ABC 7, via Associated Press, covered ACLU of Illinois's latest report on racial profiling by Illinois State Police and Chicago Police Department at traffic stops. The report analyzed 2013 data from the Illinois Traffic Stop Study on consent based and "dog sniff" vehicle searches. Motorists have the right to deny police the right to search their vehicles. However, drivers often feel coerced into allowing searches and dog sniffing when asked. The report concluded that Hispanic and African American motorists were 89% and 95% more like than white motorists to have their vehicles searched respectively. Compared to minorities, white motorists were overwhelmingly more likely to have illegal goods found in their vehicles. They were 49% more likely than African Americans and 56% more likely than Hispanic motorists to be found with contraband. The Associated Press interviewed ACLU attorney Adam Schwartz on the issue:
"The 2013 data continues to paint a picture that is troubling and must be addressed," said Adam Schwartz, senior legal counsel for the ACLU of Illinois. "We see that these troubling signs of racial bias have persisted for a decade in many of our larger police agencies without any response - that has to end."
