Hoffman Estates committee approves police access to School District U‑46 cameras

The Public Health & Safety Committee on Oct. 27 approved a resolution authorizing the village president to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with School District U‑46 to allow the Hoffman Estates Police Department viewing access to school camera feeds.

Police Chief said the district will provide logins to the village for its camera system so supervisors can view feeds remotely "in the event of any calls for service in the area or at the school." The chief said access will be limited to supervisors to restrict use to investigational or response needs.

Trustee Kinane asked whether the village has similar agreements with other school districts; the chief replied that it does. Trustee Pilafis and others asked whether the camera streams would be integrated into the village's Real Time Information Center; the chief said that remains a goal but the timeline is still "to be determined."

Chairperson Mills called the motion and the committee approved the resolution by voice vote. No roll-call vote or individual tallies were recorded in the transcript; the committee chair stated the ayes carried.

The committee also received and filed routine monthly reports from the police and health and human services departments during the same meeting. The police chief and other staff described the access as a collaborative measure intended to help officers respond to and investigate incidents near schools.