Illinois official investigates police for sharing abortion data

In March 2023, the Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias initiated an investigation into the Mount Prospect Police Department after allegations that it violated state law by sharing data from automatic license-plate readers with a Texas sheriff. This investigation is part of the enforcement of a new law, which was implemented to prevent the misuse of license-plate data to track women seeking abortions or identify undocumented immigrants. The concerns arose following the Supreme Court's 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, leading Illinois to be a refuge state for those seeking abortion services. The Mount Prospect Police Department allegedly provided license-plate data to the sheriff in Johnson County, Texas, who was attempting to locate a woman due to concerns from her family regarding her self-administered abortion. In addition to sharing abortion-related data, the department is also reported to have shared information externally concerning undocumented immigrants, leading to further scrutiny and potential violations of the law. Records indicated that there were 262 searches related to immigration matters performed by the Mount Prospect Police between January and April 2023. Giannoulias stated that the incident highlights the very reason the Illinois law was enacted: to protect women from being tracked and possibly prosecuted when seeking abortion services across state lines after Roe v. Wade was overturned. The implementation of the law aims to ensure automatic license-plate recognition technology is used properly and within its intended scope, which includes applications for tracking criminals or missing persons but prohibits its use for surveillance that endangers individual rights. The occurrence was highlighted by a report from the website 404 Media. To prevent future violations, Giannoulias is establishing an audit system ensuring that police departments adhere to the law. Furthermore, the private company Flock Safety, which operates a significant number of the license-plate cameras, was instructed to block access to 62 out-of-state agencies seeking data related to abortion or immigration. The company has also begun flagging requests using these terms to enforce compliance. This response indicates the state's dedication to protecting individual privacy and legal rights in light of restrictive abortion laws enacted in other states since the Supreme Court’s decision, showcasing the ongoing tension surrounding reproductive rights across the United States.