104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB1766
 
Introduced 1/28/2025, by Rep. Christopher "C.D." Davidsmeyer
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
720 ILCS 5/26-8 new
    Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Creates the offense of unlawful publication of criminal activity. Provides that a person commits the offense when he or she knowingly makes a video record or live video of a crime while the crime is being committed and transmits or uploads the video record or live video of the crime to a social media site. Provides that a person who commits unlawful publication of criminal activity shall be sentenced to the same penalty as the penalty for the crime being transmitted or uploaded to a social media site. Provides exceptions. Defines terms.


LRB104 07774 RLC 17819 b

 
 
A BILL FOR
 
HB1766LRB104 07774 RLC 17819 b

1    AN ACT concerning criminal law.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Criminal Code of 2012 is amended by adding 
5Section 26-8 as follows:
 
6    (720 ILCS 5/26-8 new)
7    Sec. 26-8. Publication of photographs or video recordings 
8of crimes being committed prohibited; exceptions.
9    (a) In this Section:
10    "Internet" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 
1116-0.1. 
12    "Live video" and "video record" have the meanings ascribed 
13to them in Section 26-4. 
14    "Social media site" means an Internet website where users 
15are able to share and generate content, and find and connect 
16with other users of common interests.
17    (b) A person commits unlawful publication of criminal 
18activity when he or she knowingly makes a video record or live 
19video of a crime while the crime is being committed and 
20transmits or uploads the video record or live video of the 
21crime to a social media site.
22    (c) This Section does not apply to law enforcement 
23agencies or officers, businesses, or other persons who post 
 
 
HB1766- 2 -LRB104 07774 RLC 17819 b

1the video record or live video for its evidentiary value in a 
2civil or criminal proceeding arising from the posting of the 
3video record or live video of the crime or for seeking 
4identification of the person alleged to be committing the 
5crime in the video record or live video.
6    (d) Sentence. A person who commits unlawful publication of 
7criminal activity shall be sentenced to the same penalty as 
8the penalty for the crime being transmitted or uploaded to a 
9social media site.