As of March 21, 2025, new provisions under Illinois Public Act 103-1081 introduce changes to police body camera protocols, particularly regarding the privacy and comfort of victims and witnesses.

Currently, the Law Enforcement Officer-Worn Body Camera Act requires officers to turn off their body cameras if requested by a victim or witness of a crime, unless it’s impractical or impossible to do so. This request, whenever possible, must be made on the recording itself, ensuring a documented record of the request and decision to disable the body camera. The new language enacted under the public act amends Section 30 of the Illinois State Police Act (20 ILCS 2610/30). It now requires officers to inform the victim or witness that the in-car video recording will continue recording, and that the video and audio recording from the in-car video system be retained in the same manner as body camera videos.

This change highlights a delicate balance in policing. It prioritizes the emotional well-being and privacy of vulnerable individuals while still providing officers with the tools necessary to investigate potential criminal activity. For police departments, this means reinforcing comprehensive training on these new protocols, ensuring officers are equipped to navigate sensitive interactions both effectively and in full compliance with the law.

For more information about this article, please contact Tressler attorney Jim Hess at jhess@tresslerllp.com.

About the Author

Jim represents various local government entities, primarily focusing on day-to-day operations for cities, villages, fire protection districts, park districts, and library districts. Jim’s practice includes handling intergovernmental agreements, ordinances, contract negotiations, administrative proceedings, demolition issues, employment, Open Meetings Act issues, Freedom of Information Act matters, tort liability defense, and ethics. Jim also handles a variety of land use matters, including Tax Increment Financing districts, redevelopment agreements, annexations, and comprehensive planning. Click here to read Jim’s full attorney bio.