Plans To File Suit If Restrictive Drone Legislation Is Passed

The Evanston, IL City Council had a very restrictive drone law on its agenda Monday which had one local resident ready to file a lawsuit should it be approved.

The Evanston ordinance would have required recreational drone users to get the permission of any property owner in the city before flying over it. But South Elgin resident Keith Kmieciak thinks that goes too far, and he and his attorney, Jeff Antonelli, say that only the FAA can regulate the use of airspace.

Local news website Evanston Now reports that the local police force says only one drone complaint has been filed with the department so far this year, but the legislation was introduced after Alderman Melissa Wynne learned of a young girl who reportedly was struck by a drone on a local playground.

The ordinance does not give clear guidance as to how a drone pilot might obtain the permission to operate his or her aircraft over public land, and does not name any public space where drones would be allowed to be flown on a regular basis.

This is not the first time Kmieciak has challenged a drone ordinance. Last year, he convinced the village board of South Elgin where he lives to ease restrictions on drone flights over most city parks, leaving only one where they are off limits.

(Image from file)

FMI: Original Report