Mathias-Backed Bills Protect Children Online

While leading many debates on the issues regarding the state’s budget, ethics reforms, mass transit and education reforms; State Rep. Sid Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove) was chief sponsor of a series of public safety measures that were recently signed into law by Gov. Pat Quinn. House Bills 3281, 3283 and 3289; all were initiatives that safeguard Illinois’ communities and children.

“There is no question that the capacity and capabilities of the Internet are rapidly expanding,” Mathias said in a prepared statement. “Our public policies must keep pace and quickly advance for the sake of keeping our communities and our children safe.”

Mathias offered the following summaries of the legislation that became law in light of the growing concerns of internet dangers and online bullying:

House Bill 3281 is a measure that would allow any school board in Illinois to expel a student for gross disobedience of misconduct perpetuated by electronic means. According to Mathias, social networking sites have led to an increased number of incidents where students are bullied, negatively impacting their efforts and focus on education. This measure changes the Illinois School Code to give authority to local boards to take action against students who engage in this behavior. The governor signed this bill into law on Aug. 12.

House Bill 3283 is legislation that provides that a person who commits the offense of indecent solicitation of a child by the knowing use of the Internet and lies about his/her age to the child, is guilty of a felony that is one class higher than the penalty for the same conduct committed without using the Internet. According to Mathias, many individuals who prey on children use the Internet as a means to lie about who they are, what their intentions are and their age. This bill is a preventive measure to hopefully deter online predators by issuing greater penalties to those who lie about their age via the Internet to entice children into inappropriate or sexual activity. The governor signed this bill into law on July 21.

House Bill 3289 is a measure that provides that any Internet access provider must make available to each subscriber in the State of Illinois a parental control that controls a child’s access to the Internet. The purpose of the legislation is to promote the dissemination of parental controls to enable appropriate oversight by parents of their children’s internet use. According to Mathias, we must provide the proper electronic tools to safeguard our children from online predators as well accessibility to inappropriate content. This bill gives parents the opportunity to be proactive in the safety of their children. The governor signed this bill into law on Aug. 12.

“I commend my colleagues in the General Assembly for joining me and passing these measures in a bipartisan effort in the name of good public policy,” Mathias said. “I also thank the Governor for taking swift action and signing these bills into law."

House Bill 3289 took effect immediately upon signing on Aug. 12. House Bills 3281 and 3283 take effect on Jan. 1.

— Submitted by the office of Sid Mathias