Illinois Senate Bill SB0312

Illinois 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/2/23
• Refer: 2/2/23
• Refer: 2/7/23
• Refer: 3/31/23
• Refer: 3/15/24

Caption

TOLL HWY-PERSONAL INFORMATION

Impact

The legislation introduces stricter guidelines for how the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority manages and stores PII. It stipulates that the Authority must discard any PII that is no longer required for account maintenance or enforcement within five years after account closure. This purging of data helps to enhance the privacy of users by ensuring that personal information is not retained indefinitely, reducing the risk of unauthorized access or breaches.

Summary

SB0312 amends the Toll Highway Act in Illinois, primarily focusing on privacy issues related to the release of personally identifiable information (PII) by the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority. The bill allows the Authority to share PII in specific circumstances, including releasing such information in response to a subpoena or lawful order by a civil court. Notably, it clarifies that the Authority may release PII to a grand jury under exigent circumstances where obtaining a warrant is impractical. This change signifies a shift in how personal data may be accessed during legal proceedings.

Contention

One of the main points of contention surrounding SB0312 involves the balance between privacy and law enforcement needs. Proponents argue that the ability to quickly share necessary personal information during criminal investigations is crucial for public safety and efficient governmental operations. Critics, however, may express concerns that the broader definitions of exigent circumstances could lead to potential abuses of power, where personal data may be accessed without sufficient oversight. The bill also includes a mandate for notifying users about subpoenas, a provision that some may see as insufficient in protecting individual privacy rights.