In the month when two suburbs moved to deactivate cameras that read license plates due to privacy concerns, Blue Island officials discussed night whether to approve a contract reauthorizing eight of the city’s 14 license plate cameras.

Blue Island police Chief Jason Slattery told the City Council it has a month to decide. The city entered a contract with Flock Safety, an Atlanta-based company that manufactures the automated cameras, to install eight cameras in 2021. Six cameras were added later, he said.

The city uses the cameras to search footage, to solve crimes after they’ve occurred and to receive real-time alerts of hotlist vehicles to capture wanted suspects, according to the city’s website.

Ald. Bill Fahrenwald raised concerns, referring to the Evanston’s plans to deactivate the cameras and terminate its contract after a state audit found Flock was sharing Illinois data with federal agencies.

Fahrenwald said he supports the cameras, but would like to know where data is shared before signing any document renewing the contract. He requested Slattery provide an answer, in writing, on where information is shared.

“They’re tremendous tools and we want them, but I also want to make sure we’ve locked it up as tightly as we possibly can,” Fahrenwald said.

Slattery said organizations can only use the camera data if they sign a form saying they will abide by Illinois policy that bars sharing footage with federal or out-of-state agencies, among other terms. If this form is violated, then the organization’s access if removed.

Slattery also said police recently removed access from entities outside Illinois, and said data is now only shared with Illinois municipalities.

Fahrenwald’s concern, though, was that another municipality could share the information provided by Blue Island. Slattery said he doesn’t know whether that is possible.

As for the city’s other six cameras, Slattery said they could be combined with the other cameras under one agreement next year.

The City Council also discussed concerns about the cameras June 24, which divided some council members. City Administrator Thomas Wogan reported complaints about potential misuse of Flock cameras and said they should only be used for license plate readers, which should read the license plate, car manufacturer and model.

At that meeting, Ald. Joshua Roll asked the city to establish new data gathering guidelines and use restrictions for the cameras, stressing the importance of legal compliance. Roll said technology advancements make it easier to use the cameras to follow people, and said outside law enforcement agencies should not be able to examine the city’s data.

Fahrenwald and Ald. Gabriel McGee also expressed disappointment with the cameras, and requested restrictions on their use in Blue Island.

Ald. Dexter Johnson said Flock was able to help recover six stolen vehicles in his area and said it has saved lives in Robbins, Posen and Blue Island.

Oak Park also terminated its contract with Flock on Aug. 5.

awright@chicagotribune.com

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/12/blue-island-license-plate-cameras/