Police department protests Illinois law on body cameras

The bill will require Illinois drivers to pay an additional $5 fee on traffic tickets in order to help fund equipping police officers across the state with body cameras.

Further, recordings generally will not be subject to the state’s open records law, unless they contain potential evidence in a use-of-force incident, the discharge of a weapon or a death.

Gov. Bruce Rauner signed legislation Wednesday that outlines how police should use body cameras and establishes updates aimed at bias-free policing and improving police training.

Police departments have been considering the use of body cameras for some time, but doing so is expensive and the lack of uniform standards had left departments with legal questions about how and when they should be used.

Supporters call the Illinois measure a model nationwide.

All 13 Johnston City police officers will be required to wear these body cameras once they receive the proper training and follow the department guidelines.

Dozens of states have passed measures in the wake of last year’s fatal shooting of an unarmed black 18-year-old by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri.

“Today we are taking steps to strengthen the relationship between our law enforcement officers and the public they protect with the Police and Community Improvement Act”, Governor Rauner said.

The legislation had bipartisan support and backing from police unions and the American Civil Liberties Union. It also requires all police officer-involved deaths to be independently investigated and bans the use of the chokehold, according to the Tribune.

Rauner signed the bill in a private ceremony in his Springfield office.

Other states to pass reform bills include Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland and California, but Illinois’ law is one of the broadest and most comprehensive, said Rich Williams, policy specialist for the National Conference of State Legislatures.