Bill to protect kids from child predators signed into law

        Millner, along with Senator A.J. Wilhelmi (D- Crest Hill), sponsored Senate Bill 697, which creates the new offense of aggravated child pornography and a first-of-its-kind Illinois Cyber-Crime Location Database.

         "It saddens me that there is a need to pass laws like this one, but protecting our children and punishing those who target them is one of the most important things legislators can do," Millner said. "I am proud of the hard work my colleagues and Attorney General Lisa Madigan have put into this bill, and hope it will help protect our most vulnerable children."

        The aggravated child pornography provisions in the bill applies to child pornography where the offender knew, or reasonably should know, the child is or was under the age of 13. The bill levies a Class X felony in these cases, requiring a minimum jail sentence and fine.

        The other component of the bill, The Illinois Cyber-Crime Location Database, will allow the Attorney General to capture, store and use in court an offender's Internet Protocol (IP) address upon conviction for child exploitation offenses.

        IP addresses are connected to the port of entry someone makes when they log onto the Internet. In addition to the address going into the database, offenders must register their IP address in connection with their registration as a sex offender.

        "As these types of crimes grow, we need new tools in the fight to hold offenders accountable. This type of innovation and organization of data will help law enforcement keep better tabs on these offenders and any of their potentially dangerous actions," Millner said.

        The bill was signed into law August 31, 2007. The database portion of the bill goes into effect immediately.