SPRINGFIELD – In Illinois, law enforcement officers and prosecutors who charge suspects accused of harassment need updates to the law to reflect today’s use of technology. State Senator Linda Holmes advanced legislation to reflect the realities of how offenses are being committed in present day.

“The means to harass someone continues to magnify from phones to electronic devices, offering platforms on which to send demeaning, frightening messages,” Holmes (D-Aurora) said. “Our intent is to capture harassment that causes emotional distress. Emails, social media, forums and gaming are being used, so our laws must reflect the changed landscape violators use to intensify their attacks.”

Senate Bill 2741 is an initiative of Kane County State's Attorney Jamie Mosser and Detective Rich Wistocki whose organizations see how the nature of harassment has changed with technology. To prosecute offenders who use these tools, the bill would remove the requirement that content must be of a sexual nature. It would lay out how violators would be charged for harassment by telephone and by electronic devices.

Making comments, suggestions or remarks intended to cause significant emotional distress or threats of injury to the recipient or any of their family or household members are violations. It would lay out how violators would be charged for harassment by telephone and by electronic devices. It would lay out how violators would be charged for harassment by telephone and by electronic devices. It would include transmissions intended to interrupt or prevent the target victim from using their phone or electronic devices.

“This abhorrent behavior victimizes children, triggering fear for their own safety, or the safety of their family,” said Holmes. “Insults and slurs create lasting emotional harm and may lead vulnerable young victims to consider ending their own lives. The technology won’t go away, so the consequences for offenders must reflect the intensified harms their devices cause.”

With the Senate’s bipartisan approval, Senate Bill 2741 now heads to the House of Representatives for further consideration.