Illinois authorities are investigating a police department accused of improperly sharing license-plate reader data with a Texas sheriff searching for a woman who had a self-managed abortion, potentially violating state laws designed to protect reproductive privacy.
At a Glance
- Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias asked the attorney general to investigate
- Mount Prospect police for sharing license-plate data with a Texas sheriff on an abortion-related case
- The data-sharing breached Illinois’ 2023 shield law protecting abortion patients and undocumented immigrants
- Officials uncovered 262 unauthorized immigration-related searches by the department
- Flock Safety has blocked access to 62 out-of-state agencies and now filters requests referencing “abortion” or “immigration”
- Illinois will conduct audits to ensure compliance with privacy protections
License-Plate Data Turned Surveillance Tool
The controversy began after Mount Prospect police responded to a request from a Texas sheriff investigating a self-managed abortion—despite Illinois’ 2023 shield law banning data-sharing for such purposes. Secretary Giannoulias flagged this as a violation and called for an investigation, according to AP News.
Immigration Tracking Also Revealed
Further review revealed 262 unauthorized searches targeting undocumented immigrants, compounding the legal breach. The findings triggered bipartisan alarm over potential misuse of Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) systems, which track and store millions of plate scans daily.
Flock Tightens Controls, State Launches Audits
In response, Flock Safety—the firm providing many Illinois police departments with ALPR cameras—has revoked access for 62 out-of-state agencies and implemented filters to block search terms such as “abortion” and “immigration,” according to AP News. Illinois will also begin routine audits to enforce compliance with privacy laws and restore public trust.
Watch a report: License-Plate Readers Under Fire in Illinois.
What This Means for Privacy
The scandal underscores growing concerns that ALPR networks—while useful for recovering stolen cars or locating missing persons—can be weaponized for surveillance of vulnerable populations. Civil rights advocates warn that robust legal protections and oversight are critical as police and private vendors manage increasingly powerful tracking tools.
Illinois’ swift response may serve as a national example—but for privacy watchdogs, the battle over data misuse is far from over.
