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 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 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 LRB104 07774 RLC 17819 b A BILL FOR 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 720 ILCS 5/26-8 new 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 LRB104 07774 RLC 17819 b LRB104 07774 RLC 17819 b A BILL FOR HB1766LRB104 07774 RLC 17819 b HB1766 LRB104 07774 RLC 17819 b HB1766 LRB104 07774 RLC 17819 b 1 AN ACT concerning criminal law. 2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 3 represented in the General Assembly: 4 Section 5. The Criminal Code of 2012 is amended by adding 5 Section 26-8 as follows: 6 (720 ILCS 5/26-8 new) 7 Sec. 26-8. Publication of photographs or video recordings 8 of crimes being committed prohibited; exceptions. 9 (a) In this Section: 10 "Internet" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 11 16-0.1. 12 "Live video" and "video record" have the meanings ascribed 13 to them in Section 26-4. 14 "Social media site" means an Internet website where users 15 are able to share and generate content, and find and connect 16 with other users of common interests. 17 (b) A person commits unlawful publication of criminal 18 activity when he or she knowingly makes a video record or live 19 video of a crime while the crime is being committed and 20 transmits or uploads the video record or live video of the 21 crime to a social media site. 22 (c) This Section does not apply to law enforcement 23 agencies or officers, businesses, or other persons who post 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 720 ILCS 5/26-8 new 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 LRB104 07774 RLC 17819 b LRB104 07774 RLC 17819 b A BILL FOR 720 ILCS 5/26-8 new LRB104 07774 RLC 17819 b HB1766 LRB104 07774 RLC 17819 b HB1766- 2 -LRB104 07774 RLC 17819 b HB1766 - 2 - LRB104 07774 RLC 17819 b HB1766 - 2 - LRB104 07774 RLC 17819 b HB1766 - 2 - LRB104 07774 RLC 17819 b