Illinois

Conditional

Issuer: Illinois Film Office (Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity)

Cost: Varies by municipality; Chicago's film permit runs 250 dollars per day per location

The Illinois Film Office explicitly does not provide filming permits; permits are authorized by the municipality where you shoot, and the film office's role is incentives, locations, and pointing you to the right local contact. Chicago is its own world: the Chicago Film Office permits streets at 250 dollars per day per location, and the Park District, Millennium Park, Navy Pier, and the CTA each issue separate permits. On state land, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources requires an Activity Permit plus a Filming Questionnaire for any filming used for commercial purposes, publication, or advertising at state parks and IDNR sites, arranged with the site superintendent; visitors shooting for private use are exempt. Verify current requirements with the site office.

Commercial drone work requires FAA Part 107

IDNR sites and the City of Chicago both restrict drone operations; clear flights with the land manager. For Part 107 and state drone law, see Drone Authority.

Yes: you can photograph what is visible from public space in the US

Private property sets its own rules regardless of state law. Chicago's famous Cloud Gate sits in Millennium Park, which permits commercial photography separately.