The Forest Preserve District of Cook County prohibits unmanned aircraft launch, landing, or operation from FPDCC property without a permit. Most suburban Cook park districts (Chicago Park District, Wilmette, Evanston, Oak Park, Schaumburg) similarly ban recreational drone flight from park lands.
The Forest Preserve District of Cook County (FPDCC) administers approximately 70,000 acres across 70 named preserves. FPDCC General Ordinance prohibits operating, launching, or landing unmanned aircraft systems from district property absent a written permit, citing wildlife protection and public-safety grounds. Permits are typically only granted for filmmaking and research. Suburban Cook park districts follow the Illinois Park District Code authority to regulate park use and almost universally ban recreational drones from park lands; Chicago Park District Code Ch. 7 includes a similar prohibition. Federal FAA airspace authority is unaffected, but takeoff and landing locations are land-use questions that local park agencies control. Violations include district citations, permit revocation, and ejection from park property; FAA action remains possible for airspace violations.
Launching or landing a drone in Cook Forest Preserves or area park district lands without a permit violates FPDCC and park district regulations. Rangers and police issue citations and may refer pilots to the FAA for airspace concerns.
See how Skokie's park drone restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.