SPRINGFIELD –  An Illinois father was caught disseminating sexually-explicit selfies found on his son’s phone but couldn’t be charged with child pornography due to a loophole in Illinois law. State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. passed a measure to tighten current law – ensuring those who commit such wrongdoings can face appropriate consequences.

“When adults intentionally obtain and distribute self-taken images of minors, that constitutes exploitation and demands criminal accountability,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “The measure recognizes that while we shouldn't criminalize minors for self-taken images, we must maintain strong protections against adult predators who would misuse such content.”

Sims’ measure closes a loophole as it relates to child pornography by clarifying “who” cannot be charged with a selfie rather than exempting all selfies from the definition of child pornography.

The measure comes after a heinous case where a father, in the course of looking through his high school son’s cell phone, discovered nude ‘selfies’ of his son’s underage classmate. The pictures were taken by and solely depicted the classmate and were intentionally sent to the son. Appallingly enough, the father sent the images to himself and disseminated them on the internet. Under current law, that father would not be able to be criminally charged with the material’s dissemination because selfies were categorically removed from the definition of child pornography.

Under Senate Bill 2655, the father could be charged because the law will clearly state “who” cannot be charged with a selfie rather than exempting all selfies from the definition of child pornography.

“We are taking a necessary step to close a critical gap in child protection laws by ensuring adults cannot escape culpability by exploiting a technicality around image origin,” said Sims.

Senate Bill 2655 passed the Senate Monday and heads to the governor for final approval.