Michael Allison, a 41 year old resident of Bridgeport, IL, was recently featured in a Reason Magazine article.  "The War on Cameras" tells that he is currently facing up to 75 years in prison for attempting to record a public court proceeding.  According to Crawford County Circuit Court Judge Kimbara Harrell, Allison violated the Illinois Wiretapping law and her “right to privacy”. 

Allison alleges that this interpretation of the law is nothing but a scare tactic.  He claims that Crawford County officials are using the threat of prison as a way to keep him quiet about Bridgeport corruption.  The real story, as Allison tells it, is that the city, along with local mechanics/tow truck operators, are profiting from “eyesore” ordinances by preying upon people who make a hobby of fixing up old cars.  They confiscate the unregistered vehicles and collect impound fees and fines.  If the owner waits too long, they fraudulently obtain a car title, using a mechanic’s lien, and sell the vehicles.  Allison says that he has witnessed this scheme first-hand, and has filed a lawsuit against the city.

After his lawsuit was determined by a court to have merit, Allison contends that police in his mother’s town of Robinson, where he also spends a lot of time, began harassing him.  Subsequently, Allison began recording all interactions with public officials.  He never suspected that documenting the goings-on might be illegal.  In fact, the day before his arrest, Allison made clear to the Circuit Court Clerk that he would be recording the hearing since his request for a court reporter was denied.  Apparently, they capitalized on his honesty.  Judge Harrell was prepared; as soon as Allison entered her courtroom, she asked him whether he had a recorder.  He informed her that he did, and that it was on.  She proceeded to read from the Illinois Wiretapping law, already open in front of her, and placed him under arrest.