Loughran Cappel works to crack down on cyberbullying via AI technology

SPRINGFIELD – In response to the growing trend of bullying that uses artificial intelligence to create and distribute sexually explicit materials, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel passed a bill through committee that further expands the definition of cyberbullying and addresses the use of bullying by artificial intelligence in the school code. 

“With artificial intelligence on the rise, we are seeing a lot more cyberbullying scenarios that deal with altered, harmful images,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “It’s essential for our students and families to know that although there may be good uses for AI, it can also be a harmful tool and there will be consequences for students if it’s used inappropriately.”

House Bill 3851 would further extend the definition of bullying and clarify that cyberbullying includes the posting or distribution of unauthorized digital replicas, if the action creates any of the effects stated in the definition of "bullying" within the school code. Under the bill, a student who uses another student’s photo to depict them offensively without permission would be considered cyberbullying. However, classroom uses of AI that involve consent would not constitute as bullying.

The legislation is a response to a growing number of national and local reports of these types of AI programs being used to create vulgar and demeaning images.

“Digitally manipulated photos can devastate students’ mental health,” said Loughran Cappel. “This legislation ensures our state laws and school policies designed to protect students don’t fall behind the latest technology.”

House Bill 3851 passed the Senate Executive Committee with bipartisan support Wednesday.

Loughran Cappel works to remove statute of limitations for child trafficking

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel passed a measure out of committee that would allow individuals trafficked or exploited as minors more time to bring forth charges.

“The victims of crimes like these can take time to come forward because of trauma or other hardships,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Eliminating the time restriction would help ensure survivors can tell their story when they feel ready, not when the law says so.”

House Bill 2602 would extend the time limit for filing criminal charges in cases of forced labor, trafficking or related offenses by allowing charges to be brought at any time if the victim was under 18 years old when the crime occurred.

“The perpetrators of these awful crimes shouldn’t be able to hide behind passed time,” said Loughran Cappel. “This legislation gives survivors their power back and acknowledges it takes courage and time to seek justice.”

House Bill 2602 passed the Senate Criminal Law Committee Tuesday.

Loughran Cappel measure strengthens emergency response actions in schools

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure all educators, including substitute teachers, know what to do in case of an emergency at school, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel passed a bill out of committee that requires them to be trained in evacuation and lockdown procedures.

“Parents send their children to school expecting their teacher to know what to do if there’s an emergency,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Ensuring every teacher, substitute or full-time, is trained for emergency response situations is the logical thing to do.”

House Bill 1787 would require school districts in Illinois to provide training to all substitute teachers on school evacuation drills and law enforcement lockdown drills. Additionally, all substitutes would be given the same information as full-time employees that outlines all lockdown and evacuation procedures, and maps would be required to be displayed in every classroom showing all school exit points.

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Loughran Cappel, Senate members honor life of Wadee Alfayoumi

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel supported a resolution in the Senate that honors the life of Wadee Alfayoumi, a six-year-old American-Palestinian boy from Plainfield who was fatally attacked in 2023.

“This was a terrible act of violence against a child and no child should ever be made a target because of who they are, where they come from or how they pray,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “May the memory of Wadee be a blessing and a reminder we must rise against hate and continue the work of building a better and safer state.”

International Day of Peace is recognized across the world each year on Sept. 21. In honor of Wadee Alfayoumi, Senate Resolution 265 renames this year’s observance in Illinois as Wadee’s Day to inspire individuals to work together to make the world a more peaceful place.

The Senate adopted the resolution on Tuesday.