Group Proposed By State Senator, Supported By The Governor

The state of Illinois has plans for an "Unmanned Aerial System Oversight Task Force" comprised of 22 representatives from different stakeholder groups.

AUVSI said in a posting on its website that its Heartland Chapter will be working with the Illinois State Senate to help stand up the task force, which will be charged with  providing guidance into the safe operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and input and oversight in creating comprehensive laws and rules for the operation and use of UAS technology in Illinois.

The concept for the task force was  introduced by Sen. Julie Morrison (D-29th District). The bill requires the Task Force to consider commercial and private uses of drones, landowner and privacy rights, as well as general rules and regulations for safe operation of drones, and prepare comprehensive recommendations for the safe and lawful operation of Unmanned Aerial Systems in this State. It also requires the Task Force to submit a report with recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly no later than July 1, 2016. The task force would be dissolved on September 1, 2016.

The AUVSI Heartland chapter, which covers Illinois and Wisconsin, worked through Senator Morrison's office and submitted a request to be the designee representing the association as a UAS commercial technical representative.

AUVSI has not yet been granted a seat at the table, and the association says it is  still working towards this end with the Illinois Governor’s office, and a decision will be reached in the coming month.

(Image from file)

FMI: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=44&GAID=13&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=88&GA=99