Plan requiring new safety, privacy protections for public officials awaits Pritzker's signature

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A bill awaiting Gov. JB Pritzker's final approval could protect the safety and privacy of public officials. Most Democrats and Republicans believe the legislation is necessary following the assassinations of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark Hortman, and conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Current and former state lawmakers, constitutional officers, state's attorneys, public defenders and election officials could have their personal information protected under the plan.

The measure would allow public leaders to request that their information not be posted online by government agencies, people, businesses, or groups. They could also request that information be removed from a website if it has already been published.

Anyone who violates the proposed law could be charged with a Class 3 felony.

"There's two prongs to this," said Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville). "They know or reasonably should know that posting the personal information poses an imminent and serious threat to the health and safety of the official or immediate family members and that the violation is the approximate cause of bodily injury or death of a public official or their immediate family."

This comes as several state lawmakers have been doxed and received death threats over the past two years. Yet, some Republicans have concerns about how the state can enforce this type of law.

"Let's just say a person has a website in Germany and they're advocating for some global policy. They want people in the legislature to vote on it in Illinois, and they're posting addresses asking for people to send them letters or advocate for this particular policy," said Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield). "How would one go about contacting this person who has a website in Germany?"

Sponsors said public officials would be responsible for tracking down the necessary information to submit a request to the person posting their private data. Officials would only be able to go to court for injunctive relief if the website owner fails to comply.

"It amends the election code and allows for expenditures of political committees for these expenses for elected officials to provide security enhancements," said Sen. Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove).

House Bill 576 passed out of the Senate on a 48-11 vote and received a 110-1 vote in the House. Rep. Chris Miller (R-Hindsboro) was the only member of the House to vote against the bill.