Bill Text: IL HB1766 | 2025-2026 | 104th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: 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.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2025-01-28 - Referred to Rules Committee [HB1766 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2025-HB1766-Introduced.html

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104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 HB1766 Introduced , 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
HB1766 LRB104 07774 RLC 17819 b
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 26-8 as follows:
(720 ILCS 5/26-8 new)
Sec. 26-8. Publication of photographs or video recordings
of crimes being committed prohibited; exceptions.
(a) In this Section:
"Internet" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
16-0.1.
"Live video" and "video record" have the meanings ascribed
to them in Section 26-4.
"Social media site" means an Internet website where users
are able to share and generate content, and find and connect
with other users of common interests.
(b) A person commits unlawful publication of criminal
activity 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.
(c) This Section does not apply to law enforcement
agencies or officers, businesses, or other persons who post

HB1766 - 2 - LRB104 07774 RLC 17819 b
the video record or live video for its evidentiary value in a
civil or criminal proceeding arising from the posting of the
video record or live video of the crime or for seeking
identification of the person alleged to be committing the
crime in the video record or live video.
(d) Sentence. 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.