Best Practices for "Filming Production" Policies in Illinois

One of Illinois’ growing industries, Filming Production, is a reliable and sustainable source of economic activity, tax revenue, and jobs.  In 2022, the film industry contributed $691 million dollars in economic impact to our state’s economy while supporting over 15,400 well-paying entertainment industry jobs.

Encouraging Filming Production is a method of economic development that can provide a jurisdiction with temporary jobs for local residents, generate local revenue and bolster local businesses. 

A Filming Production is always seeking to balance its needs for creative storytelling, with the concerns of the local government and community.

The Illinois Film Office has created the following Best Practices for Filming Production Policies in Illinois to help jurisdictions process these economic development opportunities when they materialize.

1. Establish rapid permit process: 2-5 business days from permit application submission to issuance.
2. Establish standard hours for film activities: typically, 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. for residential zones (with the option to extend hours with the approval of affected residents and business owners).
3. Establish reasonable permit fees. Compare fees charged by comparable jurisdictions and stay within or below those limits. Consider waiving permit fees for accredited student or charitable productions.  Consider waiving permit application fees.
4. Establish and post hire back fees for the reimbursement of jurisdictional personnel (e.g., permit coordinator, police, fire, traffic control, engineering).
5. Establish 24-hour time frame for notification of affected residents and business owners and posting of “No Parking signs” on permitted public spaces.  Notification should take place in person where possible and/or with paper leaflets but 100% written consent of notification should be discouraged.
6. Establish a film permit requirement but waive any requirement for a business license, as most film activities are temporary, and waive any requirement for a solicitor’s license for film personnel to interact with the public.
7. Establish a key liaison for coordinating permits, and consider establishing a back-up liaison, as well. The liaison will be required to make decisions as the community representative prior to and during filming, and therefore, should have full endorsement and authority of the local jurisdiction. The liaison should be aware of any previous film production within the community and remain sensitive to local citizens’ concerns.
8. Establish a filming permit information webpage on your city/county website clearly listing all film regulations, permit and insurance requirements, fees and liaison contact information.
9. Establish an ordinance that defines permit requirements and protects the orderly conduct of a permitted film event from persons who interfere.
10. Encourage residents and business owners to submit private property information and location photos to the Illinois Film Office Locations Database.