Bill > HB3395

This bill amends the Criminal Code of 2012 to expand the legal definition of grooming to include not just digital or communication-based interactions, but also inappropriate in-person behaviors targeting children under 17 years old. Specifically, the bill broadens the existing grooming statute to explicitly cover physical actions such as isolating interactions with a child, giving gifts, or inappropriately crossing physical boundaries. The expanded definition maintains the original law's focus on preventing sexual exploitation, but now recognizes that grooming can involve direct personal interactions designed to manipulate or prepare a child for potential sexual abuse. By adding these specific in-person behaviors to the definition, the bill aims to provide law enforcement and prosecutors with clearer guidelines for identifying and addressing potentially predatory conduct toward minors before more serious sexual offenses might occur.

Justice

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=3395&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104