Security cameras are legal on private residential property in unincorporated Cook County. Illinois is a two-party consent state for audio recording under the Illinois Eavesdropping Act (720 ILCS 5/14-2). Cameras must not be positioned to record in areas where others have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Homeowners in unincorporated Cook County may install security cameras on their own property, including doorbell cameras, Ring cameras, and CCTV systems. Video-only surveillance of your own property and areas visible from your property is legal. However, Illinois has strict eavesdropping laws. The Illinois Eavesdropping Act (720 ILCS 5/14-2) requires all-party consent for recording private conversations. Security cameras with audio recording capability must comply with this law — recording audio of neighbors' conversations without their consent is illegal. Cameras must not be positioned to view into private spaces (bedrooms, bathrooms) of neighboring properties. Posting visible signage indicating video surveillance is recommended to eliminate any expectation of privacy in the monitored area. The 2014 amendments to the Illinois Eavesdropping Act narrowed its scope but maintained the all-party consent requirement for private conversations.
Illegal eavesdropping is a Class 4 felony in Illinois, punishable by 1-3 years imprisonment and fines up to $25,000. Video recording in private areas may also trigger civil liability.
Oak Park, IL
Oak Park's animal control ordinance prohibits dogs from barking excessively to the point of disturbing neighbors. Under Village Code, keeping an animal that ...
Oak Park, IL
Oak Park regulates outdoor music under its general noise ordinance. Residents may play music outdoors during permitted hours but must keep volume at levels t...
Oak Park, IL
Oak Park Village Code Chapter 23 establishes strict noise regulations. Quiet hours run from 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM Sunday through Thursday and 10:00 PM to 8:00 A...
Oak Park, IL
Oak Park prohibits amplified music and sound systems that create unreasonable noise disturbing neighbors, particularly during quiet hours (9 PM–7 AM weekdays...
Oak Park, IL
Oak Park is not located directly under major airport flight paths and does not have its own local airport. The Village does not maintain separate aircraft no...
Oak Park, IL
Oak Park permits leaf blower use during allowed construction and landscaping hours, generally 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Monday through Saturday. Leaf blower use on ...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Cook County.
See how Oak Park's security camera rules rules stack up against other locations.
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