An editorial from the Chicago Tribune addresses the growing debate on the use of unmanned aircraft inside the United States. The ACLU supports Senate Bill 1587, the Freedom from Drone Surveillance Act, which would places regulations on the use of drone technology by police departments in the state.
The Tribune writes:
But for the same reason, they could significantly impinge on privacy. The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois wants the General Assembly to limit their use to a few purposes, such as preventing a suspect from escaping, locating missing people and averting imminent harm to life or property. Aside from those circumstances, police would need a search warrant.
A drone regulation bill sponsored by state Sen. Daniel Biss, D-Evanston, passed out of a Senate committee last week. It's a good starting place for debate.