Illinois is a two-party (all-party) consent state under the Eavesdropping Act (720 ILCS 5/14-2). Recording private conversations without consent from all parties is a Class 4 felony. The 2014 amendments narrowed the scope but maintained strict consent requirements for private communications.
The Illinois Eavesdropping Act (720 ILCS 5/14-2) prohibits recording any private conversation without the consent of all parties involved. Following the 2014 amendments (after the Illinois Supreme Court struck down parts of the original law), the statute specifically protects 'private conversations' — those carried on under circumstances reasonably indicating that any party intends the conversation to be private. Recording conversations in public places where there is no expectation of privacy is generally permissible. The law applies to both audio recording devices and electronic surveillance. Law enforcement recordings are subject to separate provisions under the Law Enforcement Officer-Worn Body Camera Act (50 ILCS 706). Violations can result in both criminal prosecution and civil lawsuits for damages.
Class 4 felony: 1-3 years imprisonment, fines up to $25,000. Civil damages of $10,000 or actual damages per violation (whichever is greater) under 720 ILCS 5/14-6.
Arlington Heights, IL
Arlington Heights does not have a dedicated ordinance restricting leaf blower use. Both gas-powered and electric leaf blowers are permitted for residential a...
Arlington Heights, IL
Arlington Heights regulates outdoor music through its general nuisance provisions in Chapter 14. Playing music outdoors — whether live or recorded — that is ...
Arlington Heights, IL
Arlington Heights Municipal Code Chapter 14, Article I regulates noise disturbances. Quiet hours are enforced primarily through the village's general nuisanc...
Arlington Heights, IL
Arlington Heights regulates industrial and commercial noise through its zoning code and nuisance provisions. Industrial operations in or adjacent to resident...
Arlington Heights, IL
Arlington Heights does not establish specific numerical decibel limits for residential noise in its municipal code. Noise regulation relies on a reasonablene...
Arlington Heights, IL
Arlington Heights regulates construction noise in residential areas through its building code and nuisance provisions. Construction, demolition, and renovati...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Cook County.
See how Arlington Heights's recording & consent laws rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.