Illinois Drone Laws (2026): State Rules, Local Ordinances & FAA

Restricts law enforcement agency use of drones to gather information. Requires search warrant (limited to 45 days, renewable) for most surveillance. Permits emergency use for counter-terrorism, imminent harm prevention, missing persons searches, crime/crash scene documentation, disaster response, and emergency calls. The Drones as First Responders Act (2023) added PSAP-dispatched emergency response and special event monitoring. Prohibits facial recognition and weaponization. Agencies must destroy collected data within 30 days unless evidence of criminal activity or ongoing investigation. Annual reporting required.

Prohibits knowingly recording or transmitting live video of another person without consent in restrooms, tanning beds, locker rooms, changing rooms, hotel bedrooms, residences, or similar places with reasonable expectation of privacy. Drone camera peering into bedroom window violates this statute.

Prohibits recording or transmitting private conversations without all-party consent. Illinois is effectively an all-party-consent state. A drone with a live microphone capturing a backyard or patio conversation without party consent violates this statute. Amended by Public Act 98-1142 in 2014.

Prohibits landing or operating drones on someone else's ground without permission. Persistent, low-altitude flight over a fenced yard may support trespass theory consistent with federal airspace doctrine.

Prohibits taking, pursuing, or intentionally harassing or disturbing any wild bird or mammal using an unmanned aircraft as defined by Illinois Aeronautics Act. Narrow exceptions for public utility and mobile service tower inspections and federal waterfowl-taking exceptions. No drone-recovery exception for harvested animals.

Prohibits using a drone to interfere with another person's lawful hunting, fishing, or taking of aquatic or wildlife. Enacted by HB 1652 (2013).

Default prohibition: unmanned aircraft cannot be launched, landed, or operated from IDNR-administered land without written permission from Site Superintendent. Applies to Starved Rock, Matthiessen, Giant City, Ferne Clyffe, Cache River, Illinois Beach, Rock Cut, and all other IDNR sites. Permission is site-by-site.

Establishes that regulation of unmanned aircraft systems is an exclusive power and function of the State. No unit of local government, including home-rule units, may enact ordinances or resolutions regulating UAS. Exception: municipalities with population over 1,000,000 inhabitants retain authority. Only Chicago qualifies. Enacted by SB 3291 (2018).

Prohibits any person from landing or attempting to land any aircraft on Department-owned, -leased or -managed property without prior authorization for each landing or attempted landing from the Department. Except in cases of emergency.

Chicago Park District Code, Chapter VII - Unmanned Aircraft

Requires permit for drone operation on, over, or from Chicago Park District property. Applies to 600+ parks, 8,800+ acres including Millennium Park, Grant Park, Maggie Daley Park, Lincoln Park, 18.5-mile Lakefront Trail, and all Chicago beaches. Commercial operators must provide Part 107 certification, liability insurance ($1M minimum general liability with Park District as additional insured), and site plan. Fees tiered by permit type, crew size, duration, and location. Recreational permits rarely granted in downtown parks.

Municipal Code of Chicago, Chapter 10-36-400

Prohibits flying drones over crowds, near airports, and above 400 feet without authorization. Requires compliance with FAA rules. Authorizes seizure of drones used unlawfully by law enforcement.

Municipal Ordinance No. 15-070 - Drone Restrictions During Special Events

Prohibits operation of drones within 100 feet of Village property or right-of-way during Special Events (public gathering or event held outdoors with Village permit).

Resolution 27-R-13 - Moratorium on Drone Use

Places moratorium on drone operations within City of Evanston until reasonable state and federal regulations enacted. Effectively bans recreational and commercial drones citywide.

McHenry County Conservation District Ordinance No. 14-888

Prohibits operation of drones within any District property except at areas designated by Executive Director and according to established rules, regulations, and restrictions. District property defined as first 150 feet of airspace above ground level.

Crystal Lake Park District Ordinance 11.27 - Flying Devices

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

Naperville Park District Ordinance - Drone Operations

Prohibits drone operation in any Naperville Park except Brush Hill Park where expressly allowed. Effective 2024.

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County Ordinance - Drone Regulations

Prohibits all drone operations on Forest Preserve Property except in designated flying areas. Requires permit. Operators must comply with FAA rules, act courteously, maintain liability insurance ($1M minimum) or AMA membership, provide proof on request, cease operations on staff request, respect privacy and civil rights, and comply with all local laws.

Forest Preserves of Cook County Drone Regulations

Drones allowed only in designated areas on Forest Preserve Property. Operators must comply with FAA rules, use drones courteously, maintain liability insurance ($1M minimum) OR AMA membership, cease operations on request, respect privacy and civil rights.