, contact:

Lara Ziemba
Email: lara.ziemba@transwestern.com
Website: www.millenniumpark.org

Navy Pier

For general filming inquiries:

Email: NavyPierPR@navypier.com l publicrelations@navypier.org
Website: navypier.org/media-and-pr/

For filming at Navy Pier and the Ferris Wheel:

Felicia Bolton, Director of Communications and Public Relations
Cell: 312.605.2944
Office: 312.595.5250
Email: fbolton@navypier.org
Website: www.navypier.com

Richard J. Daley Center

For filming in the Daley Center building and plaza:

Alexa Vichio Durkin, Special Events Coordinator
Phone: 312.603.5564
Email: adurkin@mbres.com