Aerial Imaging Services in Joliet, 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 City of Joliet does not have a specific municipal drone ordinance beyond Illinois state law, but commercial drone operators conducting business within city limits must hold a valid City of Joliet business license. Drone takeoff and landing in Joliet parks requires coordination with the Joliet Park District, which manages Pilcher Park, Hammel Woods, and the Rock Run Trail system. Operations near Joliet Regional Airport (JOT) should check for traffic patterns but do not require LAANC authorization as JOT operates in Class E airspace. 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 logistics, commercial, and city-related projects. Drone flights near the CenterPoint Intermodal Center should coordinate with facility security and railroad operations. Operations near the University of St. Francis campus and Joliet Junior College should coordinate with campus security.

Restricted Airspace

• Class C: Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) Outer Area. Midway Class C airspace extends approximately 10 NM from the airport with shelves up to 5,000 ft MSL. While Joliet sits approximately 30 miles southwest of Midway and outside the primary Class C surface area, the outer shelves and approach corridors can affect drone operations in northern Joliet depending on altitude and runway configuration. Most commercial drone aerial imaging in Joliet stays at or below 400 ft AGL where Midway Class C does not reach. Operators should verify LAANC grid squares for their specific operating area.
• Infrastructure: I-80 / I-55 / I-355 Interchange Complex. Joliet sits at the intersection of three major interstates: I-80 (east-west transcontinental), I-55 (Chicago to St. Louis), and I-355 (Veterans Memorial Tollway, north-south). The I-80/I-55 interchange and the I-355 extension to I-80 are major infrastructure corridors with continuous widening, bridge inspection, and interchange improvement projects managed by IDOT and ISTHA. The I-80 bridge over the Des Plaines River is a critical infrastructure structure requiring periodic inspection. Drone operations near these interstate corridors should coordinate with IDOT and ISTHA and follow FAA guidance for critical infrastructure inspection.
• Infrastructure: Des Plaines River / Illinois & Michigan Canal Corridors. The Des Plaines River flows through Joliet with multiple bridge structures including the I-80 bridge, the Cass Street bridge, and the Jefferson Street bridge requiring periodic inspection. The historic Illinois & Michigan Canal corridor runs through Joliet and has ongoing trail development and heritage restoration projects. The river corridors have ongoing erosion control, flood mitigation, and waterfront redevelopment projects. The Rock Run Trail system along the Des Plaines River creates recreational corridors where drone operators should maintain safe distances from pedestrians and cyclists.
• Infrastructure: CenterPoint Intermodal Center / Logistics Corridor. Joliet is home to the CenterPoint Intermodal Center, one of the largest inland ports and logistics distribution hubs in the United States, spanning over 4,000 acres at the I-80/I-55 interchange. The facility handles container traffic from West Coast ports via BNSF and Union Pacific rail connections. Massive warehouse and distribution center construction is ongoing, with tenants including Amazon, IKEA, Home Depot, and numerous third-party logistics companies. The scale of development creates sustained demand for topographic data collection, construction monitoring, and aerial imagery. Drone operations near active intermodal facilities should coordinate with facility security and BNSF/UP railroad operations.