The state of Illinois is investigating an automatic license plate reader system used in a northwest Chicago suburb after a Texas sheriff accessed the system to look for a woman who recently had an abortion.
This and hundreds of other searches, according to Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, violated Illinois law.
Police agencies looking for access to license plate reader data collected in Illinois would first have to attest in writing that they wouldn’t use it to enforce other states’ laws relating to abortion or immigration.
Giannoulias’ office announced it had instructed Flock Safety, a company that operates license plate readers in Mount Prospect, to shut off access to the system to out-of-state agencies.
Giannoulias said he is also working with the Illinois attorney general to investigate further.
