Illinois legislation · 104th General Assembly
Illinois SB4038: UNAUTHORIZE VIDEO-PHOTO-COURT
Status: Signed into law, July 31, 2026
Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Modifies the offense of unauthorized video recording and live video transmission to also include unauthorized photographing. Provides that it is unlawful for any person to knowingly make a video record or transmit live video of or photograph another person in a courtroom or any location inside of a State courthouse without that person's consent or judicial authorization. Provides that a violation is a Class 4 felony or a Class 3 felony if the victim is a person who is a victim or witness in a criminal case and is present in court in his or her capacity as a victim or witness. Provides that it is unlawful for any person to place or cause to be placed a device that makes a video record or transmits live video or photographs another person in a courtroom or any location inside of a State courthouse without that person's consent or judicial authorization. Provides that a violation is a Class A misdemeanor. Defines "courthouse".
What the bill says
A bill FOR 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026SB4038Introduced 2/6/2026, by Sen. Laura M. MurphySYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: ILCS 5/26-4from Ch. 38, par. 26-4 720 ILCS 5/26-4 from Ch. 38, par. 26-4 ILCS 5/26-4 from Ch. 38, par. 26-4 Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Modifies the offense ofunauthorized video recording and live video transmission to also includeunauthorized photographing…
From the introduced text, February 6, 2026:
A BILL FOR 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026SB4038Introduced 2/6/2026, by Sen. Laura M. MurphySYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: ILCS 5/26-4from Ch. 38, par. 26-4 720 ILCS 5/26-4 from Ch. 38, par. 26-4 ILCS 5/26-4 from Ch. 38, par. 26-4 Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Modifies the offense ofunauthorized video recording and live video transmission to also includeunauthorized photographing. Provides that it is unlawful for any person toknowingly make a video record or transmit live video of or photographanother person in a courtroom or any location inside of a State courthousewithout that person's consent or judicial authorization. Provides that aviolation is a Class 4 felony or a Class 3 felony if the victim is a personwho is a victim or witness in a criminal case and is present in court inhis or her capacity as a victim or witness. Provides that it is unlawfulfor any person to place or cause to be placed a device that makes a videorecord or transmits live video or photographs another person in acourtroom or any location inside of a State courthouse without thatperson's consent or judicial authorization. Provides that a violation is aClass A misdemeanor. Defines "courthouse". LRB104 19814 RLC 33264 b LRB104 19814 RLC 33264 b LRB104 19814 RLC 33264 b A BILL FOR SB4038LRB104 19814 RLC 33264 b SB4038 LRB104 …
Sponsors
- Laura M. Murphy (D, 28) · primary sponsor
- Napoleon Harris (D, 15)
- Jason Plummer (R, 55)
- Mary Gill (D, 35) · primary sponsor
- Joyce Mason (D, 61)
- Kam Buckner (D, 26)
- Michael J. Kelly (D, 15)
- Rick Ryan (D, 36)
- Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar (D, 22)
- Matt Hanson (D, 83)
- Michael Crawford (D, 31)
- Yolonda Morris (D, 9)
Latest actions
- : Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0750
- : Effective Date January 1, 2027
- : Governor Approved
- : Sent to the Governor
- : Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Camille Y. Lilly
- : Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Stephanie A. Kifowit
- : Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid
- : Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Lilian Jiménez
- : Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Mary Beth Canty
- : Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Ann M. Williams
Votes
- Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed (May 22, 2026): 100 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Motion to Suspend Rule 21 - Prevailed (May 14, 2026): 70 yea, 36 nay, passed
- Do Pass / Short Debate Judiciary - Criminal Committee (May 14, 2026): 13 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Third Reading - Passed (May 13, 2026): 57 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Do Pass as Amended Executive (May 6, 2026): 13 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: ILCS 720 - Criminal Offenses
Common questions
- What is SB4038?
- SB4038 is a bill in the Illinois Legislature (104th General Assembly): UNAUTHORIZE VIDEO-PHOTO-COURT.
- What does SB4038 do?
- In its own words: A bill FOR 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026SB4038Introduced 2/6/2026, by Sen. Laura M. MurphySYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: ILCS 5/26-4from Ch. 38, par. 26-4 720 ILCS 5/26-4 from Ch. 38, par. 26-4 ILCS 5/26-4 from Ch. 38, par. 26-4 Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Modifies the offense ofunauthorized video recording and live video transmission to also includeunauthorized photographing…
- What is the status of SB4038?
- Signed into law as of July 31, 2026. Latest action: Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0750 (July 31, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB4038?
- Laura M. Murphy (D, 28), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB4038?
- On the Illinois Legislature website: https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=4038&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114
Source: official Illinois record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.