101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
HB4547

 

Introduced 2/5/2020, by Rep. John Connor

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
10 ILCS 5/1A-60 new

    Amends the Election Code. Requires a covered website that implements a politically biased algorithm to file a report with the State Board of Elections that includes the candidate, political party, or question the algorithm was design to promote or defeat and other information. Imposes a civil penalty on a covered website that fails to report. Allows the State Board of Elections to adopt rules necessary to implement the provisions.


LRB101 16833 SMS 66232 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB4547LRB101 16833 SMS 66232 b

1    AN ACT concerning elections.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Election Code is amended by adding Section
51A-60 as follows:
 
6    (10 ILCS 5/1A-60 new)
7    Sec. 1A-60. Online platforms.
8    (a) As used in this Section:
9    "Covered website" means an online social network or search
10engine that has 50,000,000 or more unique monthly United States
11visitors or users for a majority of months during the
12immediately preceding 12 months.
13    "Politically biased algorithm" means an algorithm that is
14designed to promote the success or defeat of a candidate,
15political party, or position on a question at an election by
16causing a user of a covered website to view campaign material
17or other content that:
18        (1) favors a particular candidate, political party, or
19    position on a question more frequently than campaign
20    material or content that favors the opposing candidate,
21    political party, or position on a question; or
22        (2) disfavors a particular candidate, political party,
23    or position on a question more frequently than campaign

 

 

HB4547- 2 -LRB101 16833 SMS 66232 b

1    material or content that disfavors the opposing candidate,
2    political party, or position on a question.
3    (b)(1) A covered website that implements a politically
4biased algorithm shall file a report with the State Board of
5Elections within 7 days after implementing the algorithm.
6    (2) A covered website shall file an additional report on
7every seventh day following the due date of the report required
8under paragraph (1) covering the immediately preceding 7 days
9if the covered website implemented a politically biased
10algorithm during that period.
11    (c) Each report under this Section shall include:
12        (1) each candidate, political party, or question that
13    the politically biased algorithm was designed to promote or
14    defeat;
15        (2) the dates that the algorithm was in use;
16        (3) digital copies of the campaign material or other
17    content that the politically biased algorithm caused users
18    to view;
19        (4) the number of users exposed to campaign material or
20    other content generated by the politically biased
21    algorithm;
22        (5) any amount of money or other thing of value
23    received by the covered website from another person to
24    implement the politically biased algorithm; and
25        (6) any other information the State Board of Elections
26    requires by rule.

 

 

HB4547- 3 -LRB101 16833 SMS 66232 b

1    (d)(1) The State Board of Elections may assess a civil
2penalty on a covered website that fails to file a report
3required under this Section in an amount not exceeding $50,000
4for each violation.
5    (2) A civil penalty under paragraph (1) shall be:
6        (A) assessed in the manner specified in Section 9-23;
7        (B) deposited into the General Revenue Fund; and
8        (C) the joint and several liability of:
9            (i) the covered website; and
10            (ii) the person exercising direction or control
11        over the activities of the covered website.
12    (e) The State Board of Elections may adopt rules necessary
13to implement the provisions of this Section.