Illinois legislators passed a bill recently that would expand police officers' ability to use surveillance drones for security purposes during special events like parades, festivals, concerts and races.
The approval comes less than a year after a mass shooting in Highland Park during a Fourth of July parade left seven people dead and over 30 injured.
Aurora police approached state Sen. Linda Holmes, D- Aurora, and state Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D- Aurora, and asked for the change in drone rules in 2021, officials said. Holmes and Hernandez sponsored the bill in Springfield.
Holmes said she was inspired to sponsor the bill after seeing the application of drones in Aurora during the Pratt mass shooting. She hopes Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs the bill before major events coming up to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday.
"This is one of the most important pieces of legislation I've worked on because I feel it could literally save lives," Holmes said. "We've done so much to help with gun legislation, but what would we find by putting a drone out in front of a special event like a parade in Highland Park? Would they have seen a shooter on the roof?"
Aurora police worked with other area law enforcement agencies, the Illinois Chiefs of Police, state's attorney offices and the American Civil Liberties Union to ensure the updates to drone rules also address privacy, surveillance and data usage concerns, officials said.
Aurora Police Lt. Andrew Wolcott testified in Springfield recently on the issue and said drones could help with large events across the country that could be vulnerable to mass shootings, vehicle attacks or people being trampled or seriously injured due to overcrowding.
"Using drones can give a real-time picture of what is happening at an event ... allowing law enforcement to respond in a proactive rather than reactive manner," Wolcott said.
Wolcott is a licensed drone pilot and trainer, officials said.
Clayton Muhammad, Aurora's chief communications and equity officer, said the updates to the drone rules would help police officers during some of the city's larger events, including those at RiverEdge Park, to better prepare for any kind of threat.
"For us, after Henry Pratt, a couple of people who run our drone patrol came to us and said 'our legislation is outdated and do we have your permission, can we work through you to the mayor's office and see if we can update drone legislation so we can really better survey our big events with drones?' We know its cheaper than helicopters," Muhammad said.
Under the measure, drones could not be weaponized and facial identity systems could only be used if necessary to prevent "imminent harm to life." The bill sets specific limits on where and how drones can be used, restricts photography and adds reporting and retention constraints. In addition, only events held in public outdoor spaces owned by the state, county or municipality can see the use of the drones, according to the legislation.
"It's another tool in the toolbox to try and prevent a tragedy," Holmes said.
Beacon-News Free lance reporter David Sharos contributed to this report.
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