Illinois Bill to Ban Police Use of Facial Recognition Faces Pushback

Supporters struggle to find local examples of misuse, while critics warn it would hamper investigations of violent crimes.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 5:38am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A bill sponsored by Illinois State Rep. Kelly Cassidy to prohibit law enforcement agencies from using facial recognition technology has gained two new co-sponsors, but faces strong opposition from law enforcement who argue it would strip them of a critical investigative tool. While the ACLU supports the legislation, they have acknowledged they cannot point to specific examples of the technology being misused in Illinois.

Why it matters

The debate over this bill highlights the tension between privacy concerns and the potential benefits of facial recognition in fighting crime. Proponents argue the technology is prone to bias and errors, while opponents say it has proven effective at identifying suspects in serious cases. The outcome could set an important precedent for how Illinois regulates emerging surveillance technologies.

The details

Rep. Cassidy's bill would ban Illinois police from accessing facial recognition databases, including one maintained by the Secretary of State. Law enforcement officials argue the technology has been crucial in solving murders, rapes, robberies and other violent crimes. However, the ACLU and other supporters of the bill say they cannot point to specific examples of misuse in Illinois, only anecdotal cases from other states. The bill failed to advance out of committee, but has gained two new co-sponsors, Reps. Kevin Olickal and Lilian Jiménez, both from Chicago.

  • The bill was introduced in the Illinois House in early 2026.
  • The bill failed to advance out of the Illinois House Judiciary – Civil Committee before the legislature adjourned in late March 2026.
  • The bill was then sent back to the Rules Committee.

The players

Kelly Cassidy

Illinois State Representative and sponsor of the bill to ban police use of facial recognition technology.

Kevin Olickal

Illinois State Representative and new co-sponsor of the facial recognition ban bill.

Lilian Jiménez

Illinois State Representative and new co-sponsor of the facial recognition ban bill.

Tom Weitzel

Retired Chief of Police in suburban Riverside, who argues that facial recognition is a critical investigative tool for law enforcement.

Ed Yohnika

Spokesperson for the ACLU of Illinois, which supports the legislation to ban police use of facial recognition.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Facial recognition is one of the most important investigative tools to come along in policing in 50 years. Eliminating it outright is reckless and dangerous.”

— Tom Weitzel, Retired Police Chief

“Yes. It would end the use of that one tool. Enhancing public safety is a complex issue that requires a serious discussion exploring a range of different approaches. The fallacy here is the suggestion that biometrics is a panacea that will address all public safety concerns. That is simply not true.”

— Ed Yohnika, ACLU of Illinois Spokesperson

What’s next

The bill has been sent back to the Illinois House Rules Committee, where it could be considered again in the future legislative session.

The takeaway

This debate highlights the ongoing tension between privacy concerns and the potential crime-fighting benefits of facial recognition technology. While the ACLU and other supporters argue the technology is prone to bias and errors, law enforcement officials contend it has been a valuable investigative tool, even if they cannot point to specific cases of misuse in Illinois.