SPRINGFIELD – People seeking reproductive health care are one step closer to privacy protections thanks to legislation spearheaded by State Senator Sara Feigenholtz.

“Illinois will not permit data collection tools like automated license plate readers to be weaponized against people traveling to our state to access reproductive health care services,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “Since the Dobbs decision, Illinois has methodically buttoned down all possible protections for people coming to our state for help."

According to the Illinois Secretary of State’s office, Automated License Plate Reader data – including real-time location – can currently be accessed by out-of-state law enforcement with little to no restrictions. Under Feigenholtz’s measure, ALPR data from Illinois would be prohibited from being shared with another state’s government or law enforcement agencies for the purposes of investigating or enforcing a law regarding a person's reproductive health care, gender-affirming care and treatment, or immigration status.

“This is a step in the right direction to guard against those seeking to punish people for obtaining safe, legal reproductive health care,” said Feigenholtz. “Illinois is one of the most health-accessible and welcoming states in the nation, so we need to make sure that residents and visitors alike are protected and their personal medical decisions are kept private.”

The legislation would require an out-of-state law enforcement agency who seeks to use ALPR data to provide a written declaration that the data will not be used to enforce laws that deny an individual the right to obtain lawful health care or detain a person based on their immigration status.

House Bill 3326 passed the Senate Friday.