720 ILCS 5/21-2.5 – Electronic Tracking Devices Prohibited
This law says people are not allowed to secretly track where someone goes using an electronic device.
This Illinois law makes it illegal to use a tracking device to follow another person’s location unless that person or vehicle owner gives permission, or it’s done for a legal or official reason.
(a) In this law:
“Electronic tracking device” means any gadget put on a car that sends out signals showing where it is or how it moves.
“State agency” means most parts of the state government, except the courts or the legislature.
“Telematics” means services that use car location technology, such as crash alerts, remote unlocking, and navigation systems.
“Vehicle” means any kind of car or truck as defined in Illinois vehicle laws.
(b) No person or group in Illinois can use an electronic tracking device to find or follow where another person goes.
(c) This rule does not apply in these cases:
- If the car’s owner, renter, or leaseholder agrees to have the tracking device on their vehicle.
- If police or law enforcement officers are using the device legally.
- If a business owns or leases the car and uses tracking to monitor vehicles driven by its employees, partners, or contractors.
- If a state agency uses a tracking device for vehicles driven by its workers or contractors, or if the agency’s Inspector General is doing so for official reasons.
- If the car’s telematics system (like GPS or emergency alert services) was installed by the maker or with the owner’s permission, and the owner subscribes to those services. When the owner agrees, that covers anyone else driving or riding in the car.
(d) Sentence: Breaking this law is a Class A misdemeanor.
Contact us online or call (314) 900-HELP to talk with a Southern Illinois criminal defense lawyer.
