What did Chicago police propose?
Chicago Tribune reported that the Chicago Police Department unveiled a draft policy over the weekend governing how officers use automated license plate reader technology. The draft has not been added to CPD's directives, so it is not in effect.
The draft says video and still images collected by the cameras would be erased after 30 days unless they hold evidentiary value. Public comments on the draft are open until Nov. 12, according to the department.
Who could search the cameras under the draft?
Under the draft, access to query the external cameras would be limited to CPD members who get approval from a bureau chief. Each search request can be traced back to the CPD member who submitted it, and the department would run random audits of submitted searches.
Flock Safety owns and operates many of the external cameras. The city and CPD do not own those devices.
What changes for drivers?
The draft covers external plate readers on busy city streets and along area expressways, plus readers mounted on CPD vehicles, which the city owns. It governs CPD's use, so plate readers run by neighboring towns, the county, the state or private businesses fall outside it.
Because the draft is not implemented, none of its rules apply yet. The draft also points to a 2024 state law that bars sharing information with law enforcement for two purposes: investigating or enforcing laws that restrict reproductive health care, and detaining or investigating someone based on immigration status.
Why are the cameras under scrutiny?
Fox 32 has reported that CPD officers submitted more than 23,000 Flock queries between May and July 2026 under the city's memorandum of understanding with the company.
The Illinois State Police uses more than 800 plate readers. The department says plate readers help investigate violent crimes, shootings, homicides and high-risk missing persons cases, and that it continues to assess how it uses them.
When does the comment period close?
Comments on the draft close Nov. 12. Until then, the draft remains a proposal and not CPD policy. To see where plate readers are mapped in and around Chicago, check the camera map, and for background on how the systems work, read how plate readers work.