Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is stepping up against the abuse of automatic license plate reader data after reports of Texas police illicitly using this technology to trace a woman involved in an abortion case. Giannoulias shed light on the growing concern Thursday morning, revealing his intent to implement preventative measures to check any further misuse, as stated in a news release from his office, ABC7 Chicago reports.

Under the act that took effect in 2024, law enforcement agencies are required to ensure that they do not use license plate data to prosecute individuals based on their immigration status or for seeking abortion care. Yet reports allege that the Mount Prospect Police Department shared such data with Texas law enforcement in pursuit of a woman linked to an abortion-related situation. The case, alongside hundreds of immigration-related data sharing instances, has sparked an official audit to ensure adherence to the new protective legislation, The Chicago Sun-Times details.

"License plate readers can serve as an important tool for law enforcement, but these cameras must be regulated so they aren't abused for surveillance, tracking the data of innocent people or criminalizing lawful behavior," Giannoulias said, as stated by the Chicago Sun-Times . The Mount Prospect incident isn't considered an isolated lapse; concerns grow over the potential statewide breach of the law intended to shield individuals seeking abortions or those with uncertain immigration status from out-of-state legal pursuits.

A report by 404 Media highlighted the situation where Mount Prospect police collaborated with the Johnson County, Texas, sheriff's office. The search, claimed by Sheriff Adam King for the woman's safety following a self-administered abortion, contravened the state's protective legislation, thus prompting Giannoulias’ office to act. As divulged by the Chicago Sun-Times , it wasn't "to block her from leaving the state or whatever to get an abortion," according to King's explanation. Despite these claims, Mount Prospect's actions have precipitated a state-level response that may lead to sanctions, including potential exclusion from state grant funding.