A legislative effort in Illinois to ban the use of facial recognition by state and local police has been halted. The Illinois Biometric Surveillance Act, spearheaded by Rep. Kelly Cassidy, who covers parts of Rogers Park and Edgewater, had gained three additional sponsors. However, the bill lacked sufficient backing, partly due to reports highlighting how the technology aids in solving complex violent crimes.
According to Capitol News Illinois, Cassidy has decided not to advance the bill this session, expressing concerns that discussions following major news events could overshadow the technology’s risks, such as misidentification and increased surveillance.
CWB Chicago initially reported on March 22 about Cassidy’s legislative push and how facial recognition had helped Chicago police solve significant crimes, particularly those on the CTA system, which is monitored by high-quality cameras.
While preparing that report, Chicago police used facial recognition to identify the gunman in the murder of Sheridan Gorman, a Loyola University student, on March 19 at Loyola Beach, located in Cassidy’s district.
In light of this, State Rep. Patrick Sheehan from Homer Glen commented on social media, highlighting the difficult position of explaining to victims’ families why lawmakers would remove a tool that might have identified suspects.
A facial recognition match alone does not lead to charges. It serves as a lead for detectives to identify suspects and build a case, which must then be validated by prosecutors.
Tom Weitzel, retired police chief of Riverside, described facial recognition as a vital investigative tool in recent decades.
Opponents of the bill voiced concerns about wrongful charges due to misidentification, though no such cases in Illinois were cited. The ACLU of Illinois pointed to an incident in Detroit where a man was mistakenly identified and detained, highlighting the potential risks.
An ACLU spokesperson confirmed there were no known instances in Illinois where someone was charged solely based on facial recognition without supporting evidence, citing limited public information on the technology’s use.
During March hearings, Cassidy’s bill faced overwhelming opposition, with 227 people submitting slips against it, compared to just one in favor.
Looking ahead, the future of the bill is uncertain. Capitol News Illinois consulted Matthew Kugler from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, who supports using all available means to solve serious crimes, but cautions against extensive surveillance for minor offenses. He suggests a warrant requirement or due process protections over an outright ban.
Other suggestions include establishing best practices, banning arrests based solely on facial recognition, and ensuring officers are trained and certified. There is also a proposal to delete biometric data within 72 hours if a person is cleared or deemed irrelevant to an investigation.
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