Drone Regulations in Illinois: 2025 Operator Guide

Illinois requires drone operators to follow all federal FAA rules and adds state-level restrictions related to surveillance, prisons, and critical infrastructure. No state drone license or registration is required beyond FAA mandates. Several bills in the 104th General Assembly are pending; consult ilga.gov for current law before flying.

Quick Answer: What Illinois Drone Operators Must Know

The following rules apply to all drone operations in Illinois.

Commercial operators must hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (14 CFR Part 107). No Illinois-specific commercial drone license exists as of April 2026.

Recreational flyers must pass the FAA TRUST (The Recreational UAS Safety Test) before flying. TRUST is free and available through FAA-approved test administrators.

All operators must register any drone weighing more than 0.55 lbs (250 g) with the FAA. Registration costs $5 per drone and is valid for three years (14 CFR Part 47 / FAA DroneZone).

Remote ID is required. Drones must broadcast identification and location data either via a built-in module or an add-on broadcast module (14 CFR Part 89).

Illinois state law addresses drone use for surveillance, near correctional facilities, and the weaponization of drones (720 ILCS 5/). Law enforcement drone use is separately regulated under the Freedom from Drone Surveillance Act (725 ILCS 167/).

Local rules apply. Chicago has its own drone ordinance with permit requirements for commercial operations. Other municipalities may have additional restrictions.

Six bills in the 104th Illinois General Assembly address drone safety, privacy, and security. None had been enacted as of April 2026, but operators should monitor ilga.gov.

Federal Rules That Apply to Every Illinois Drone Flight

Federal law preempts state regulation of navigable airspace (49 U.S.C. § 40103), so FAA rules are the baseline for every flight in Illinois.

FAA Registration

Any drone between 0.55 lbs and 55 lbs requires registration through FAA DroneZone (faa.gov/uas). The fee is $5 per drone, valid for three years (14 CFR Part 47). The registration number must be marked on the exterior of the aircraft. Drones over 55 lbs follow a separate aircraft registration process.

Part 107 for Commercial Operations

Any flight for a business purpose requires the operator to hold a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (14 CFR Part 107). Key operating rules under Part 107 include:

• Maximum altitude: 400 ft above ground level (AGL), or within 400 ft of a structure
• Daylight and civil twilight operations only; twilight flights require anti-collision lighting visible from 3 statute miles
• Visual line of sight required unless the operator holds a waiver
• Maximum groundspeed: 100 mph
• No flight over moving vehicles or people without a waiver or specific Part 107 authorization category

Waivers for night flight, operations over people, and beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) are available through FAA DroneZone. Processing times vary; allow at least 90 days for complex waivers.

TRUST for Recreational Flyers

Hobbyists must pass TRUST before flying. The test is free, untimed, and available at faa.gov/uas/recreational_fliers. Proof of completion must be carried when flying.

Remote ID

All drones operated in the United States must comply with Remote ID requirements (14 CFR Part 89). Drones manufactured after September 16, 2023, must have built-in Remote ID. Older drones without built-in capability require an add-on broadcast module. The FAA began enforcement in 2024.

Airspace Authorization: LAANC and Manual FAA Authorization

Illinois has significant controlled airspace. Class B surrounds O'Hare International (ORD) and Midway (MDW). Class C and D airspace covers regional airports, including Peoria (PIA), Rockford (RFD), and Springfield (SPI). Authorization is required before entering controlled airspace.

LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) provides near-real-time authorization for flights below FAA-established ceiling grids at participating airports. It is available through apps like Aloft and Foreflight. Where LAANC is not available, use FAA DroneZone for manual authorization, which can take up to 90 days.

Use the FAA B4UFLY app and UAS Facility Maps (faa.gov/uas/programs_partnerships/data_exchange) before every flight to check current airspace status and any active Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs).

FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024

The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 extended FAA authority and included provisions affecting UAS operations. Consult the FAA UAS website (faa.gov/uas) for any updated rules stemming from the reauthorization.

Illinois State Statutes Governing Drone Use

Illinois does not require a separate state drone license, but several statutes create criminal exposure for operators.

Illinois Aeronautics Act

The Illinois Aeronautics Act (620 ILCS 5/) grants the Illinois Department of Transportation Division of Aeronautics jurisdiction over aeronautical activities. Operators should consult the IDOT Division of Aeronautics for any state-level aeronautical guidance, as drone-specific administrative rules may be updated independently of criminal statutes.

Drone Surveillance and Unauthorized Videotaping

Provisions within the Illinois Criminal Code (720 ILCS 5/) prohibit using a drone to conduct surveillance of an individual or their property without consent. Operators should review the current text of the statute at ilga.gov, as specific section numbers are subject to amendment. Violations can range from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class 4 felony.

Weaponized Drones

Illinois law prohibits attaching weapons to drones or using drones as weapons. Consult the Illinois Criminal Code (720 ILCS 5/) and verify the current section with IDOT Division of Aeronautics or an aviation attorney, as the specific subsection has been the subject of legislative activity.

Correctional Facilities and Prison Airspace

State law addresses drone operations near correctional facilities. This is an area of active legislative focus, as seen in bills like HB 4003 (104th General Assembly). Operators must consult the current Illinois Criminal Code (720 ILCS 5/) to determine the specific restrictions and boundaries before flying near any Illinois Department of Corrections facility.

Critical Infrastructure

The Illinois Criminal Code (720 ILCS 5/) contains provisions related to drone flight over critical infrastructure, including power plants, water treatment facilities, and oil and gas infrastructure. Because this area has been subject to legislative revision, operators must consult the current statutes at ilga.gov to identify specific restrictions.

Freedom from Drone Surveillance Act

The Freedom from Drone Surveillance Act (725 ILCS 167/) governs law enforcement use of drones in Illinois. Key provisions include:

• Law enforcement agencies generally must obtain a warrant before using a drone to gather information.
• Exceptions exist for border security, search and rescue, and certain emergencies.
• Data collected by law enforcement drones is subject to retention limits and use restrictions.

This statute applies to government agencies, not private operators.

Wildlife Harassment

SB 2698, a 103rd General Assembly bill proposing restrictions on using drones to harass wildlife, did not advance. However, existing provisions of the Illinois Wildlife Code (520 ILCS 5/) prohibit harassment of wildlife. Drone operators who use aircraft to disturb or pursue animals could face exposure under those provisions. Consult 520 ILCS 5/ and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for current applicability to drone operations.

No-Fly Zones and Restricted Areas in Illinois

Federal Airspace Restrictions

Class B airspace surrounds O'Hare (ORD) and Midway (MDW). The surface area of Class B extends roughly 10 nautical miles from each airport, with outer rings extending further. LAANC authorization is required before entering. Check UAS Facility Maps for specific altitude ceilings.

Class C and D airspace surrounds regional airports statewide. The surface-area radius for Class C is approximately 5 nautical miles; Class D is typically 4 nautical miles. Verify boundaries against current charts or the B4UFLY app.

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) are issued for stadium events, VIP movements, and emergencies (14 CFR §§ 91.137, 91.145). Major sporting events at Wrigley Field, Guaranteed Rate Field, Soldier Field, and United Center regularly generate TFRs. Check notams.faa.gov or B4UFLY before every flight.

State-Law Restricted Zones

Correctional facilities and state prisons: The Illinois Criminal Code (720 ILCS 5/) addresses drone operations near these facilities. Consult the current statute at ilga.gov to determine the exact restrictions and buffer distances.

Critical infrastructure: The Criminal Code (720 ILCS 5/) contains restrictions related to drone flight over facilities like power plants and water treatment centers. Treat any industrial facility as potentially restricted and consult the current statute.

Illinois State Parks and DNR Land

The Illinois DNR's policy on drone use in state parks is not codified in a single administrative rule as of April 2026. Consult the Illinois DNR directly (dnr.illinois.gov) before flying in any state park, nature preserve, or DNR-managed land. Some sites may require a permit or prohibit drone operations entirely.

City of Chicago

Chicago has its own drone ordinance within the Chicago Municipal Code. Commercial drone operations require a permit from the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP). Consult Chicago BACP directly at chicago.gov/bacp for current permit fees and application requirements. Recreational flying is also restricted in many areas, including parks and the lakefront. Review the current Chicago Municipal Code before any Chicago operation.

National Forests and Federal Lands

Shawnee National Forest falls under U.S. Forest Service (USFS) jurisdiction. The USFS generally prohibits launching, landing, or operating drones on National Forest System lands without a special use permit. Consult the Shawnee National Forest ranger district office for current permit requirements. National Park Service sites generally prohibit drone launch and landing within their boundaries without a permit.

What Changed Recently: Pending Illinois Legislation (2025–2026)

None of the bills described below had been enacted into law as of April 2026. Monitor ilga.gov for current status.

Active Bills in the 104th General Assembly

HB 5275 — Drone Safety & Interference: Re-referred to Rules Committee as of April 18, 2026. The bill title indicates a focus on drone safety and interference. Consult the full bill text at ilga.gov or openstates.org/il/bills/104th/HB5275/.

SB 3930 — Drone Safety & Interference: Companion bill to HB 5275. Re-referred to Assignments as of March 28, 2026. Status at openstates.org/il/bills/104th/SB3930/.

SB 3281 — Criminal Code / Drone Privacy: Added a co-sponsor as of March 25, 2026. The bill title indicates privacy-focused criminal code amendments. Full text at openstates.org/il/bills/104th/SB3281/.

SB 3990 — Unmanned Aerial Drone Security: Referred to Assignments as of March 18, 2026. Security-focused. Full text at openstates.org/il/bills/104th/SB3990/.

SB 2364 — Unmanned Aerial Drone Security: Also referred to Assignments on March 18, 2026. Companion or related bill to SB 3990. Full text at openstates.org/il/bills/104th/SB2364/.

HB 4003 — Criminal Code / Aerial Drone / Prison: Referred to Rules Committee as of March 18, 2026. Addresses drone operations near correctional facilities. Full text at openstates.org/il/bills/104th/HB4003/.

Prior-Session Bills That Did Not Advance

The 103rd General Assembly saw similar activity: SB 3729 (Unmanned Aerial Drone Security), SB 2698 (Wildlife and Drone Safety), SB 1981 (Aeronautics-Drone Regulation), and HB 5132 (Criminal Code / Aerial Drone / Prison) all stalled in committee. The recurrence of these bill types in the 104th session signals sustained legislative interest.

What to Watch

The pattern across both sessions points toward three likely areas of future regulation: expanded criminal penalties for interference with aircraft, stronger privacy protections against drone surveillance, and tighter restrictions around correctional facilities and critical infrastructure.

Permit Fees, Timelines, and Requirements at a Glance

Part 107 knowledge test fee: Approximately $175 at PSI and CATS testing centers. Verify the current fee at faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/become_a_drone_pilot before scheduling.

LAANC vs. manual authorization: LAANC is the standard for most controlled-airspace flights. If the ceiling grid for your location shows 0 ft in LAANC, you must use FAA DroneZone for manual authorization, which can take up to 90 days.

Next Steps: How to Fly Legally in Illinois

Pre-Flight Compliance Checklist