No House vote on new eavesdropping rules
SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois House has adjourned without taking up new proposed eavesdropping rules approved by the Senate earlier in the day.
Earlier this year, the Illinois Supreme Court struck down the state's eavesdropping law as unconstitutional, which leaves drafting new rules to lawmakers. The Senate approved the plan 50-6 Friday. It includes guidelines for law enforcement, like requiring authorization through a state's attorney's office to record or listen with the help of a device for investigating certain crimes.
State Sen. Kwame Raoul is a sponsor. He says the rules help prevent the "wild, wild west" of eavesdropping. However, an official with the Illinois Police Benevolent and Protective Association says some rules are too restrictive.
In March, the Illinois Supreme Court said the 1961 Eavesdropping Act violated free speech and due process protections.