Stadelman-backed bills to let 'deepfake porn' and 'doxing' victims sue await governor's signature

Victims of “deepfake porn” and “doxing” could sue perpetrators in Illinois under two pieces of legislation co-sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman that are close to becoming law.

Both bills await only the governor's signature, having received unanimous support in the Illinois House and Senate with the last of those votes taking place this week.

The "deepfake porn" bill would add “intentionally digitally altered” sexual images to a 2019  law that allows victims who have had their actual sexual images shared without their consent to file civils lawsuits. Victims of "deepfake porm" would have the same legal recourse as victims of "revenge porn,” so-called to describe a situation in which someone who obtained sexual images consensually later shares them to harm the subject.

If signed by the governor, remedies in the existing law also would expand to permit courts to grant temporary restraining orders and injunctions to stop defendants from publication of the images in question.

The doxing bill would allow victims to pursue civil litigation when their personal information is intentionally published without their consent.

House Bill 2954 requires the person who published the information to have acted with intent to “harm or harass” and with "knowledge or reckless disregard” that their actions could lead to “death, bodily injury or stalking.” The published information also must have caused the victim harm in some way, including economic injury or emotional distress.

"Our laws must evolve to keep pace with techology and life in the internet age," Stadelman said. "These changes help protect victims and deter would-be cyber abusers." 

 

State Senator Steve Stadelman joins collagues Mary Edly-Allen (at podium) and Julie Morrison (far right) for a news conference in the State Capitol this week.
 

Learn how broadband expansion in Illinois could affect you
Voice your opinion on internet connectivity and digital equity next week

You're invited next week to an in-person listening session on broadband expansion in Illinois. Learn about the state’s plan to invest federal funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) and Digital Equity (DE) programs. Ask questions and offer your opinion on Rockford’s needs and priorities with high-speed internet connectivity and access.

With this federal funding, we have a generational opportunity to close the digital divide in Illinois. Local residents know better than anyone what the needs are, where the gaps are and how internet access, computing devices and related skills can impact their day-to-day lives. Visit https://broadband.uillinois.edu/ for more information.
 

 

DCFS wants YOU!
Jobs open in Rockford, Freeport, DeKalb and Woodstock

If you have a degree in social work or a related field and you're in the job market, mark your calendar for June 5 when the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services will doncut an on-the-spot hiriing event in Rockford.

Eligible applicants will leave the event (10 AM-2 PM @ Radisson on Bell School Road) with on-site conditional offers of employment for: Child Protection Specialist, Child Welfare Specialist, Child Protection Trainee or Child Welfare Trainee. Positions require a MSW or BSW or MA or BA in human services, education, criminal justice, criminal justice administration or law enforcement. Jobs are available in DeKalb, Freeport, Rockford, Sterling and Woodstock.

Questions? Email the Office of Employee Services recruiters at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 312-814-1222. CLICK BELOW TO PRE-REGISTER.