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Board Delays Vote To Require Permits To Fly Drones In Chicago Parks

CHICAGO (CBS) -- You can still fly a drone in a Chicago park without a permit, but that could change as early as a month from now.

A lone drone enthusiast managed to convince the Chicago Park District board to delay action on a measure that would have barred drones from city parks unless the flyer first obtains a permit.

Enthusiast Christopher Morrison spotted the agenda item and told the board a response so simplistic could do more harm than good, prompting some to fly drones over residential neighborhoods, through back yards or in other places that could be deemed inappropriate.

Instead, he urged Park District staff to be creative.

"We have things like dog beaches. Why not drone beaches?" he asked.

Board members warned any comprehensive policy could be much more restrictive than what the board tabled.

The board asked staff to come back with ideas in a month.

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