WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 404

CRIMINAL LAW-TECH

104th Regular Session Introduced by Chris Welch

Illinois HB 404 updates criminal statutes to address technology-facilitated offenses, strengthening law enforcement tools while balancing digital privacy concerns.

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 404

Legislative bill overview

HB 404 is an Illinois criminal law bill focused on technology-related provisions, introduced by Rep. Chris Welch. The bill has progressed through committee with a "Do Pass" recommendation but remains in the rules process as of May 2025, with its deadline extended to allow further consideration.

Why is this important

Technology-related criminal law updates are increasingly necessary as digital crimes evolve faster than existing statutes. This bill addresses gaps in how Illinois law treats tech-facilitated offenses, which directly impacts law enforcement capability, defendant rights, and victim protections in cases involving digital tools or platforms.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of tech crimes covered – Unclear which specific offenses (deepfakes, cyberstalking, data theft, unauthorized access) the bill targets, which could affect whether protections are comprehensive or narrowly tailored
  • Liability for platforms vs. individuals – Technology bills often debate whether social media companies, app developers, or only end-users bear criminal responsibility, creating industry vs. public safety tensions
  • Privacy and surveillance implications – Criminal tech laws may authorize new investigative tools that could enable government overreach or warrant expansion beyond original intent

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

Sign in to ask a question.