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Illinois State Senator Ira Silverstein is sponsoring Senate Bill 2426, which was passed unanimously in the senate judiciary-criminal law committee earlier this week.

Bill 2426 adds the crime of harassment through electronic means, cyberbullying.  Those who purposely torment a specific person on at least two separate occasions or creates and maintains websites that contain harassing statements will face stiff penalties under the new bill.

Penalties include up to one year in jail for the first offense, while subsequent offenses are felonies with 1 to 3 year prison terms.  Enhanced penalties occur if the act is  committed by someone over age 21 against a victim under 18.