Two recent Illinois Supreme Court decisions have put nails in the coffin of Illinois’ controversial Eavesdropping statute.
Under the law, a person is guilty of eavesdropping when he or she “knowingly and intentionally uses an eavesdropping device for the purpose of hearing or recording all or any part of any conversation or intercepts, retains, or transcribes electronic communication unless he does so (A) with the consent of all of the parties to such conversation or electronic communication.” 720 ILCS 5/14 2(a)(1)(A).
Prior well-publicized cases have involved individuals recording their encounters with police. A jury acquitted one such defendant and a judge deemed the statute unconstitutional in another defendant’s case. In 2012, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals held the law unconstitutional.
Now, the Illinois State Supreme Court has agreed in both Kane and Cook County cases. In People v DeForest Clark, a Kane County defendant recorded conversations involving himself, his ex-wife’s attorney and a judge. The Clark court stated that the law was overbroad, and in a world of smart phones, went too far to protect an individual’s privacy in their communications.
In the Cook County case, the defendant recorded conversations with a court reporter regarding a court transcript’s accuracy. Defendant posted the conversations on her website. (See People v Melongo.) The court held that the eavesdropping statute substantially burdens more speech than necessary to serve the government’s legitimate interest in protecting privacy. In other words, enforcing the statute too often criminalizes otherwise innocent conduct.
If you have questions about this or another related criminal or traffic matter, please contact Matt Keenan at 847-568-0160 or email matt@mattkeenanlaw.com.
(Besides Skokie, Matt Keenan also serves the communities of Arlington Heights, Chicago, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Evanston, Glenview, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Rolling Meadows, Wilmette and Winnetka.)
