From Chicago Sun-Times · · 3m
Five Illinois universities use Flock surveillance cameras
Public universities spent over $450,000 on controversial license plate readers despite growing concerns about misuse and wrongful arrests.
In brief
Public universities spent over $450,000 on controversial license plate readers despite growing concerns about misuse and wrongful arrests. Five Illinois public universities continue using Flock's surveillance cameras despite documented cases of police misuse and student pushback. Originally reported by Chicago…
Five Illinois universities use Flock cameras
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, UIC, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Western Illinois University, and University of Illinois Springfield have spent over $450,000 on Flock's surveillance services since 2021.
What Flock cameras actually do
Flock's automatic license plate readers use cameras and AI to capture data about every passing vehicle, including plate numbers, make and model, dents and bumper stickers. The information is logged into a searchable database for campus and outside law enforcement.
Universities say cameras improve safety
College leaders argue the surveillance helps solve crimes and keeps campuses and students safe. They view Flock as a necessary tool for campus security.
Police have used Flock to stalk exes
Flock has faced public scrutiny after revelations that police officers used the company's cameras to track their ex-partners. The misuse raised serious privacy concerns.
Flock data led to wrongful arrests
Data captured by Flock cameras have contributed to wrongful arrests. The technology's errors have real consequences for innocent people.
UIC students petition against Flock
At the University of Illinois Chicago, students have started petitioning their school to stop working with Flock. Student activism is growing against the surveillance technology.
Western Illinois students also oppose Flock
At Western Illinois University, students have similarly begun petitioning their school to discontinue the Flock surveillance program. Student opposition is spreading across campuses.
Cities and colleges cutting ties with Flock
As cities and colleges across the country cut ties with Flock Safety, Illinois universities remain among the holdouts still using the controversial surveillance technology.
UIC has 15 Flock cameras on campus
The University of Illinois Chicago operates 15 Flock cameras across its campus as part of its surveillance infrastructure.
WBEZ investigation uncovered the spending
A WBEZ review of contracts revealed the extent of Illinois universities' spending on Flock and identified which schools were using the technology.
Spending breakdown across five schools
The five Illinois universities have collectively spent more than $450,000 on Flock's services since 2021, according to records reviewed by WBEZ.
Urbana-Champaign uses Flock surveillance
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is one of the five public universities continuing to use Flock cameras for campus surveillance.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale uses Flock
Southern Illinois University Carbondale is among the five Illinois public universities that have invested in Flock's surveillance technology.
University of Illinois Springfield uses Flock
The University of Illinois Springfield is the fifth public university in Illinois continuing to use Flock cameras for campus surveillance.
Only five of twelve public universities use Flock
Out of Illinois' 12 public universities, only five continue to use Flock, suggesting some schools have already abandoned or rejected the technology.
The broader surveillance debate continues
The use of Flock at Illinois universities reflects a larger national debate about surveillance technology, privacy rights, and the balance between security and civil liberties on college campuses.
In short
Five Illinois public universities continue using Flock's surveillance cameras despite documented cases of police misuse and student pushback.
