Judge to review police records on cellphone tracking system

CHICAGO (AP) - A Cook County judge has refused to dismiss a lawsuit filed against the Chicago Police Department over a cellphone tracking system.

The department responded to a Freedom of Information lawsuit last year by disclosing the purchase of cell-site simulators, which can scan cellphones for call logs and text messages. However, the city balked at providing records describing how they're used.

Judge Kathleen Kennedy on Monday rejected most of the police department's arguments asking her to withhold additional records, including search warrants for their use, documents that show when, where, how and why they have been used and policies governing their use.

Kennedy ordered the police department to turn over those documents by Jan. 25. She will review them to decide whether they should be withheld.