The Illinois license plate reader law, 625 ILCS 5/2-130 (Public Act 103-540, effective January 1, 2024), defines ALPR systems and information, bars sharing with out-of-state agencies unless they sign a written declaration, and requires ALPR information to be kept confidential. A secondary summary says it sets no statewide retention period, so local policy matters. Confirm the current text.
What the Illinois license plate reader law is
Illinois regulates license plate readers in the Illinois Vehicle Code, section 625 ILCS 5/2-130, with text added by Public Act 103-540, effective January 1, 2024. The section defines an automated license plate reader system and “ALPR information,” limits sharing with out-of-state agencies, and requires that ALPR information be kept confidential to the fullest extent permitted by law.
What it says and what it leaves open
| Topic | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Definitions | The statute defines an ALPR system and ALPR information. Use its definitions when you write a policy. |
| Out-of-state sharing | Sharing with an out-of-state agency is barred unless that agency provides a written declaration that the data will not be used in violation of the statute’s use limits. |
| Confidentiality | ALPR information is to be kept confidential to the fullest extent permitted by law. |
| Retention | A secondary summary says the statute sets no statewide retention period, written-policy requirement or access-log mandate. Some agency policies refer to storage limits; check whether they come from the statute or from local rules. |
| Proposed changes | Bills adding a retention rule have been introduced, including SB 3257 in the 104th General Assembly (introduced February 3, 2026) with a five-year retention provision for law-enforcement detection records. Its later status was not confirmed. |
What agencies should do
- Read the current section on the Illinois General Assembly website and note any changes since 2024.
- Control out-of-state sharing. Require the signed written declaration and make the vendor’s sharing settings enforce it.
- Set your own retention and audit rules. Where the statute is silent, local policy fills the gap, and so do local ordinances.
- Treat the data as confidential in public-records handling and vendor contracts.
- Watch pending bills, which could add retention limits.
Our policy and data-retention guide covers the elements a local policy should include.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Illinois license plate reader law?
625 ILCS 5/2-130 in the Illinois Vehicle Code, added by Public Act 103-540, effective January 1, 2024.
Can Illinois agencies share ALPR data with out-of-state agencies?
Only if the out-of-state agency signs a written declaration affirming it will not use the data in violation of the statute’s limits. Without one, sharing is barred.
Does Illinois set a retention period for ALPR data?
A secondary summary says no statewide period is set in the statute; bills have been introduced to add one. Check the current text and your local policy.
Is ALPR data public in Illinois?
The statute requires ALPR information to be kept confidential to the fullest extent permitted by law. Ask counsel how this interacts with public-records requests.
Where is the statute?
On the Illinois General Assembly website, as 625 ILCS 5/2-130. See the linked source below.