The New York Times ran an article about the use of surveillance cameras in Chicago and the ACLU of Illinois' efforts to foster transparency in the reporting of the city's use of surveillance cameras. Mayor Rahm Emanuel has recently decided to install an additional 1,700 surveillance cameras throughout the CTA, in addition to the 10,000 cameras the ACLU of Illinois had estimated in a report released in February.
Andrew Koppelman, a Northwestern University law professor, said, “It is not to argue that Emanuel is wrong, especially in areas where crimes are likely. But limits are crucial, and the costs of knowing you’re being watched can outweigh the benefits.”
Limits sought by Adam Schwartz, senior lawyer for the A.C.L.U. of Illinois, include disclosing the number of cameras and promulgating rules on when a camera operator can use zoom, facial recognition or automatic tracking capabilities.
