Grasse says plate readers carry benefit and risk, backs safeguards
Illinois state representative (D) running for reelection in District 53
“There is great benefit that can come from these. But with that benefit comes great responsibility and risk. That brings in the responsibility part, especially for those who are entrusted with public safety”
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
ABC7 Chicago I-Team report on Flock camera misuse by a Naperville officer and on Illinois law for holding officers accountable.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
ABC7 Chicago reported on a Naperville officer who admitted to investigators that he searched a man on Flock cameras at least 150 times, and on a possible gap in Illinois law for prosecuting such misuse. ABC7 reported that Grasse introduced legislation earlier in 2026 to make sure Illinois municipalities have safeguards around the technology.
After the quotation
ABC7 reported that the bill is in the rules committee and that it is unclear if or when the full legislature may consider it.
How this statement is classified
Case context: Should Flock-style license-plate surveillance networks exist?
The label describes this statement’s response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is whether networked license-plate reader systems such as Flock should exist and be used. Grasse said the readers bring great benefit but also great responsibility and risk, and ABC7 reports she introduced a bill to require municipal safeguards. Keeping the systems with required safeguards is a conditional position.
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- Flock Safety
Should Flock-style license-plate surveillance networks exist?
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