Schools Spy on Kids? Enrollment Surveillance Exposed

Parents in the Chicago area are reportedly under surveillance by school districts aiming to verify student enrollment. Districts have been found using license plate reader (LPR) cameras and hiring private investigators to track families. Tatiana Philips' children were disenrolled from Alsip Hazelgreen Oakúncia Oak Lawn 126 district based on the district's claim she did not reside there, despite evidence to the contrary.

Another mother, Thalia Sanchez, reported her car being tracked to Chicago, which was used to deny her daughter enrollment. While districts state these actions are necessary to ensure only residents attend, NBC 5 Responds found nine of 32 surveyed districts use LPRs, and at least eight use private investigators for residency checks. These practices aim to save districts significant costs associated with ineligible students.