Illinois Changes Eavesdropping Law To Help Police
By: Patrick Fazio
Updated: July 25, 2012
As NBC 2 has investigated, Illinois is one of the few states that makes it illegal to record audio of police in public.
But Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill into law on Tuesday that makes it easier for police to record suspects.
Starting January 1st, police in Illinois will only need approval from a state's attorney if they want to record someone they think could commit a drug crime.
Currently, police need a court order. That slows down the process and officials say makes some officers miss arrests.
But this new law will let them record audio and video, only when they think people are making, using, or dealing drugs.
Police say they'll be able to make more arrests with better evidence, but it won't mean less drug crime.
"It'll remain the same because there's plenty of it out there unfortunately. We're busy all the time. We got a unit that does just that. It'll just make their job easier and they might be able to get a few more cases you know every month or every week, do more because it'll be a little more free time," says Springfield Police Deputy Chief Cliff Buscher.
As we've reported, the Illinois House did pass a bill this year to allow citizens to record audio of police in public without permission. The bill is currently stalled in the Illinois Senate, but it might be voted on in the fall veto session.
But Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill into law on Tuesday that makes it easier for police to record suspects.
Starting January 1st, police in Illinois will only need approval from a state's attorney if they want to record someone they think could commit a drug crime.
Currently, police need a court order. That slows down the process and officials say makes some officers miss arrests.
But this new law will let them record audio and video, only when they think people are making, using, or dealing drugs.
Police say they'll be able to make more arrests with better evidence, but it won't mean less drug crime.
"It'll remain the same because there's plenty of it out there unfortunately. We're busy all the time. We got a unit that does just that. It'll just make their job easier and they might be able to get a few more cases you know every month or every week, do more because it'll be a little more free time," says Springfield Police Deputy Chief Cliff Buscher.
As we've reported, the Illinois House did pass a bill this year to allow citizens to record audio of police in public without permission. The bill is currently stalled in the Illinois Senate, but it might be voted on in the fall veto session.
