7am News, Sports and Obits

Latest WGIL news
Click to play or
Right click and "Save Target As" to download
Click for Galesburg, Illinois Forecast
Home - Cancellations - Community Events - Contact Us - Mornings - News - Obituaries - Pictures - Programs - Special Events Audio - Sports - Weather
Lawmakers Address Teen "Sexting" Problem
Teenagers are taking and sending electronic, naked pictures of themselves in a practice known as "sexting." What they may not realize, however, is they are creating child pornography - a felony offense.

State Representative Darlene Senger (R-Naperville) says the law does not make a distinction between a minor and an adult when it comes to pornography. She says a 16-year old caught sexting could be labeled a sex offender for 10 years. Senger has sponsored legislation to lessen the punishment for people age 17 or younger.

Senger's bill would require supervised educational programs, such as community service, for kids who are caught. The exact punishment would be determined by local police.

State Senator Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) is sponsoring a nearly identical bill. Silverstein says teenagers don't really know what they are doing by sending the photos and how it could haunt them in later years.

Senger's H.B. 4583 passed the House 114-1. Silverstein's S.B. 2513 passed the Senate 54-0. Both say they will sponsor the other's legislation and it does not matter which bill passes.

(Illinois Radio Network)
04 09 10 by Newsroom
News management powered by Xpression News

Click here for the WGIL News Archive

Click here for national news

The following provision applies to all visitors (which shall include persons and representatives of legal entities, whether such representatives are persons or digital engines of a kind that crawls, indexes, scrapes, copies, stores or transmits digital content). By accessing this Web site or digital service, you specifically acknowledge and agree that: (i) Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium; (ii) No Associated Press materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and non-commercial use; (iii) The Associated Press will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing; (iv) The Associated Press is an intended third party beneficiary of these terms and conditions and it may exercise all rights and remedies available to it; and (v) The Associated Press reserves the right to audit possible unauthorized commercial use of AP materials or any portion thereof at any time.