GPS/ Vehicle Tracking
GPS tracking is a fantastic cost effective tool in some situations to determine the movements of subject on an investigation. Conventional mobile surveillance of a vehicle is time and labor intensive. However, here in the State of Illinois there are restrictions to its use. The experts at Due Process Investigations Chicago have experience with GPS tracker use and can assist in using this great technology to maximum advantage.
The GPS unit is housed in a small black Pelican type case with a large magnet attached. The officer or investigator (or even the general public) would simply approach the vehicle and place the magnetic device to a flat metal surface on the underside of the vehicle.
The GPS provides information almost instantaneously (every 5 seconds) to a remote server. Anyone with access to this server could determine the dates and times the vehicle moved; how fast the vehicle traveled; and even provide a ghost line (a line on a map showing the route a vehicle took). If someone wanted to know where a vehicle was at 1:30 a.m. last Tuesday, the GPS would place a dot on the map within 10 yards of the actual location.
Q: Is it legal to use GPS tracking devices in the State of Illinois?
A: As a part of over 200 new laws enacted (or amendments to existing laws) the Jan. 1, 2014, 625 ILCS 5/11-1435 amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. It provides that a person or entity may not use an electronic tracking device to determine the location or movement of a person.
The following are the only exemptions to the new provision: (1) situations where the registered owner, lessor or lessee of a vehicle has consented to the use of the electronic tracking device; and, (2) the lawful use of an electronic tracking device by a law enforcement agency.
According to HB1199, if someone were to violate the new provisions, it would be deemed a Class A misdemeanor.
This new law indirectly addresses the general public and private investigators’ ability to utilize GPS devices on the vehicles of the general public. In short, you may only place a GPS on your own vehicle. A vehicle you have registered in your own name.
In infidelity cases often installing tracking devices might be allowed because the registered owner of the vehicle is the client. If you own the vehicle we can install a GPS Tracking Device. Proof of registration and ownership is required.