Aerial Imaging Services in Glendale Heights, 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 Glendale Heights 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 Glendale Heights business license. Drone takeoff and landing in Glendale Heights Park District facilities requires coordination with the Park District administrative office. Operations near Glendale Heights schools, including Glendale Heights Elementary District 16 and Glenbard Township High School District 87 facilities, 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 Civic Center campus and Heritage Park should maintain safe distances from pedestrians and event gatherings. Being closer to O'Hare than many western DuPage suburbs, operators should be especially diligent about LAANC grid verification before each flight.

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. Glendale Heights sits approximately 15 miles southwest of O'Hare and falls under the outer shelves at higher altitudes. Most commercial drone aerial imaging in Glendale Heights 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. Being closer to O'Hare than many western DuPage suburbs, the lower shelves may reach lower altitudes in Glendale Heights, so LAANC verification is especially important.
• Class C: Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) Outer Area. Midway International Airport Class C airspace extends approximately 15 miles southeast of Glendale Heights. While the core Class C surface area does not directly cover Glendale Heights, the outer 5-mile and 10-mile rings may affect southeast sections of the village at certain altitudes. Commercial drone operators in southeast Glendale Heights should check the FAA LAANC dashboard for their specific grid square, as altitude limits may be reduced near Midway approach corridors. Most construction drone aerial imaging at or below 400 ft AGL operates without LAANC authorization.
• 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 Glendale Heights 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 / IL-38 Roosevelt Road Corridor. Glendale Heights borders the I-355 Veterans Memorial Tollway corridor and sits along IL-38 (Roosevelt Road), both managed by IDOT and ISTHA. The tollway and arterial road corridors have continuous widening, bridge inspection, and interchange improvement projects. Drone operations near highway infrastructure should coordinate with IDOT and ISTHA and follow FAA guidance for critical infrastructure inspection. The I-355/I-88 interchange just south of Glendale Heights is a major infrastructure hub generating ongoing aerial imaging demand.
• Infrastructure: College of DuPage Campus / Glenbard Avenue Corridor. The College of DuPage main campus borders Glendale Heights to the south along Butterfield Road. The campus generates continuous facility construction, parking structure development, and infrastructure improvement projects. Drone operations near the COD campus should avoid school hours, athletic events, and the Code Enforcement campus security zones. The Glenbard Avenue corridor connecting Glendale Heights to neighboring communities has ongoing road improvement and utility projects.