Illinois House OK’s ‘modernizing’ eavesdropping law

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois House has approved a proposal to allow people to audio record police officers and others in public.

The 71-45 vote came after Rep. Elaine Nekritz appeased police concerns that recordings could be manipulated and used against officers in court.

Current state law prohibits public audio recording without the consent of everyone involved. Court action this spring has ruled that unconstitutional. A federal appeals court prohibited enforcement of the Illinois law earlier this month in advance of last weekend’s NATO summit.

Nekritz is a Northbrook Democrat. She says Illinois must “modernize” its law. She says virtually no one would believe that pulling out a cell phone and recording on the street should be a felony crime.

The measure returns to the Senate.