HB1761 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB095 08517 RLC 28698 b

95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2007 and 2008
HB1761

Introduced 2/23/2007, by Rep. Cynthia Soto

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Courtroom Camera Prohibition Act. Provides that it is unlawful for any person to film, videotape, televise, or photograph, including the taking of a digital photograph by use of a cellular telephone or other electronic device, a courtroom proceeding in the circuit court during court sessions or recesses between proceedings without the consent of the judge who presides over that courtroom. Provides that if a circuit court judge or associate judge presiding over a courtroom proceeding has knowledge that a violation has occurred, he or she shall punish the offender by finding the offender in contempt of court. Provides that the Act does not prohibit the photographing, broadcasting, or televising of proceedings of the Illinois Supreme Court or Illinois Appellate Court.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning courts.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Courtroom Camera Prohibition Act.

Section 5. Cameras in courtroom prohibited; exceptions.

(a) It is unlawful for any person to film, videotape, televise, or photograph, including the taking of a digital photograph by use of a cellular telephone or other electronic device, a courtroom proceeding in the circuit court during court sessions or recesses between proceedings without the consent of the judge who presides over that courtroom.

(b) If a circuit court judge or associate judge presiding over a courtroom proceeding has knowledge that a violation of subsection (a) of this Section has occurred, he or she shall punish the offender by finding the offender in contempt of court.

(c) Nothing in this Act prohibits the photographing, broadcasting, or televising of proceedings of the Illinois Supreme Court or Illinois Appellate Court.