License Plate Reader Removal From All Will County Property? County Board Must Take Vote: Destinee Ortiz

(The following press release came from Destinee Ortiz
Will County Board Member, District 9.)

WILL COUNTY, IL — Will County Board Member Destinee Ortiz has submitted a proposed resolution to County Board Speaker Joe VanDuyne and County Board staff requesting placement on the Executive Committee agenda for consideration and action.

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The resolution would prohibit automated license plate reader (ALPR) systems, including Flock cameras, on property owned or controlled by Will County and within County highway rights-of-way. It would also rescind existing County authorizations, require deactivation and removal of affected equipment, and prohibit County funding and procurement for ALPR systems, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and existing agreements.

"Residents have raised serious questions about how these systems are used, who can access the information, and what accountability exists," Ortiz said. "I have put a concrete proposal forward. Now I am asking that it be placed on the agenda so those concerns can receive public consideration and a vote."

The proposal addresses County resources, including appropriations, property, contracts, and highway rights-of-way used by or on behalf of the Will County Sheriff's Office, subject to Illinois law governing independently elected County officers. It does not extend to municipal property or rights-of-way outside County jurisdiction or control.

The resolution would require an initial inventory of affected systems and authorizations within 15 days of adoption, followed by a compliance report within 60 days. Affected equipment would be subject to deactivation and removal within 30 days, or at the earliest date permitted by law or existing agreements.

"This is about whether County property and taxpayer dollars should support a permanent network of automated surveillance," Ortiz said. "The County Board should make that decision openly, with residents' concerns on the record."

The resolution has been submitted; it has not been adopted. Ortiz is requesting that it be placed on the Executive Committee agenda for consideration and action.

Residents can express support for the proposal and request agenda placement through the Will County Board Public Comments Portal:
https://www.willcountyboard.com/public-comments-portal.html