Illinois lacks comprehensive regulations for self-driving cars and drones as of late 2025, relying on stalled bills and federal guidelines rather than enacted statewide mandates. Proposed laws like HB1839 and HB3044 aim to permit testing and limit consumer sales of higher-autonomy vehicles, but both remain in committee without passage. Drones face FAA oversight with state additions for privacy and operations, leaving new tech in a regulatory gray area.​
Autonomous Vehicle Status
HB1839’s Safe Autonomous Vehicle Act would allow manufacturer-led projects with self-certification, insurance mandates, and fines for unauthorized operation, preempting local rules. HB3044 proposes a review committee for Level 2 vehicles only, banning sales of Levels 3-5 and requiring annual reports, but it stalled in Rules Committee. State code amendments grant exclusive authority to Illinois over AVs, blocking municipal patchwork.​
Drone Regulations
Illinois follows federal FAA Part 107 for commercial drones, with no unique 2025 state laws on autonomy or delivery beyond registration and flight restrictions. Local ordinances address privacy near critical infrastructure, but innovation outpaces rules.​
Regulatory Gaps
Past efforts like HB2575 sought Level 4/5 authorization with liability frameworks but failed, mirroring national delays amid safety concerns. Residents encounter testing pilots under NHTSA self-reporting, without broad deployment approval.​
SOURCES
[1](https://legiscan.com/IL/text/HB1839/2025)
[2](https://legiscan.com/IL/text/HB3044/id/3105944)
[3](https://www.pinnacleactuaries.com/article/illinois-and-wisconsin-prepare-legislation-future-fully-autonomous-vehicles)
[4](https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocTypeID=HB&DocNum=3044&LegID=161321)
[5](https://ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocTypeID=HB&DocNum=3044&LegID=161321)
