Rock Island Today

Illinois State Representative Daniel Swanson (R-71) promoted the signing of a law expanding local law enforcement's ability to utilize drones for public safety in a press release published on July 5.

"A new law passed by the General Assembly this year expands the ability for local police to utilize drones for public safety," Swanson wrote. "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 the release, Swanson shared a link to a WGEM article about the new law known as the "Drones as First Responders Act". In the article, Quincy Police Officer Zachary Tuley explained that his department traditionally uses drones in tactical situations, including pinpointing armed suspects' locations in a building and taking crime scene and accident photos. He added that, while the department can now use drones to provide surveillance for potential threats to the public, the new law still outlines restrictions.

“One of the places where we are barred from using drones is any kind of First Amendment rally or protest," Tuley said. "Any kind of specific gathering that is for your First Amendment Rights we are not allowed to, and would not, fly our drones in that area.”

According to the Edwardsville Intelligencer, Kenny Winslow, executive director of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, supported the law and is planning to offer training on the new law to local police departments in the state. He said that drone technology could save lives and expects more departments to utilize the technology moving forward. Winslow added that the protections contained in the bill, such as requirements that police departments notify the public if they are surveilling an event and keep a record of flight paths, were important aspects of the final product.

“We’re trying to be as transparent with the public as we can,” Winslow said.

According to the official Illinois General Assembly website, the "Drones as First Responders Act" allows the usage of drones by law enforcement for "additional specified law enforcement purposes" while prohibiting the use of weapons and facial recognition on the technology. The initial bill was first filed by State Representative Will Davis (D-30) in the Illinois House of Representatives on February 17 and advanced to the State Senate on March 23. It successfully advanced in the chamber on May 24 and was signed into law by Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) on June 16, going into effect immediately.

Swanson was first elected to represent his district on January 11, 2017. He is a retired Lt. Colonel who first enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard on August 11, 1977. When not representing his constituents in Springfield, Swanson works on his family farm with his father, brother, son, and nephew.