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HB 400

CRIMINAL LAW-TECH

104th Regular Session Introduced by Chris Welch

Illinois HB 400 advances criminal penalties for technology-related offenses through committee, clarifying digital crime statutes amid procedural review delays.

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Bill Summary · HB 400

Legislative bill overview

HB 400 is an Illinois criminal law bill focused on technology-related offenses, introduced by Representative Chris Welch. The bill has advanced through committee with a favorable "Do Pass" recommendation but remains in the rules committee process as of late May 2025, indicating ongoing procedural review before potential floor consideration.

Why is this important

Technology-related criminal statutes are increasingly critical as digital crimes evolve faster than existing legal frameworks. Illinois's approach to criminalizing tech-enabled offenses could serve as a model for other states and affect how prosecutors, law enforcement, and technology companies address emerging threats like cybercrime, digital harassment, or data theft.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope and definitions: Technology law must carefully define prohibited conduct to avoid overly broad criminalization that could chill legitimate digital activity or innovation
  • Enforcement capacity: Law enforcement agencies may lack specialized training and resources to investigate and prosecute technology-specific crimes effectively
  • Constitutional concerns: Vague statutes or those targeting speech/expression could face First Amendment challenges depending on specific language in the bill

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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