A measure that would set standards for body cameras statewide in Illinois is now awaiting the governor's approval.
The Illinois Senate on Saturday sent Gov. Bruce Rauner the bill that would have the state add $5 onto traffic tickets to pay for equipment, expand police training on use of force and create a database to track officers who commit misconduct, according to The Chicago Tribune.
While the bill would not require police departments to use body cameras, it would set guidelines for agencies that choose to use the devices. This includes requiring cameras be turned on while an officer is on duty or turning them off at the request of a victim or witness.
The measure also would require an independent investigation of all officer-involved deaths and would make investigation reports part of the public record if an officer involved in a death is not charged with a crime.
"(This bill provides) tools for accountability for law enforcement because being a law enforcement officer, you're given a lot of responsibility, a lot of authority, and what needs to come with that is accountability," State Senator Kwame Raoul told the newspaper.
The recordings would not be considered public record unless they contained evidence in a use-of-force incident, the discharge of a weapon or a death.
