Amazon Bringing Drone Delivery to South Chicago Suburbs

Customers within 8 miles of new fulfillment centers in Matteson and Markham will soon have the option of drone delivery for packages under 5 pounds.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Amazon is preparing to launch its Prime Air drone delivery service in the south suburbs of Chicago, with plans to open fulfillment centers in Matteson and Markham that will allow customers within an 8-mile radius to choose drone delivery for eligible orders. The drones have a 5-pound weight limit and will not deliver fragile items, but Amazon says many customers prefer the convenience of backyard drop-offs. Local officials have raised some concerns about safety and privacy, which Amazon says they are working to address through ongoing discussions.

Why it matters

Drone delivery represents the next frontier in e-commerce logistics, with the potential to significantly speed up last-mile delivery times. However, the technology also raises new questions around airspace regulation, public safety, and consumer privacy that communities will need to grapple with as these programs are rolled out.

The details

Amazon plans to open drone delivery fulfillment centers in the Chicago suburbs of Matteson and Markham, which will allow customers within an 8-mile radius to choose drone drop-off when placing orders. The drones have a 5-pound weight limit and will not deliver fragile items. Amazon says many customers prefer the convenience of backyard delivery compared to traditional curbside drop-offs. However, local officials in Tinley Park have raised concerns about safety, particularly around the drones' interactions with the town's active helipad, as well as privacy issues, though Amazon says the drones only use cameras for navigation and do not have surveillance capabilities.

  • Amazon is aiming to launch the drone delivery service in the Chicago suburbs this summer.
  • The company is currently in the process of obtaining building and construction permits in Matteson and Markham, as well as completing the approval process with the FAA.

The players

Amazon

An American multinational technology company that focuses on e-commerce, cloud computing, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence.

Josh Brundage

Senior manager of commercial operations at Amazon's Prime Air drone delivery program.

Patrick Carr

Village manager of Tinley Park, Illinois, who has raised concerns about the safety and privacy implications of Amazon's drone delivery program.

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What they’re saying

“We're very excited to be launching to sites this summer in the Chicago area. If you are a customer and you live within eight miles of those existing facilities, when you place an order you will see drone deliver as an option as long as the drone can fit what it can carry.”

— Josh Brundage, Senior manager of commercial operations

“What we've heard is a lot of people prefer it because you can get a package delivered to your backyard, which really nobody else can.”

— Josh Brundage, Senior manager of commercial operations

“The drones are autonomous. Nobody is watching the video. Nobody is flying. Is its preprogrammed to delivery.”

— Josh Brundage, Senior manager of commercial operations

“It's new tech but we are also concerned. We have drones for first responders plus we have an active helipad. After talking to the folks from Amazon, we are confident this will be operated in a safe manner.”

— Patrick Carr, Village manager of Tinley Park

What’s next

Amazon is still in the process of obtaining necessary permits and approvals from the FAA before it can launch the drone delivery service in the Chicago suburbs. Local officials in Tinley Park plan to continue discussions with Amazon to address their concerns about safety and privacy.

The takeaway

The introduction of drone delivery in suburban Chicago highlights the rapid evolution of e-commerce logistics, but also the need for careful coordination between tech companies and local communities to ensure these new technologies are deployed safely and responsibly.