Privacy, safety issues spur drone ordinances and regulations

Southwest suburban residents already accustomed to the sight of commercial jets and helicopters flying overhead might be seeing something else in the skies in the coming months.

Referred to variously as “multicopters” or “unmanned aerial vehicles,” but generally lumped together under the term “drone,” the tech toys were expected to be a hugely popular Christmas gift, but winter weather might be keeping the anticipated aerial onslaught on hold until flying conditions improve.

But, depending on where they live, drone owners might find that the sky is not without limits.

Municipalities as diverse as Chicago, Manhattan and Orland Park have ordinances restricting drone use, and the Cook County Forest Preserve District is also looking at drone regulations covering its properties…Please click here to read Mike Nolan’s story in the Tribune/Daily Southtown.