Eighteen representatives joined the list of co-sponsors for legislation that would make so-called ‘revenge porn’ illegal in Illinois.
HB 4320 would make it a Class 3 felony in Illinois to disseminate any image of another person “who is engaged in a sexual act or whose intimate parts are exposed” without that person’s permission. The offense would be considered “sexual exploitation” under state law.
It’s called ‘revenge porn’ because the images are often posted by the victim’s former lover.
The measure was passed the state’s House of Representatives after short debate Thursday, March 27, 2014 by a 110 to 2 vote.
That same day, two local representatives were among 18 added as co-sponsors of the bill. Democrats Mike Smiddy , representing the 71st District, and Pat Verschoore, representing the 72nd District were added as co-sponsors to HB 4320.
Republican Representative JoeSosnowski, of Rockford, is a chief co-sponsor of the bill.
The Illinois Senate was also considering a similar measure, SB 2694, introduced in late January 2014.
