Aerial Imaging Services in Carol Stream, IL

FAA Part 107 Requirements

All commercial drone operations in Illinois require the pilot to hold an active FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Our network operators are verified Part 107 holders.

State Drone Laws

Illinois regulates commercial drone operations primarily through the Drones Omnibus Act (720 ILCS 5/48-1 through 48-5), enacted as Public Act 99-0566 and effective January 1, 2017. The Act prohibits using drones for surveillance of individuals without consent, restricts law enforcement drone use without a warrant, and bans drone harassment. Commercial drone operators in Illinois must hold a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and comply with all federal regulations including LAANC authorization for controlled airspace. Illinois does not require a separate state-level drone license or registration beyond FAA requirements. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Division of Aeronautics provides regulatory guidance and coordinates with the FAA on airspace matters. Illinois has state preemption language limiting local municipalities from enacting drone regulations that conflict with state or federal law, though Chicago maintains its own drone ordinance under the Chicago Municipal Code (10-36-070) requiring registration with the city for commercial operations within city limits. Operators near military installations (Naval Station Great Lakes, Scott Air Force Base, Rock Island Arsenal) must coordinate with base operations and check for active TFRs. The FAA controls all airspace above 400 feet AGL. The Chicago metropolitan area has extensive Class B (O'Hare) and Class C (Midway) airspace requiring LAANC authorization for most urban drone operations.

Local Ordinances

The Village of Carol Stream does not have a specific municipal drone ordinance beyond Illinois state law, but commercial drone operators conducting business within village limits must hold a valid Village of Carol Stream business license. Drone takeoff and landing in Carol Stream parks and recreation facilities requires coordination with the Carol Stream Park District administrative office. Operations near Carol Stream schools should avoid school hours and athletic events. The Illinois Drones Omnibus Act (720 ILCS 5/48) prohibits surveillance of individuals without consent and restricts drone use over private property. Commercial operators should carry general liability insurance of at least $1 million for drone aerial imaging on village-related and commercial development projects. Drone flights near the industrial parks along Schmale Road and Kuhn Road should maintain safe distances from manufacturing facilities and logistics truck traffic. Operations near Central DuPage Hospital (nearby in Winfield) should coordinate with hospital administration and avoid the emergency helicopter approach corridors.

Restricted Airspace

• Class B: Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) Outer Shelf. O'Hare Class B airspace extends in a layered structure up to 10,000 ft MSL. Carol Stream sits approximately 18 miles southwest of O'Hare and falls under the outer shelves at higher altitudes. Most commercial drone aerial imaging in Carol Stream stays at or below 400 ft AGL where O'Hare Class B does not reach. Operators should verify LAANC grid squares for their specific operating area, as the layered airspace structure means altitude limits vary by location within the city.
• Class C: Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) Airspace. Midway Class C airspace extends in a layered shelf structure approximately 5–10 nautical miles from the airport. Carol Stream is approximately 15 miles northwest of Midway and may fall within the outer fringes of the Class C shelf at higher altitudes. Commercial drone operations at or below 400 ft AGL typically do not require LAANC authorization for the Class C shelf, but operators should verify on the FAA LAANC dashboard for their specific grid square.
• Class D: Schaumburg Regional Airport (06C) Surface Area. Schaumburg Regional Airport has Class D airspace extending approximately 4 nautical miles from the airport up to 2,500 ft AGL. Northern sections of Carol Stream near the Army Trail Road corridor may fall within the southern edge of this airspace. Commercial drone operators within this area must obtain LAANC authorization before flight. 06C serves corporate and general aviation traffic for the northwest Chicago suburbs.
• Infrastructure: I-355 Veterans Memorial Tollway Corridor. The I-355 Veterans Memorial Tollway runs along the eastern edge of Carol Stream, connecting the city to the broader Chicago metro expressway system via the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA). The I-355 corridor has ongoing bridge inspection, interchange improvement, and widening projects. The North Avenue (IL Route 64) and Army Trail Road interchanges with I-355 create continuous transportation infrastructure demand. Drone operations near highway infrastructure should coordinate with IDOT and ISTHA and follow FAA guidance for critical infrastructure inspection.
• Infrastructure: Union Pacific / Metra Commuter Rail Corridor. The Union Pacific Railroad line runs through Carol Stream carrying Metra commuter trains on the West Line and freight traffic. The rail corridor has ongoing bridge inspection, grade crossing improvement, and track maintenance projects. The Carol Stream Metra station creates transit-oriented development demand along the corridor. Drone operations near active rail lines should follow FAA guidance for infrastructure inspection and coordinate with Union Pacific for work-zone aerial imaging.