Illinois Drone Laws

Restricts Illinois law enforcement agencies' use of drones to gather information. Requires a search warrant based on probable cause (limited to 45 days, renewable), reasonable suspicion of imminent harm (limited to 48 hours), or one of several narrow exceptions including missing persons search, crime scene documentation, disaster response, and PSAP-dispatched emergency response. Agencies must destroy collected data within 30 days unless retained for criminal investigation. Does not restrict private or commercial drone use. Most recently amended by P.A. 103-0101 (HB 3902) effective June 16, 2023, which added the Drones as First Responders exceptions.

Prohibits knowingly recording or transmitting live video of another person without consent in a restroom, tanning bed, locker room, changing room, hotel bedroom, residence, or any other place with a reasonable expectation of privacy. A drone camera peering into a bedroom window violates this statute the same as a handheld camera.

Rewritten by P.A. 98-1142 (2014), this statute prohibits eavesdropping on private conversations. Illinois is effectively an all-party-consent state. A drone with a live microphone that captures a backyard or patio conversation without all-party consent violates this statute. Applies where a party has a reasonable expectation of privacy in the communication.

Applies to landing or operating a drone on someone else's property without permission. Transient overflight has not been definitively applied to this statute by Illinois case law, but persistent, low-altitude flight over a fenced yard can support a trespass charge consistent with United States v. Causby's 'immediate reaches' doctrine.

Prohibits the use or aid of an unmanned aircraft to take, pursue, harass, or disturb any wild bird or mammal. Narrow exceptions exist for public-utility and mobile-service tower inspections and federal waterfowl-taking rules. Unlike Ohio, Illinois does not permit drone-aided recovery of harvested animals.

Prohibits using a drone to interfere with someone's lawful hunting, fishing, or taking of animals. Exceptions exist for law enforcement personnel, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officers, and IDNR employees acting within their authority.

Establishes that the state of Illinois has exclusive authority over the regulation of unmanned aircraft systems. Local governments, including home-rule municipalities, may not enact ordinances or resolutions to regulate UAS, with a single exception: municipalities with a population of more than 1,000,000 inhabitants (only Chicago qualifies). Preemption does not conflict with federal FAA authority over airspace.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources regulates drones on state-administered land. The default rule is that unmanned aircraft cannot be launched, landed, or operated from IDNR-administered property without written permission from the site Superintendent. This covers Starved Rock, Matthiessen, Giant City, Ferne Clyffe, Cache River, Illinois Beach, Rock Cut, and other state parks.

Except in cases of emergency, no person may land or attempt to land any aircraft on Department-owned, -leased, or -managed property without prior authorization for each landing or attempted landing from the Department.

Reinforces the prohibition on using drones to hunt or harass wildlife on IDNR-managed sites, consistent with statewide Wildlife Code 520 ILCS 5/2.33.

Chicago Park District Code, Chapter VII — Drone Operations on Park District Property

Requires a permit from the Chicago Park District for any launch, landing, or operation of a drone on Park District property. Park District property includes Millennium Park, Grant Park, Maggie Daley Park, Jackson Park, Lincoln Park, the 18.5-mile Lakefront Trail, all beaches, and all neighborhood parks (over 600 parks totaling 8,800+ acres).

Chicago Municipal Code 10-36-400 — Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Regulates drone operations within Chicago city limits. Requires compliance with FAA rules. Prohibits flying drones over crowds, near airports, or above 400 feet without authorization. Authorizes law enforcement seizure of drones used unlawfully.

Resolution 27-R-13 — Drone Moratorium

Places a moratorium on drone operations in the City of Evanston until reasonable state and federal regulation is enacted. Enacted 2016.

Ordinance 15-070 — Drone Restrictions During Special Events

Prohibits the operation of drones within 100 feet of the perimeter of any village property or right-of-way during a special event. Exceptions for operations by or on behalf of the village for monitoring or documentation.

Park Ordinance 11.27 — Flying Devices

Prohibits the landing or launching of a drone or other flying device within the Park District except when and where permitted by special Park District Programs or in designated areas.

General Use Rules and Regulations Ordinance 14-888

Prohibits the use of drones or other electric-powered model aircraft within any District property except at areas designated by the Executive Director.

General Use Regulation — Drone Operations

Allows drone usage in designated areas only. Drone users must comply with all applicable laws, operate courteously, and hold $1 million liability insurance or current AMA membership.

Park Ordinance — Drone Restrictions

Prohibits drone operation in any Naperville Park except where expressly allowed in Brush Hill Park.

General Use Regulation Ordinance — Drone Operations

Prohibits all drone operations on Forest Preserve Property except in designated flying areas and with a properly obtained permit.