ACLU of Illinois

Know Your Rights: Freedom of expression in Chicago

If I think police are acting inappropriately, can I tape them to use later?

You can photograph and make silent video of on-duty police acting in public. However, audio recording of police in public currently is a felony. The City has said it will not enforce this law during the NATO summit. The ACLU is now challenging this law in court and has just won a significant victory; the reasoning of the case should apply to others. However, the law remains on the books.

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