Aerial Imaging Services in Oak Brook, 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 Oak Brook 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 Oak Brook business license. Drone takeoff and landing in Oak Brook Park District facilities and on village-owned property requires coordination with the Oak Brook Village Administration. Operations near Oak Brook Golf Club, the Oak Brook Sports Core, and other recreational facilities should avoid peak usage 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 corporate campus and commercial development projects. Oak Brook's concentration of corporate headquarters and large-lot estate properties means many operating areas are private corporate campuses where takeoff and landing permission must be obtained from the property owner or facilities management. Drone flights near the Oak Brook Center shopping mall and hotel district along I-88 should maintain safe distances from pedestrian areas and vehicle traffic.

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. Oak Brook sits approximately 15 miles southwest of O'Hare and falls under the outer shelves at higher altitudes. Most commercial drone aerial imaging in Oak Brook 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 village.
• Class C: Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) Airspace. Midway Class C airspace extends approximately 10 miles from the airport up to 4,000 ft MSL. Oak Brook lies near the western edge of this airspace. Commercial drone operators within the Midway Class C area must obtain LAANC authorization before flight. The proximity to Midway creates approach and departure corridors that may affect southern sections of Oak Brook, particularly near the I-294 and I-88 interchange.
• 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. While Oak Brook is approximately 12 miles south of 06C, northern sections near the I-355 corridor may approach 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-88 Reagan Memorial Tollway / I-294 Tri-State Tollway Interchange. Oak Brook sits at the intersection of I-88 (east-west tollway) and I-294 (north-south Tri-State Tollway), both managed by the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA). The I-88/I-294 interchange is a major infrastructure corridor with continuous widening, bridge inspection, and interchange improvement projects. The tollway corridors connect Oak Brook to Chicago, Naperville, and the broader Chicago metro expressway system. Drone operations near highway infrastructure should coordinate with IDOT and ISTHA and follow FAA guidance for critical infrastructure inspection.