Illinois audit exposes police department’s data sharing with U.S. Customs

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — An audit by the Secretary of State’s office has revealed that an Illinois police department has shared license plate camera data with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Alexi Giannoulias’ office shared the results of the audit on Friday, which showed the Forest Park Police Department was using technology from Motorola that was being used to give data from license plate cameras to CBP.

Since the audit, Motorola and Forest Park have worked to shut off those sharing capabilities, Giannoulias said.

“License plate reading cameras serve as powerful surveillance technology, and as Secretary of State, I’m committed to ensuring that everyone involved in data sharing is following the law and protecting Illinoisans’ right to privacy,” Giannoulias said. “These audits are one of the most important tools we have to ensure accountability and compliance with Illinois law, and our office will continue to conduct them in an effort to protect people’s private data.”

Last week, Giannoulias said a previous audit had revealed that Flock Safety, which operates the largest license plate reader system in the country, allowed U.S. Customs and Border Protection to access Illinois license plate camera data.

Giannoulias said the audit of 12 local law enforcement agencies showed that Flock did not have restrictions in place for data sharing and was running a pilot program with CBP.

His office has called upon Illinois local law enforcement to ensure their policies for license plate data do not violate the Trust Act, which prevents police in Illinois from “collaborating” with federal authorities.

In June, Illinois shut access to its cameras to out-of-state police agencies after a police department in Texas used the system to find a woman who came to Illinois for an abortion.

State Police began installing the cameras in 2022 in an effort to crack down on shootings along Chicago expressways.

The cameras capture images of vehicle license plates, which authorities say can help them track suspects in criminal investigations.

Police departments using the network regularly request data from other law enforcement agencies to investigate crimes.

The City of Rockford has installed its own network of license plate cameras, consisting of 100 cameras positioned throughout the city.

The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office announced the purchase of 44 new license plate scanners in May 2024.