The Illinois Compiled Statute (ILCS) defines a drone a means any aerial vehicle that does not carry a human operator. 

725 ILCS 167/5 Freedom from Drone Surveillance Act

All police department drone pilots have completed all required FAA, 14 CFR 107 and department approved training in the operation, applicable laws, policies, and procedures regarding use of the drone. Annually, assigned department pilots will undergo refresher training on the equipment to ensure continued effective use, operation of the equipment and to incorporate changes, updates, or other provisions to the FAA and/or 14 CFR 107 requirements, statutes or department policy. Additional training may be provided at periodic intervals to ensure the continued effective use, operation and readiness of the equipment and the drone pilots.

The police department may deploy the drone:

1. To counter a high risk of a terrorist attack by a specific individual or organization if the United States Secretary of Homeland Security determines that credible intelligence indicates there is a risk. 

2. Pursuant to a search warrant based on probable cause under Section 108-3 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. The warrant must be limited to a period of 45 days, renewable by a judge upon showing good cause for subsequent periods of 45 days.

3. Upon reasonable suspicion that under particular circumstances, swift action is needed to prevent imminent harm to life, forestall the imminent escape of a suspect or prevent the destruction of evidence. The use of a drone under this paragraph is limited to a period of 48 hours. Within 24 hours of drone initiation under this paragraph, the Chief of Police must report its use, in writing, to the State’s Attorney.

 4. To locate a missing person, search and rescue or aid a person that cannot be safely reached, while not also undertaking a criminal investigation.

 5. To obtain crime scene and traffic crash scene photography in a geographically confined and time-limited manner. The use of the drone under this paragraph on private property requires either a search warrant or lawful consent to search. As it relates to lands, highways, roadways, or areas belonging to the state, a search warrant or consent to search is not required. Reasonable attempts shall be made to only photograph the crime scene or traffic crash scene and to avoid other areas.

 6. To obtain information necessary for the determination of whether a disaster or public health emergency should be declared, to manage a disaster by monitoring weather or emergency conditions, to survey damage, or to coordinate response and recovery efforts. There is no requirement that an official declaration of disaster or public health emergency be required prior to use.

 7. To conduct an infrastructure inspection of a designated building or structure at the express request of a local government agency. Any law enforcement agency operating a drone under this paragraph shall make every reasonable attempt to photograph only the building or structure and to avoid other areas.

8. To demonstrate the capabilities and functionality of the department drone for public relations purposes, provided that no information is collected or recorded during such demonstration.

9. In response to Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) dispatched calls for service, when the sole purpose for using a drone is for one or more first responders to locate victims, to assist with immediate victim health or safety needs, or to coordinate the response of emergency vehicles and personnel to an emergency.

 725 ILCS 167/15 Freedom from Drone Surveillance Act

Police drone pilots are governed under all provisions of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 14 CFR 107 requirements, 725 ILCS 167/ Freedom from Drone Surveillance Act, applicable federal and state statutes and policies, and any applicable department policy.