W E D N E S D A Y
Vol. 46, No. 5
1980 - 2025
$2.00 @wednesdayjournalinc
J URNAL WJ45
July 30, 2025
@wednesdayjournal
@oakpark
of Oak Park and River Forest
With immigration concerns, Flock’s future in Oak Park debated
Two trustees tell police chief they want Flock cameras ‘turned off ’ By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter
Several Oak Park trustees weighed in on the village’s participation in a nationwide license plate reader network, saying they want the village’s cameras turned off. Trustees Brian Straw and Jenna Leving-Jacobson both told Oak Park Chief Shatonya Johnson that they want the police department to shut off the village’s license plate readers, which are run through a contract with the Flock Safety corporation. The trustees’ comments came during a discussion of the department’s annual report, which touched on how the cameras have been used in Oak Park over the last year. Straw and Leving-Jacobson both cited concerns over how the data collected in Oak Park could be used to aid immigration enforcement investigations in violation of the village’s sanctuary city ordinance and Illinois state law, as well as their distrust of Flock Safety as a company. Leving-Jacobson said an actual vote on the Flock contract could come as early as Aug. 5. In a memo from Johnson to the village manager, department heads and the village board, she acknowledged the department’s Flock data had been See FLOCK CAMERAS on page 7
Summer’s backyard bounty Page 16
With West Sub in trouble, Rep. Ford wants accountability, communication West Sub sought a $10M state loan but was rejected By DAN HALEY and BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Editor and Reporter
With the uncertain future of West Suburban Medical Center, a West Side-based committee has formed. They aim to open communications between the Austin and Oak Park communities and the owners of the hospital, and to hold those owners, Resilience Healthcare, accountable to its neighbors. State Rep. La Shawn Ford helped organize the nascent group, which so far has met once and consists of four West Sub representatives and two community members. A second meeting, which was scheduled for Monday, July 28, was cancelled when one of the West Sub members was unable to attend. It is to be rescheduled. COURTESY OF WWW.FLOCKSAFETY.COM
See WEST SUB on page 14
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