Sun-Times: Flock Safety Gave Campaign Money to Illinois Officials Whose Agencies Use Its Plate Readers, About $485,000 to Candidates Since Early 2024

A Chicago Sun-Times Watchdogs report, citing Illinois State Board of Elections records, says license-plate-reader maker Flock Safety has given $6,000 since 2021 to the campaign of Cicero Town President Larry Dominick, whose town has 31 Flock cameras, and $1,000 in 2025 to the campaign fund of Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg, whose county authorized 15 Flock cameras in 2024. A Will County sheriff candidate accepted $500 from Flock in 2024.

Flock appears to have hired the lobbying firm Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies in early 2024. Since then, the company has given around $485,000 to state and local candidates and political causes, according to elections board records. Idleburg said contributions “have no bearing” on his official decisions. Flock didn’t respond to requests for comment.