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Audio recording bill finally advances out of House

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* Under current Illinois law, taking this video of a “Black Bloc” surge against a Chicago Police Department line is a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Actually, I could be charged with a felony just for showing it here. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen. The unprovoked surge by the moronic “anarchists” starts at about the 25 second mark

* But, finally, the House has advanced a bill to decriminalize audio recordings of police officers

Months after its initial proposal and just a day after the NATO summit that made the law a national issue, a plan to allow citizens to take video recordings of police officers was approved by the Illinois House.

The proposal would allow citizens to record on-duty police officers in a public place. The House approved it by a 71-45 vote Tuesday, and it will be sent to the Senate for further debate.

* There were a bunch of “No” votes on the big board, though

State Rep. Dena Carli, D-Chicago, opposed the revised bill, saying she fears people may get too close to dangerous situations to get audible sound.

Carli is a police sergeant, by the way.

* Meanwhile, yesterday in the Senate

[The Senate] on Tuesday sent Gov. Pat Quinn a separate eavesdropping measure aimed at helping police record drug deals faster. The legislation would allow law enforcement officials to make audio recordings of drug deals with only the permission of a state’s attorney instead of a judge.

“By that time, the drug dealers are gone,” said Democratic Sen. William Haine, a former Madison County state’s attorney.

Democratic Sen. Tony Munoz, a Chicago police officer, said the measure would better protect undercover police. He dismissed constitutional questions raised in debate, saying the courts can review the law. “But if we can save an officer’s life, I think it’s worth it,” Munoz said.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, May 23, 12 @ 9:55 am

Comments

  1. Is it just me, or are all of “today’s” protests nothing more than a place to be seen?

    Comment by Shemp Wednesday, May 23, 12 @ 9:59 am

  2. Common sense seems to be winning out with the recording bill.

    The photo above and the pictures over the weekend got me thinking about another issue, though.

    If Rep. Phelps conceal-carry bill had passed earlier this year, all those protesters could have legally been packing guns rather than smart phones when they squared off against the coppers.

    Do all the law enforcement groups that backed the bill believe that would have been a good idea?

    Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, May 23, 12 @ 10:08 am

  3. ===all those protesters could have legally been packing guns===

    Only if we allowed out of state idiots with criminal records to carry concealed guns here.

    Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 23, 12 @ 10:22 am

  4. Go read the comments on the youtube video they are classic, it appears I missed the day in school where you were taught the first amendment means you can go protest where ever you want.

    Also it appears that a large part of protesting is now the hope of getting that perfect shot of the man keeping you down.

    Comment by OneMan Wednesday, May 23, 12 @ 10:24 am

  5. ==Go read the comments on the youtube video they are classic, it appears I missed the day in school where you were taught the first amendment means you can go protest where ever you want.==

    Very few people actually understand the 1st Amendment.

    Comment by OurMagician Wednesday, May 23, 12 @ 10:29 am

  6. Nobody else but Rich sees the irony of the cops asking for even more single-party secret recording authority, at the same time they come out against public recording of uniformed police on duty?

    We can’t fix this law soon enough to suit me.

    Comment by irony squad Wednesday, May 23, 12 @ 10:36 am

  7. What’s the point of this drug dealer law? To save the lives of cops or bust drug dealers? Will there be audio quality standards for recording? Will prosecuting attorneys now have to spend thousands of dollars on expert audiophile/audio engineer witnesses at trials to definitively answer who is who or what is what on a tape? Why don’t the cops just get the permission of the drug dealers to record them, you know like I would have to get to record a cop right now?

    Comment by Aaron Wednesday, May 23, 12 @ 11:08 am

  8. Will the law allowing only the DA’s approval pass Constitutional muster as being an unreasonable search?

    Comment by Cincinnatus Wednesday, May 23, 12 @ 11:18 am

  9. “Carli is a police sergeant, by the way.”

    Dena Carli is also an appointed rep not running for reelection that threw a fundraiser for herself. She caught on to this game quickly. Bravo Burkes! Bravo!!!

    Comment by Serve Who? Wednesday, May 23, 12 @ 11:21 am

  10. Rich, if you were prosecuted for that video, I would personally donate to your legal defense. Getting rid of that unconstitutional eaves dropping law is good for IL!

    Comment by AllenSkillicorn Wednesday, May 23, 12 @ 12:09 pm

  11. Unless I’m mistaken, the Crotty bill mentioned in the same news article that eliminates free on-street parking for the disabled will be found in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

    Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, May 23, 12 @ 4:39 pm

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