Recreational drones in Cook County are primarily regulated by FAA rules. Cook County Forest Preserves prohibit drone use without a permit. O'Hare and Midway airports create restricted airspace over much of Cook County.
Recreational drone use in Cook County is primarily regulated by federal FAA regulations including Part 107 and the Exception for Recreational Flyers (Section 44809). Cook County Forest Preserve District prohibits drone use on its 70,000+ acres without a special permit from the General Superintendent. The proximity of O'Hare International Airport and Midway Airport creates significant restricted airspace over much of Cook County, requiring LAANC authorization or FAA waiver for many flights. Recreational drones must stay below 400 feet, maintain visual line of sight, and yield to manned aircraft. Cook County Chapter 58 (Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions) may address local drone restrictions. Illinois state law (620 ILCS 5) provides additional drone regulations including prohibitions on drone use for hunting and surveillance.
FAA airspace violation: federal enforcement, fines up to $20,000. Forest Preserve unauthorized drone: permit violation. State law violation: per 620 ILCS 5.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Cook County.
See how other cities in Cook County handle recreational drones.
See how Arlington Heights's recreational drones rules stack up against other locations.
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