Contact Permits Office

Email: hwypermits@cookcountygov.com 
Mail: Permit Office - Cook County Highway Department 
69 W. Washington Street, 23rd Floor 
Chicago, Illinois 60602-3007 
Phone: 312.603.1670 

Fax: 312.603.9943 

Construction/Maintenance Permits

Construction/maintenance permits are issued by the Permits Office of the Highway Department when any work is required within the Cook County Highway right of way. Type of work includes, but is not limited to, residential or commercial access, street entrances, roadway widening, regrading ditch lines, storm or sanitary sewers, water mains, sidewalk, bike paths, informational signage, traffic signals, plantings, soil borings, monitoring wells, road closures, road detours, and parades.

Utility companies, such as Commonwealth Edison, SBC and NIcor, may apply for utility permits to work within the Cook County Highway Department Right of Way under the existing agreement. The designated personnel of these companies may submit applicable documents to the Permit Office.

Construction Permit Packet

Construction Permit Information Packet 
Contains all required construction permit documents listed below.
All documents can be downloaded together in this file or downloaded individually below.

The Construction Permits Information Packet contains the following documents:

• General Requirements
  Information and documents required to submit an application for a construction permit.

• Permit Application Form
  ( PDF format)
  (MS Word fill-in format) 
  Application form to obtain construction permit.

• Bond and Insurance Requirements
  Bond and Insurance Requirements 
  Details the bond and insurance requirements when applying for a construction permit.
  Insurance Form Sample A 
  Sample for Certificate of Insurance for individual construction permit.
  Insurance Form Sample C
  Sample for Certificate of Insurance for multiple permits commonly used for pipeline/cable/fiber optic companies and private utilities.

• General Conditions 
  General terms and conditions for all construction permit work. Submission of a construction permit application implies agreement to all conditions listed in this document.

• Fee Schedule
  New fee structures are effective July 19, 2007.
  Please refer to the June 19, 2007 Ordinances for fee schedules.

Haul Permits

The Cook County Highway Department is authorized by the Illinois Size and Weight Law (625ILCS 5/Ch. 15) to issue special permits. These permits allow the operation of vehicle or loads that exceed the legal maximum dimensions and weights. The Haul Permits are valid only for those highways under the jurisdiction of the Cook County Highway Department ( see system maps page  ).

Conditions for Haul Permits

The oversize/overweight permits are subject to these Conditions for Haul Permits.

Conditions for Haul Permits
("cc_hwy_HaulConditionsNew.pdf" - 98 KB)

Prior to issuance of these permits, the trucking companies must provide the following three items:

1. Request for Usage - On company letterhead, the trucking company must request usage of the Cook County Highway system to haul overweight and/or overdimension loads.

2. Proof of Insurance - Next, proof of insurance must be provided. This completes the registration of the company.

Proof of the Certificate of Insurance Form per Sample B
Sample for Certificate of Insurance for Haul Permits.

3. Permit Application - Next, the company will complete and submit the “Oversize/Overweight Permit Application Form” by fax to 312-603-9943.

Oversize/Overweight Permit Application Form
Application form to obtain a Haul Permit (fill in format).

Limited Continuous Annual Haul Permits

Limited Continuous Annual Haul Permits Effective August 20, 2009

For companies that qualify for Limited Continuous Annual Haul Permits according to Ordinance 09-O-46:

1. Request Registration - Initially, on company letterhead, the trucking company must request registration as a business located on a County highway or within 1 (one) mile of a County Highway

2. Registration Form and Proof of Insurance - Next, proof of insurance must be provided (unless the insurance is still effective under the old Ordinance 07-O-34). In addition, the company will complete and submit the “Limited Continuous Annual Permit Location Registration” form.

Proof of the Certificate of Insurance Form per Sample B
Sample for Certificate of Insurance for Haul Permits.

Limited Continuous Annual Permit Location Registration Form
Application form to register each business location that qualifies for a Limited Continuous Annual Haul Permit.

3. Annual Haul Permit - Next, the company must complete the Limited Continuous Annual Haul Permit Application and submit by fax to 312-603-9943.

Limited Continuous Annual Permit Application Form
Application form to obtain Limited Continuous Annual Haul Permit.