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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZATION TO APPROVE AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READER (ALPR)
WHEREAS, an Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) is an electronic device capable of capturing an image of a vehicle’s make, color, and license plate; and
WHEREAS, ALPRs may assist law enforcement agencies in investigations such as locating vehicles involved in criminal offenses and finding missing and endangered children and adults; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Board recognizes the potential for abuse of electronic surveillance technologies in curtailment of First Amendment liberties and Fourth Amendment rights, and potential for exacerbating racial and socioeconomic disparities in the justice system; and
WHEREAS, preventing the misuse of data collected through ALPRs and safeguarding the exercise of constitutionally protected activity and civil liberties are essential; and
WHEREAS, Cook County is committed to building equitable, sustainable, safe, and thriving communities for all our residents. This commitment includes working to reduce inequities, ensuring our residents can enjoy their full array of civil and human rights regardless of race and ethnicity, zip code, immigration or documentation status, and providing publicly available and accessible resources for residents to understand the impact of our policies and programs, including efficacy and geographic impact; and
WHEREAS, since 2020 over 30 local municipalities have asked to deploy ALPRs within Cook County rights-of-way; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Board of Commissioners recognizes both the potential benefits of ALPRs to law enforcement agencies, when used appropriately consistent with State Law, as well as the potential dangers of its improper use.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, effective 45 days after Board approval, the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby authorize the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways to receive applications for and issue permits within incorporated areas of Cook County to local municipalities and their respective law enforcement agencies for the installation and use of ALPRs within Cook County rights-of-way, subject to permit requirements and special conditions; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the permit requirements and special conditions shall set forth terms to ensure Cook County’s core beliefs be reflected in the standards and guidelines held by Cook County for any entity seeking collect data on the vehicles and people traveling on Cook County roadways, through the installation and use of an ALPR; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that any ALPRs used or installed by Cook County agencies, including but not limited to the, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, as the law enforcement agency for unincorporated Cook County shall be subject to these same application processes and subject to the same permit requirements and special conditions; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Cook County does not condone, and will not consent to the installation of any ALPR for which the intention is to use or share the data collected in ways that may harm individuals about whom data is being collected, that may result in profiting from the sharing of this data, or any other malicious goal; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, ALPR installations within County rights-of-way in incorporated areas shall meet or exceed current traffic safety, construction requirements, as well as any applicable federal and State laws; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, any permits issued by the Department of Transportation and Highways approving ALPR installations in incorporated areas of Cook County roadways shall require that the use of ALPR within County rights-of-way and any images or data obtained therefrom be strictly for legitimate law enforcement purposes only. Images or data from ALPRs shall not be used to enforce petty offenses or offenses not listed in 605 ILCS 140/5 unless the use of the images pertains to expressway or highway safety or hazards. Images or data from ALPRs shall not be used for any other purpose prohibited by State law.
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