NW Illinois News

Law enforcement agencies can use drones more frequently to better assist their policing efforts now that House Bill 3902 has been signed into law, said Illinois State Rep. Daniel Swanson (R-Alpha), who co-sponsored the bill, in a July 5 news release.

"A new law passed by the General Assembly this year expands the ability for local police to utilize drones for public safety," Swanson wrote in the release. "I spoke in favor of this legislation because of the positives as to this passing. Law enforcement agencies can use a drone when searching for a missing person or child and many other uses in emergency situations."

In his press release, Swanson shared a link to a WGEM article about the new law. The news outlet spoke to Quincy Police Officer Zachary Tuley, who said his department uses drones for tactical situations and for obtaining crime scene images. He said there are situations in which police can't use drones, including First Amendment rallies or protests. 

Kenny Winslow, the executive director of the Illinois Association of Chiefs, plans to offer training for police departments, the Edwardsville Intelligencer said. The protections in the bill, including requirements that police post notices if they are surveilling an event and that they keep records of flight paths, are important, Winslow told the Intelligencer. 

Known as the "Drones as First Responders Act," the bill allows law enforcement to use drones for “additional specified law enforcement purposes.” It prohibits the use of weapons and facial recognition on drones. It took effect on June 16, 2023, the day it was signed into law. The bill was first filed by Rep. Will Davis in the House on February 17, 2023, and moved to the Senate on March 23. It was approved by the Senate on May 24.

Swanson was sworn into the Illinois House of Representatives on January 11, 2017. He is a retired lieutenant colonel of the Illinois National Guard, his website says.