As Illinoisans through parades and festivities, Attorney General Kwame Raoul released guidance to state and local law enforcement about their responsibilities under the Drones as First Responders Act. The guidance is available on the Attorney General’s website to help Illinois law enforcement understand their obligations under state law while ensuring public safety. Attorney General Raoul published this guidance to ensure that law enforcement agencies are aware of the permissible and impermissible uses of drones. Generally, law enforcement agencies may not use drones to collect information about members of the public, except in limited circumstances specified by law. One of the circumstances in which law enforcement may use a drone is to ensure public safety during an event like a parade or festival. Law enforcement flying drones at such an event must notify event participants that they will be monitored. The guidance also encourages law enforcement agencies to be sensitive to the potential chilling effect that drone presence may have on First Amendment protected activity. Attorney General Raoul urges any law enforcement agency or community member, including those with information regarding suspected violations of the Drones as First Responders Act, to contact the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Bureau by calling 1-877-581-3692 or by emailing civilrights@ilag.gov.