103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB1455

 

Introduced 2/7/2023, by Sen. Laura M. Murphy

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
5 ILCS 140/7.5
725 ILCS 167/5
725 ILCS 167/15
725 ILCS 167/20
725 ILCS 167/25

    Amends the Freedom from Drone Surveillance Act. Defines "emotionally disturbed person" and "special event". Deletes "data" from the definition of "information". Provides that "information" does not apply to circumstances in which the drone is used over publicly owned property or private property with permission when the purpose is training peace officers, public relations, conducting infrastructure inspections, or other similar non-law enforcement purposes. Permits the use of a drone by a law enforcement agency if the law enforcement agency is assisting an emotionally disturbed person, and is not also undertaking a criminal investigation. Permits the use of a drone by a law enforcement agency at a special event to prepare for or monitor crowd size, density, and movement; assess public safety staffing; or to monitor the safety of the participants. If the special event is occurring on private property, use of a drone for this exception shall be authorized by the owners or organizers prior to flight. Provides that a law enforcement agency may use a drone to respond to Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) dispatched calls for service, when the primary purpose for the response is to locate or assist victims, or both, identify offenders, and to guide emergency response. Provides that information gathered by a drone is subject to the disclosure and exception to disclosure provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. Makes other changes. Amends the Freedom of Information Act to make conforming changes.


LRB103 26022 RLC 52376 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB1455LRB103 26022 RLC 52376 b

1    AN ACT concerning criminal law.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Freedom of Information Act is amended by
5changing Section 7.5 as follows:
 
6    (5 ILCS 140/7.5)
7    Sec. 7.5. Statutory exemptions. To the extent provided for
8by the statutes referenced below, the following shall be
9exempt from inspection and copying:
10        (a) All information determined to be confidential
11    under Section 4002 of the Technology Advancement and
12    Development Act.
13        (b) Library circulation and order records identifying
14    library users with specific materials under the Library
15    Records Confidentiality Act.
16        (c) Applications, related documents, and medical
17    records received by the Experimental Organ Transplantation
18    Procedures Board and any and all documents or other
19    records prepared by the Experimental Organ Transplantation
20    Procedures Board or its staff relating to applications it
21    has received.
22        (d) Information and records held by the Department of
23    Public Health and its authorized representatives relating

 

 

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1    to known or suspected cases of sexually transmissible
2    disease or any information the disclosure of which is
3    restricted under the Illinois Sexually Transmissible
4    Disease Control Act.
5        (e) Information the disclosure of which is exempted
6    under Section 30 of the Radon Industry Licensing Act.
7        (f) Firm performance evaluations under Section 55 of
8    the Architectural, Engineering, and Land Surveying
9    Qualifications Based Selection Act.
10        (g) Information the disclosure of which is restricted
11    and exempted under Section 50 of the Illinois Prepaid
12    Tuition Act.
13        (h) Information the disclosure of which is exempted
14    under the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, and
15    records of any lawfully created State or local inspector
16    general's office that would be exempt if created or
17    obtained by an Executive Inspector General's office under
18    that Act.
19        (i) Information contained in a local emergency energy
20    plan submitted to a municipality in accordance with a
21    local emergency energy plan ordinance that is adopted
22    under Section 11-21.5-5 of the Illinois Municipal Code.
23        (j) Information and data concerning the distribution
24    of surcharge moneys collected and remitted by carriers
25    under the Emergency Telephone System Act.
26        (k) Law enforcement officer identification information

 

 

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1    or driver identification information compiled by a law
2    enforcement agency or the Department of Transportation
3    under Section 11-212 of the Illinois Vehicle Code.
4        (l) Records and information provided to a residential
5    health care facility resident sexual assault and death
6    review team or the Executive Council under the Abuse
7    Prevention Review Team Act.
8        (m) Information provided to the predatory lending
9    database created pursuant to Article 3 of the Residential
10    Real Property Disclosure Act, except to the extent
11    authorized under that Article.
12        (n) Defense budgets and petitions for certification of
13    compensation and expenses for court appointed trial
14    counsel as provided under Sections 10 and 15 of the
15    Capital Crimes Litigation Act. This subsection (n) shall
16    apply until the conclusion of the trial of the case, even
17    if the prosecution chooses not to pursue the death penalty
18    prior to trial or sentencing.
19        (o) Information that is prohibited from being
20    disclosed under Section 4 of the Illinois Health and
21    Hazardous Substances Registry Act.
22        (p) Security portions of system safety program plans,
23    investigation reports, surveys, schedules, lists, data, or
24    information compiled, collected, or prepared by or for the
25    Department of Transportation under Sections 2705-300 and
26    2705-616 of the Department of Transportation Law of the

 

 

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1    Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, the Regional
2    Transportation Authority under Section 2.11 of the
3    Regional Transportation Authority Act, or the St. Clair
4    County Transit District under the Bi-State Transit Safety
5    Act.
6        (q) Information prohibited from being disclosed by the
7    Personnel Record Review Act.
8        (r) Information prohibited from being disclosed by the
9    Illinois School Student Records Act.
10        (s) Information the disclosure of which is restricted
11    under Section 5-108 of the Public Utilities Act.
12        (t) All identified or deidentified health information
13    in the form of health data or medical records contained
14    in, stored in, submitted to, transferred by, or released
15    from the Illinois Health Information Exchange, and
16    identified or deidentified health information in the form
17    of health data and medical records of the Illinois Health
18    Information Exchange in the possession of the Illinois
19    Health Information Exchange Office due to its
20    administration of the Illinois Health Information
21    Exchange. The terms "identified" and "deidentified" shall
22    be given the same meaning as in the Health Insurance
23    Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, Public Law
24    104-191, or any subsequent amendments thereto, and any
25    regulations promulgated thereunder.
26        (u) Records and information provided to an independent

 

 

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1    team of experts under the Developmental Disability and
2    Mental Health Safety Act (also known as Brian's Law).
3        (v) Names and information of people who have applied
4    for or received Firearm Owner's Identification Cards under
5    the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act or applied for
6    or received a concealed carry license under the Firearm
7    Concealed Carry Act, unless otherwise authorized by the
8    Firearm Concealed Carry Act; and databases under the
9    Firearm Concealed Carry Act, records of the Concealed
10    Carry Licensing Review Board under the Firearm Concealed
11    Carry Act, and law enforcement agency objections under the
12    Firearm Concealed Carry Act.
13        (v-5) Records of the Firearm Owner's Identification
14    Card Review Board that are exempted from disclosure under
15    Section 10 of the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act.
16        (w) Personally identifiable information which is
17    exempted from disclosure under subsection (g) of Section
18    19.1 of the Toll Highway Act.
19        (x) Information which is exempted from disclosure
20    under Section 5-1014.3 of the Counties Code or Section
21    8-11-21 of the Illinois Municipal Code.
22        (y) Confidential information under the Adult
23    Protective Services Act and its predecessor enabling
24    statute, the Elder Abuse and Neglect Act, including
25    information about the identity and administrative finding
26    against any caregiver of a verified and substantiated

 

 

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1    decision of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of
2    an eligible adult maintained in the Registry established
3    under Section 7.5 of the Adult Protective Services Act.
4        (z) Records and information provided to a fatality
5    review team or the Illinois Fatality Review Team Advisory
6    Council under Section 15 of the Adult Protective Services
7    Act.
8        (aa) Information which is exempted from disclosure
9    under Section 2.37 of the Wildlife Code.
10        (bb) Information which is or was prohibited from
11    disclosure by the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.
12        (cc) Recordings made under the Law Enforcement
13    Officer-Worn Body Camera Act, except to the extent
14    authorized under that Act.
15        (dd) Information that is prohibited from being
16    disclosed under Section 45 of the Condominium and Common
17    Interest Community Ombudsperson Act.
18        (ee) Information that is exempted from disclosure
19    under Section 30.1 of the Pharmacy Practice Act.
20        (ff) Information that is exempted from disclosure
21    under the Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act.
22        (gg) Information that is prohibited from being
23    disclosed under Section 7-603.5 of the Illinois Vehicle
24    Code.
25        (hh) Records that are exempt from disclosure under
26    Section 1A-16.7 of the Election Code.

 

 

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1        (ii) Information which is exempted from disclosure
2    under Section 2505-800 of the Department of Revenue Law of
3    the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.
4        (jj) Information and reports that are required to be
5    submitted to the Department of Labor by registering day
6    and temporary labor service agencies but are exempt from
7    disclosure under subsection (a-1) of Section 45 of the Day
8    and Temporary Labor Services Act.
9        (kk) Information prohibited from disclosure under the
10    Seizure and Forfeiture Reporting Act.
11        (ll) Information the disclosure of which is restricted
12    and exempted under Section 5-30.8 of the Illinois Public
13    Aid Code.
14        (mm) Records that are exempt from disclosure under
15    Section 4.2 of the Crime Victims Compensation Act.
16        (nn) Information that is exempt from disclosure under
17    Section 70 of the Higher Education Student Assistance Act.
18        (oo) Communications, notes, records, and reports
19    arising out of a peer support counseling session
20    prohibited from disclosure under the First Responders
21    Suicide Prevention Act.
22        (pp) Names and all identifying information relating to
23    an employee of an emergency services provider or law
24    enforcement agency under the First Responders Suicide
25    Prevention Act.
26        (qq) Information and records held by the Department of

 

 

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1    Public Health and its authorized representatives collected
2    under the Reproductive Health Act.
3        (rr) Information that is exempt from disclosure under
4    the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.
5        (ss) Data reported by an employer to the Department of
6    Human Rights pursuant to Section 2-108 of the Illinois
7    Human Rights Act.
8        (tt) Recordings made under the Children's Advocacy
9    Center Act, except to the extent authorized under that
10    Act.
11        (uu) Information that is exempt from disclosure under
12    Section 50 of the Sexual Assault Evidence Submission Act.
13        (vv) Information that is exempt from disclosure under
14    subsections (f) and (j) of Section 5-36 of the Illinois
15    Public Aid Code.
16        (ww) Information that is exempt from disclosure under
17    Section 16.8 of the State Treasurer Act.
18        (xx) Information that is exempt from disclosure or
19    information that shall not be made public under the
20    Illinois Insurance Code.
21        (yy) Information prohibited from being disclosed under
22    the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act.
23        (zz) Information prohibited from being disclosed under
24    the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act.
25        (aaa) Information prohibited from being disclosed
26    under Section 1-167 of the Illinois Pension Code.

 

 

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1        (bbb) Information that is prohibited from disclosure
2    by the Illinois Police Training Act and the Illinois State
3    Police Act.
4        (ccc) Records exempt from disclosure under Section
5    2605-304 of the Illinois State Police Law of the Civil
6    Administrative Code of Illinois.
7        (ddd) Information prohibited from being disclosed
8    under Section 35 of the Address Confidentiality for
9    Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Human
10    Trafficking, or Stalking Act.
11        (eee) Information prohibited from being disclosed
12    under subsection (b) of Section 75 of the Domestic
13    Violence Fatality Review Act.
14        (fff) Images from cameras under the Expressway Camera
15    Act. This subsection (fff) is inoperative on and after
16    July 1, 2023.
17        (ggg) Information prohibited from disclosure under
18    paragraph (3) of subsection (a) of Section 14 of the Nurse
19    Agency Licensing Act.
20        (hhh) Information submitted to the Department of State
21    Police in an affidavit or application for an assault
22    weapon endorsement, assault weapon attachment endorsement,
23    .50 caliber rifle endorsement, or .50 caliber cartridge
24    endorsement under the Firearm Owners Identification Card
25    Act.
26        (iii) Information that is prohibited from disclosure

 

 

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1    under the Freedom from Drone Surveillance Act.
2(Source: P.A. 101-13, eff. 6-12-19; 101-27, eff. 6-25-19;
3101-81, eff. 7-12-19; 101-221, eff. 1-1-20; 101-236, eff.
41-1-20; 101-375, eff. 8-16-19; 101-377, eff. 8-16-19; 101-452,
5eff. 1-1-20; 101-466, eff. 1-1-20; 101-600, eff. 12-6-19;
6101-620, eff 12-20-19; 101-649, eff. 7-7-20; 101-652, eff.
71-1-22; 101-656, eff. 3-23-21; 102-36, eff. 6-25-21; 102-237,
8eff. 1-1-22; 102-292, eff. 1-1-22; 102-520, eff. 8-20-21;
9102-559, eff. 8-20-21; 102-813, eff. 5-13-22; 102-946, eff.
107-1-22; 102-1042, eff. 6-3-22; 102-1116, eff. 1-10-23.)
 
11    Section 10. The Freedom from Drone Surveillance Act is
12amended by changing Sections 5, 15, 20, and 25 as follows:
 
13    (725 ILCS 167/5)
14    Sec. 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:
15    "Authority" means the Illinois Criminal Justice
16Information Authority.
17    "Drone" means any aerial vehicle that does not carry a
18human operator.
19    "Emotionally disturbed person" means a person who appears
20to be mentally ill or temporarily deranged and is conducting
21himself or herself in a manner which a peace officer
22reasonably believes is likely to result in serious injury to
23himself, herself, or others.
24    "Information" means any evidence, images, sounds, data, or

 

 

SB1455- 11 -LRB103 26022 RLC 52376 b

1other information gathered by a drone. "Information" does not
2apply to circumstances in which the drone is used over
3publicly owned property or private property with permission
4when the purpose is training peace officers, public relations,
5conducting infrastructure inspections, or other similar
6non-law enforcement purposes.
7    "Law enforcement agency" means any agency of this State or
8a political subdivision of this State which is vested by law
9with the duty to maintain public order and to enforce criminal
10laws.
11    "Special event" means a non-routine activity within a
12community that brings together a large number of people.
13(Source: P.A. 98-569, eff. 1-1-14.)
 
14    (725 ILCS 167/15)
15    Sec. 15. Exceptions. This Act does not prohibit the use of
16a drone by a law enforcement agency:
17        (1) To counter a high risk of a terrorist attack by a
18    specific individual or organization if the United States
19    Secretary of Homeland Security determines that credible
20    intelligence indicates that there is that risk.
21        (2) If a law enforcement agency first obtains a search
22    warrant based on probable cause issued under Section 108-3
23    of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. The warrant
24    must be limited to a period of 45 days, renewable by the
25    judge upon a showing of good cause for subsequent periods

 

 

SB1455- 12 -LRB103 26022 RLC 52376 b

1    of 45 days.
2        (3) If a law enforcement agency possesses reasonable
3    suspicion that, under particular circumstances, swift
4    action is needed to prevent imminent harm to life, or to
5    forestall the imminent escape of a suspect or the
6    destruction of evidence. The use of a drone under this
7    paragraph (3) is limited to a period of 48 hours. Within 24
8    hours of the initiation of the use of a drone under this
9    paragraph (3), the chief executive officer of the law
10    enforcement agency must report in writing the use of a
11    drone to the local State's Attorney.
12        (4) If a law enforcement agency is attempting to
13    locate a missing person or assisting an emotionally
14    disturbed person, and is not also undertaking a criminal
15    investigation.
16        (5) If a law enforcement agency is using a drone
17    solely for crime scene and traffic crash scene
18    photography. Crime scene and traffic crash photography
19    must be conducted in a geographically confined and
20    time-limited manner to document specific occurrences. The
21    use of a drone under this paragraph (5) on private
22    property requires either a search warrant based on
23    probable cause under Section 108-3 of the Code of Criminal
24    Procedure of 1963 or lawful consent to search. The use of a
25    drone under this paragraph (5) on lands, highways,
26    roadways, or areas belonging to this State or political

 

 

SB1455- 13 -LRB103 26022 RLC 52376 b

1    subdivisions of this State does not require a search
2    warrant or consent to search. Any law enforcement agency
3    operating a drone under this paragraph (5) shall make
4    every reasonable attempt to only photograph the crime
5    scene or traffic crash scene and avoid other areas.
6        (6) If a law enforcement agency is using a drone
7    during a disaster or public health emergency, as defined
8    by Section 4 of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency
9    Act. The use of a drone under this paragraph (6) does not
10    require an official declaration of a disaster or public
11    health emergency prior to use. A law enforcement agency
12    may use a drone under this paragraph (6) to obtain
13    information necessary for the determination of whether or
14    not a disaster or public health emergency should be
15    declared, to monitor weather or emergency conditions, to
16    survey damage, or to otherwise coordinate response and
17    recovery efforts. The use of a drone under this paragraph
18    (6) is permissible during the disaster or public health
19    emergency and during subsequent response and recovery
20    efforts.
21        (7) If a law enforcement agency is using a drone at a
22    special event to:
23            (A) prepare for or monitor crowd size, density,
24        and movement;
25            (B) assess public safety staffing; or
26            (C) monitor the safety of the participants.

 

 

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1        If the special event is occurring on private property,
2    use of a drone for this exception shall be authorized by
3    the owners or organizers prior to flight.
4        (8) If a law enforcement agency is using a drone to
5    respond to Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) dispatched
6    calls for service, when the primary purpose for the
7    response is to locate or assist victims, or both, identify
8    offenders, and to guide emergency response.
9(Source: P.A. 98-569, eff. 1-1-14; 98-831, eff. 1-1-15.)
 
10    (725 ILCS 167/20)
11    Sec. 20. Information retention. If a law enforcement
12agency uses a drone under Section 15 of this Act, the agency
13within 30 days shall destroy all information gathered by the
14drone, except that the a supervisor at that agency may retain
15particular information if:
16        (1) there is reasonable suspicion that the information
17    contains evidence of criminal activity; , or
18        (2) the information is relevant to an ongoing
19    investigation or pending criminal trial; .
20        (3) the information is required to be retained to
21    comply with the Local Records Commission retention
22    schedules;
23        (4) a supervisor at the agency deems that the
24    information will be used exclusively for training
25    purposes.

 

 

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1    If a law enforcement agency uses a drone under Section 15
2at any demonstration, protest, rally, march, parade, or other
3gathering for the purpose of expressing political, religious,
4social, or other views, the law enforcement agency shall
5destroy all information gathered by the drone within 7 days,
6except that the agency may retain the particular information
7if:
8        (1) there is reasonable suspicion that the information
9    contains evidence of criminal activity; or
10        (2) the information is relevant to an ongoing
11    investigation or pending criminal trial.
12(Source: P.A. 98-569, eff. 1-1-14.)
 
13    (725 ILCS 167/25)
14    Sec. 25. Information disclosure. Information gathered by
15a drone is subject to the Freedom of Information Act. If a law
16enforcement agency uses a drone under Section 15 of this Act,
17the agency shall not disclose any information gathered by the
18drone, except that a supervisor of that agency may disclose
19particular information to another government agency, if (1)
20there is reasonable suspicion that the information contains
21evidence of criminal activity, or (2) the information is
22relevant to an ongoing investigation or pending criminal
23trial.
24(Source: P.A. 98-569, eff. 1-1-14.)