Chicago Police Propose New License Plate Reader Rules
The department released a draft policy to regulate how officers use automated license plate reader systems.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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The Chicago Police Department has released an updated draft directive governing the use of automated license plate reader (ALPR) systems, including private networks like Flock. The agency is now accepting public comments on the proposed rules before finalizing the document.
Why it matters
The policy aims to standardize oversight of surveillance technology used to investigate violent crimes, shootings, homicides, and high-risk missing persons cases. It also establishes new privacy protections by restricting data sharing for sensitive investigations.
The draft mandates reducing internal data retention for city-owned systems from 365 days to 30 days. CPD officers previously conducted over 23,000 searches using external systems over a three-month period.
The players
Chicago Police Department
The primary law enforcement agency responsible for policing the city of Chicago and managing local public safety directives.
Brandon Johnson
The Mayor of Chicago who is expected to address the new police directive within the coming weeks.
Flock
A private company that operates automated license plate reader networks used by various law enforcement agencies.
The details
Under the proposed rules, officers must document a case number, offense type, and search reason when utilizing external networks. Each police bureau must also designate a specific member to oversee usage and maintain search audits.
Timeline
October 23, 2026: The public comment period began.
October 24, 2026: The Chicago Police Department released the updated draft directive.
November 12, 2026: The public comment period ends.
Legal Context
The department cites the Illinois Freedom of Information Act to limit transparency regarding past surveillance data. This action reflects ongoing legal tensions between law enforcement investigative secrecy and public right-to-know statutes.
Residents can submit feedback through the department portal before the comment period closes in November. The proposed policy directly impacts local privacy standards by limiting the retention of data and restricting how information is shared with out-of-state agencies.
The takeaway
This draft policy signals a shift toward stricter governance of surveillance tools in city operations. Residents should monitor the upcoming finalized version to see how these data retention changes affect local privacy protections.
What happens next
Mayor Brandon Johnson is expected to address the policy directive within the next two weeks.
Further reading
Learn more about local oversight in the Chicago Law Enforcement section.
More information
Submit your feedback or review the full proposal at the CPD public feedback portal.
Live Poll
Do you trust local police to regulate their use of private license plate surveillance technology?
