What is the problem or opportunity?
In ‘21, the State passed a law to require all law enforcement agencies to employ the use of officer-worn body cameras. The City is required to implement the use of body cameras for all officers by January 1, 2025. Further, the City is required to adopt a written policy that minimally includes various requirements related to the 1) operation, care and maintenance of the cameras and 2) retention of and access to the camera recordings; the City is also required to provide an annual report to the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. While the camera recordings are generally not subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), there are multiple scenarios in which the City is required to disclose recordings upon request (e.g., requestor is either the subject of the recording or the officer involved or their legal representatives etc.). The estimated annual cost of compliance with the law is $12k; while some grant funding is presently available, the City is required to comply with the law whether or not it receives any grant funding. The estimated annual cost of compliance does not include administrative costs for the processing of camera recordings related to FOIA requests. The estimated time to implement is 12 months or less.
What can be done to address it?
The City could begin implementation now in an effort to be operational by the end of the City’s fiscal year (i.e., April 30, 2024).
The City could begin implementation later in an effort to be operational by the statutory deadline (i.e., January 1, 2025).
Last updated 5.10.23
Footnotes
Highwood City staff estimate
Highwood City staff estimate