(The Center Square) – Cook County officials have introduced legislation banning the release of personal information acquired under county contracts to federal immigration law enforcement.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle made the announcement at a news conference in Chicago on Wednesday.
“The updated legislation prohibits data brokers from selling personal and private information acquired under county contracts and prohibits the release of that information to enforce immigration laws,” Preckwinkle said.
County Commissioner Alma Anaya said she learned during a July 2022 hearing that immigration agents paid more $100 million in taxpayer funds to obtain personal information from data brokers.
“That was four years ago. We can only imagine how much more consumer identities have been purchased now,” Anaya said.
Anaya said the amendment includes a private right of action against companies that violate it.
Commissioner Jessica Vásquez was asked about the county board approving an additional $1 million in taxpayer funding for the Cook County Sheriff’s Office to expand its license plate reading system earlier this year.
“I share so much of the concerns. I was also a no vote on Flock, and I’ve been talking to some of my colleagues at the state to see if we can rectify some of the technology that we voted on,” Vásquez said.
Vásquez said she hoped a resolution on Flock cameras could be introduced next month.
A U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson said in a statement to The Center Square that ICE personnel are expected to comply with DHS and ICE policies governing the use of mobile devices, third-party messaging applications, records management, and the protection of government information.
“ICE policy 4004.1 established requirements for the use of ICE-issued mobile devices. Additionally, in alignment with the ICE Chief Information Officer’s guidance, DHS policy requires employees to use work devices for all work-related activities,” the statement said.
