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HB 339

CRIMINAL LAW-TECH

104th Regular Session Introduced by Chris Welch

Illinois bill modernizing criminal statutes for technology-related offenses; passed committee but awaits final legislative action.

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 339

Legislative bill overview

HB 339 is an Illinois criminal law bill focused on technology-related offenses, introduced by Rep. Chris Welch. The bill has progressed through committee review with a "Do Pass" recommendation but remains pending final passage as of the most recent rule referral in May 2025.

Why is this important

Technology-related criminal statutes are increasingly important as digital crimes evolve faster than existing legal frameworks. This bill appears designed to modernize Illinois criminal code to address contemporary tech-enabled offenses, which could affect how the state prosecutes crimes like cyberstalking, identity theft, hacking, or other digital misconduct.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of criminalization: Without seeing the specific language, tech bills often create debate over whether they criminalize legitimate cybersecurity research, privacy protection measures, or free speech
  • Definitional clarity: Technology statutes frequently face criticism if terms like "unauthorized access" or "computer system" are too vague, creating enforcement inconsistencies
  • Proportionality of penalties: Determining appropriate criminal penalties for tech offenses versus traditional crimes generates ongoing legislative disagreement

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

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