99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
HB5794

 

Introduced , by Rep. Christine Winger

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
720 ILCS 5/26-4.7 new

    Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Creates the offense of illegal electronic monitoring. Provides that a person commits the offense when he or she knowingly installs, conceals, or otherwise places an electronic tracking software or spyware on an electronic communication device without the consent of all owners of the device for the purpose of monitoring or following the user or users of the software. Provides that a first violation is a Class 4 felony and a second or subsequent conviction is a Class 3 felony. Provides exceptions.


LRB099 18666 RLC 43048 b

CORRECTIONAL BUDGET AND IMPACT NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB5794LRB099 18666 RLC 43048 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 26-4.7 as follows:
 
6    (720 ILCS 5/26-4.7 new)
7    Sec. 26-4.7. Illegal electronic monitoring.
8    (a) As used in this Section:
9        "Electronic communication device" means an electronic
10    device, including, but not limited to, a wireless
11    telephone, personal digital assistant, or a portable or
12    mobile computer, that is capable of transmitting images or
13    pictures.
14        "Electronic tracking software or spyware" means a
15    computer program that tracks computer activity and is
16    capable of recording and transmitting the information to
17    third parties.
18        "Person" does not include the manufacturer of the
19    electronic software or spyware.
20    (b) Except as provided in subsection (c), a person commits
21illegal electronic monitoring when he or she knowingly
22installs, conceals, or otherwise places an electronic tracking
23software or spyware on an electronic communication device

 

 

HB5794- 2 -LRB099 18666 RLC 43048 b

1without the consent of all owners of the device for the purpose
2of monitoring or following the user or users of the software.
3    (c) It is not a violation of this Section:
4        (1) if the installing, concealing, or placing of
5    electronic tracking software or spyware on an electronic
6    communication device is by, or at the direction of, a peace
7    officer in furtherance of a criminal investigation and is
8    carried out in accordance with applicable State and federal
9    law;
10        (2) if the installing, concealing, or placing of
11    electronic tracking software or spyware on an electronic
12    communication device is by, or at the direction of, a
13    parent or legal guardian who owns the device, and if the
14    device is used solely for the purpose of monitoring the
15    minor child of the parent or legal guardian when the child
16    is the user of the device; or
17        (3) if the electronic tracking software or spyware was
18    installed by the manufacturer of the electronic
19    communication device.
20    (d) Sentence. Illegal electronic monitoring is a Class 4
21felony. A second or subsequent conviction of illegal electronic
22monitoring is a Class 3 felony.