HB5213 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 25178 RLC 34442 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB5213

Introduced 1/31/2022, by Rep. Jaime M. Andrade, Jr.

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

720 ILCS 5/12-6.6 new

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Creates the offense of criminal instigation. Provides that a person commits the offense when the person knowingly: (1) makes a verbal or non-verbal threat of violence against another person; and 2) publishes the threat on a social media website. Provides that criminal instigation is a Class A misdemeanor. Defines "non-verbal threat" and "social media website".

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning criminal law.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Criminal Code of 2012 is amended by adding Section 12-6.6 as follows:

(720 ILCS 5/12-6.6 new)

Sec. 12-6.6. Criminal instigation.

(a) In this Section:

"Non-verbal threat" includes, but is not limited to, brandishing a firearm or other weapon in a threatening manner.

"Social media website" means a service, platform, or site where users communicate with one another and share media, such as pictures, videos, music, and blogs, with other users free of charge or through subscription.

(b) A person commits criminal instigation when the person knowingly:

(1) makes a verbal or non-verbal threat of violence against another person; and

(2) publishes the threat on a social media website.

(c) Sentence. Criminal instigation is a Class A misdemeanor.