{
 "topic": "FOIA section 7.5(cc) - Law enforcement body-camera recordings",
 "statute": "5 ILCS 140/7.5(cc)",
 "family": "Other statutory exemptions (section 7.5)",
 "page": "https://illinoisfoia.org/issues/foia-7-5-cc/",
 "note": "Determination letters are non-binding. Verify against the source PDF before citing.",
 "counts": {
  "violation_found": 2,
  "no_violation": 15,
  "no_determination": 0,
  "other": 0
 },
 "challenge_notes": {
  "generated_by": "AI summary of the decisions listed on this page; not legal advice; verify each decision against its PDF",
  "when_a_challenge_is_strong": [
   {
    "text": "The body camera recording was flagged (e.g., due to an arrest) and the public body withheld it.",
    "why": "Flagged recordings are not exempt; the Body Camera Act does not prohibit disclosure of flagged recordings.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Police body-camera footage of a traffic stop arrest",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-83308/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The public body redacted the faces of subjects of the encounter.",
    "why": "Section 7.5(cc) does not permit redaction of subjects' faces; only non-subjects not directly involved may be redacted.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Police body-camera footage of a public encounter",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-75330/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "when_the_body_usually_wins": [
   {
    "text": "The requester is not the subject of the encounter and the recording is not flagged.",
    "why": "Body camera recordings are exempt from FOIA unless the requester is the subject or the recording is flagged.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Police body-camera footage of a private-residence incident",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-84296/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Body-camera footage of a police officer on a specific date",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-84528/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "Police body-camera footage of a reported incident",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-83380/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Police body-camera footage of a private meeting between officers",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-83177/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Police body-camera footage of a motor vehicle accident investigation",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-65010/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Police body-camera recordings of a dispatch incident",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-48793/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The recording captures a subject with a reasonable expectation of privacy and the subject did not give written consent.",
    "why": "Disclosure requires the subject's written permission when there is a reasonable expectation of privacy.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Police incident reports, CAD notes, 911 audio, and body-camera footage of an arrest",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-85152/#issue-5"
     },
     {
      "title": "Police body-camera footage of a search warrant execution",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-60599/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The requester is a parent seeking footage of a minor child who was not arrested.",
    "why": "A parent is not a 'subject of the encounter' under the Body Camera Act, and the footage may be exempt under FOIA's privacy exemption.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Police reports and body camera footage of an incident involving a minor",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-85480/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The person in the recording was given a notice to appear but was not arrested or detained.",
    "why": "A person given a notice to appear is not considered arrested or detained for purposes of the Body Camera Act's disclosure provisions.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Police body-camera footage of an encounter with others",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-87818/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "The public body does not possess the requested records.",
    "why": "A public body does not violate FOIA by not disclosing records it does not possess.",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Police body-camera footage and transcripts of a parking-lot interaction",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-91704/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "points_to_put_in_the_letter": [
   {
    "text": "If you are the subject of the encounter, state that clearly and note that the Body Camera Act authorizes disclosure to the subject.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Police body-camera footage and transcripts of a parking-lot interaction",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-91704/#issue-2"
     },
     {
      "title": "Police body-camera footage of a private-residence incident",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-84296/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "If the recording was flagged (e.g., due to an arrest, death, or bodily harm), argue that flagged recordings are not exempt and must be disclosed.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Police body-camera footage of a traffic stop arrest",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-83308/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "If the public body redacted the faces of subjects, point out that section 7.5(cc) does not allow redaction of subjects' faces—only non-subjects not directly involved may be redacted.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Police body-camera footage of a public encounter",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-75330/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "facts_to_gather": [
   "Whether you are the subject of the encounter.",
   "Whether the recording was flagged (e.g., due to an arrest, death, or bodily harm).",
   "Whether the public body redacted faces of subjects or other individuals.",
   "Whether the public body claims it does not possess the records."
  ],
  "common_mistakes": [
   {
    "text": "Arguing that the public interest in disclosure overrides the exemption for body camera recordings.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Police body-camera footage of a reported incident",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-83380/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "Assuming that being a parent automatically makes you a 'subject of the encounter' entitled to the recording.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Police reports and body camera footage of an incident involving a minor",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-85480/#issue-2"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "Treating a notice to appear as equivalent to an arrest for purposes of accessing body camera footage.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Police body-camera footage of an encounter with others",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-87818/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "Requesting records without first confirming that the public body possesses them.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Police body-camera footage and transcripts of a parking-lot interaction",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-91704/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   },
   {
    "text": "Assuming that any non-flagged body camera recording is accessible to any requester.",
    "why": "",
    "decisions": [
     {
      "title": "Police body-camera recordings of a dispatch incident",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-48793/#issue-1"
     },
     {
      "title": "Police body-camera footage of a motor vehicle accident investigation",
      "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-65010/#issue-1"
     }
    ]
   }
  ],
  "caution": "These notes are based on non-binding determination letters; outcomes depend on specific facts and the current law; always verify the full decision PDF."
 },
 "issues": [
  {
   "issue": "Withholding body camera transcripts not possessed",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body does not violate FOIA by not disclosing records it does not possess.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Police body-camera footage and transcripts of a parking-lot interaction",
    "date": "2026-07-21",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-91704/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Workmann v. Illinois State Board of Education, 229 Ill. App. 3d 459, 463-64 (1992)",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/cases/pre1996-136213/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Yeager v. Drug Enforcement Administration, 678 F.2d 315, 321 (D.C. Cir. 1982)",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Withholding body camera recordings under section 7.5(cc)",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Body camera recordings are exempt unless disclosure is authorized under the Body Camera Act, such as to the subject of the encounter or if flagged.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Police body-camera footage and transcripts of a parking-lot interaction",
    "date": "2026-07-21",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-91704/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No 19-001, issued January 9, 2019, at 10",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2018-pac-55193/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 48793, issued August 31, 2017, at 4",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-48793/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 82424, issued September 26, 2024, at 3",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Withholding non-flagged body camera recordings from requester",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Non-flagged body camera recordings are exempt from FOIA disclosure unless the requester is the subject of the encounter, the officer, or their legal representative.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Police body-camera footage of a motor vehicle accident investigation",
    "date": "2020-10-06",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-65010/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 19-001",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2018-pac-55193/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 48793",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-48793/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 57517",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-57517/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Redaction of body camera footage of other subject",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Body camera recordings are exempt from FOIA unless flagged or requested by the subject of the encounter; a person given a notice to appear is not arrested or detained.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Police body-camera footage of an encounter with others",
    "date": "2025-07-29",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-87818/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 48793",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-48793/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 76458",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "1978 Ill. Att'y Gen. Op. S-1395",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Withholding of body camera footage under Body Camera Act and FOIA",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A parent is not a 'subject of the encounter' under the Body Camera Act, and footage of a minor interacting with police about a matter where no arrest occurred is exempt under FOIA's privacy exemption.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Police reports and body camera footage of an incident involving a minor",
    "date": "2025-07-29",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-85480/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 48793, issued August 31, 2017",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-48793/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 63412 63421, issued September 2, 2020",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 74512, issued February 6, 2023",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-74512/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Hayashi v. Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, 2014 IL 116023, ¶ 16",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Brunton v. Kruger, 2015 IL 117663, ¶ 67",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Withholding of body camera footage of other subject",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Body camera footage of a subject with a reasonable expectation of privacy may be disclosed only with that subject's written consent.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Police incident reports, CAD notes, 911 audio, and body-camera footage of an arrest",
    "date": "2025-04-10",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-85152/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Withholding non-subject body camera footage",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Body camera recordings are exempt from FOIA except as authorized by the Body Camera Act, which allows disclosure only to the subject of the encounter.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Body-camera footage of a police officer on a specific date",
    "date": "2025-01-06",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-84528/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No 19-001",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2018-pac-55193/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 48793",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-48793/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Denial of body-worn camera footage to non-subject requester",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Body camera recordings are exempt from FOIA unless flagged or requested by the subject of the encounter; the requester was not the subject.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Police body-camera footage of a private-residence incident",
    "date": "2025-01-15",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-84296/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 48793, issued August 31, 2017",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-48793/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 83729, issued June 26, 2023",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 76600, issued July 10, 2023",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Withholding body camera footage from non-subject requester",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Body camera footage is exempt from FOIA unless a Body Camera Act exception applies, and the public interest in disclosure is irrelevant to this exemption.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Police body-camera footage of a reported incident",
    "date": "2024-10-21",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-83380/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Body camera footage flagged under Body Camera Act",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Body camera recordings flagged due to an arrest are subject to disclosure under FOIA and the Body Camera Act does not prohibit disclosure.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Police body-camera footage of a traffic stop arrest",
    "date": "2025-03-20",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-83308/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Withholding of body camera footage under FOIA",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Body camera recordings are exempt from FOIA disclosure unless an exception in section 10-20(b) of the Body Camera Act applies, such as when the requester is the subject or the recording is flagged and authorized.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Police body-camera footage of a private meeting between officers",
    "date": "2024-10-03",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-83177/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Body camera footage disclosure under Body Camera Act",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Body camera recordings are exempt from FOIA unless disclosure is authorized under the Body Camera Act, which only permits flagged recordings involving death or bodily harm from law enforcement engagement.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Police body and dash camera footage of a traffic accident",
    "date": "2024-03-11",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-79651/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Southern Illinoisan v. Illinois Department of Public Health, 218 Ill. 2d 390, 415 (2006)",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. S-0634, issued September 14, 2021",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Redaction of body camera footage under section 7.5(cc)",
   "outcome": "violation_found",
   "rule": "Section 7.5(cc) does not permit redaction of subjects' faces; only non-subjects not directly involved may be redacted.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Police body-camera footage of a public encounter",
    "date": "2023-10-04",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-75330/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 60599",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-60599/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 42379",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 34486",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 48793",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-48793/"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Redaction of body camera audio under section 7.5(cc)",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Body camera recordings are exempt except as authorized by the Body Camera Act, which permits redaction of persons not the officer, subject, or directly involved.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Body-camera footage and 911 recordings of a YMCA incident",
    "date": "2023-02-06",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-74512/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Body camera footage from private residence denied without written consent",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Body camera recordings of subjects with a reasonable expectation of privacy are exempt unless the agency obtains the subject's written permission.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Police body-camera footage of a search warrant execution",
    "date": "2020-01-10",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-60599/"
   },
   "authorities": []
  },
  {
   "issue": "Disclosure of body camera recordings to requester's client",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "Body camera recordings are exempt from FOIA unless disclosure is authorized under the Body Camera Act; CPD properly withheld recordings because the requester's client was not a subject of the encounter and the recordings were not flagged.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Police body-camera recordings of a traffic crash",
    "date": "2019-08-01",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-57517/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. Pub. Acc. Op. No. 19-001",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/2018-pac-55193/"
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 48793",
     "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-48793/"
    },
    {
     "text": "McFatridge v. Madigan, 2013 IL 113676",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "issue": "Withholding of non-flagged body camera recordings from requester",
   "outcome": "no_violation",
   "rule": "A public body may withhold non-flagged body camera recordings from a requester who is not the subject of the encounter or otherwise authorized under the Body Camera Act.",
   "decision": {
    "title": "Police body-camera recordings of a dispatch incident",
    "date": "2017-08-31",
    "binding": false,
    "url": "https://illinoisfoia.org/opinions/letter-48793/"
   },
   "authorities": [
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 46719",
     "url": null
    },
    {
     "text": "Ill. Att'y Gen. PAC Req. Rev. Ltr. 41069",
     "url": null
    }
   ]
  }
 ]
}