CHICAGO — Illinois terrorism experts have issued a warning about potential drone attacks, raising concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure across the state. The advisory, distributed by the Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center (STIC), highlights the risks posed by unmanned aerial systems, particularly in the hands of lone-wolf actors or individuals affiliated with terrorist organizations.
While officials stress that there are no known threats to Illinois at this time, the assessment follows a series of drone-related incidents across the country. Authorities are particularly focused on the potential for drones to target power substations, water treatment plants, and other essential services.
One case cited in the report involves a 2024 incident in Tennessee, where a suspect was federally charged for attempting to use a drone to deploy an explosive device at an energy facility. The report also references a recent case in which a drone was spotted flying over a political rally before an attempted assassination attempt on President Donald Trump.
Experts warn that existing counter-drone measures are limited, leaving law enforcement to rely heavily on public reports. Bill Kushner, a former police chief and security consultant, emphasized the difficulty in detecting and stopping malicious drone activity. “If they’re in the wrong hands and they’re used maliciously, they can be an incredible threat,” Kushner said. “We would rely on 911 calls—‘Hey, there’s a drone flying here.’”
The advisory also raises concerns about drones being used for espionage, particularly those manufactured by foreign adversaries. The report includes examples of drones being deployed to gather intelligence on sensitive locations, with law enforcement urging heightened vigilance.
Preventative measures will rely heavily on public awareness, according to officials. “It’s going to take people seeing something and saying something,” Kushner said. “Law enforcement needs to be able to interdict the threat before it becomes a reality.”
State and federal authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the need for proactive security measures to counter potential drone threats.
