Earlier today, State Senator Michael Hastings introduced a measure (Senate Bill 2694) that would target "revenge porn," a term used to refer to the instance in which someone posts an intimate photo or video of another person on a website without that person's consent. Senator Hastings bill, if approved, would create a Class 4 felony, punishable by up to 3 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.
The following statement can be ascribed to Edwin C. Yohnka on behalf of the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois:
We recognize that embarrassment, shame and damage to one's reputation can result from the non-consensual publication of intimate photos and videos. While this measure seeks to criminalize this conduct, Illinois civil law already provides a remedy, including the removal of the offending image. The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois hopes that legislators will examine these civil remedies before adopting criminal penalties.
