Attorney General Raoul applauds passage of bill regarding child pornography and use of artificial intelligence
May 26, 2024
Springfield – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today commended the Illinois Senate’s unanimous approval of legislation to clarify that Illinois’ child pornography laws apply to images and videos created by artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The measure is part of ongoing efforts by Raoul’s office, in collaboration with state and federal law enforcement agencies, to combat child pornography across Illinois.
Raoul initiated House Bill (HB) 4623, sponsored by Sen. Mary Edly-Allen, to address AI-generated child pornography. The legislation prohibits the use of AI technology to create child pornography involving real children or obscene imagery. Additionally, it bans the nonconsensual dissemination of certain AI-generated sexual images.
“I initiated this legislation because AI-generated child pornography is an increasing concern, and it is one that we need to get addressed before the technology outpaces our ability to distinguish between AI images and images of real children,” Raoul said. “Just like child sexual abuse images containing real children, AI-generated child pornography is used by predators to lure and groom minors and to normalize their own reprehensible behavior and child sexual abuse. We must be able to address AI-generated child sexual abuse images the same way existing law covers images of actual children. As policymakers, we have a responsibility to protect our children from the trauma of exploitation, and this is a critical step in the right direction.”
Experts from the Attorney General’s office previously testified before legislative committees about technological advances enabling realistic computer-generated images and videos of children. They highlighted how AI-generated child pornography harms children depicted through reputational, emotional, and privacy injuries even when not using real children's images.
“We must protect our children and implement strong regulations as new threats are constantly developing with unregulated AI programs,” said Edly-Allen. “I commend Attorney General Raoul and State Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz for their tireless efforts to ensure the safety and protection of current and future generations.”
Raoul’s office runs the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force with a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. The task force investigates child exploitation crimes and trains law enforcement agencies while receiving CyberTips from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. In 2023 alone, reports increased by 46% over 2022.
Illinois’ ICAC Task Force is one of 61 such task forces nationwide comprising over 185 local, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Since 2019, it has received more than 40,900 CyberTips leading to over 720 arrests; since its inception in 2006, there have been more than 2,010 arrests.
The public can report online at CyberTipline.com for child sexual exploitation or dcfsOnlineReporting.dcfs.Illinois.gov for child abuse cases. Local advocacy centers are listed at ChildrensAdvocacyCentersofIllinois.org.