{ "batch": "7938-illinois-obscenity-and-distribution", "articles": [ { "id": "learn_r7938_illinois_obscenity_and_distribution_illinois_7938_c1", "category": "Safety", "title": "Illinois: ANCHOR: official statute site", "summary": "Illinois's obscenity laws sit in Chapter 720 (Criminal Offenses) of the Illinois Compiled Statutes, Act 5, the Criminal Code of 2012 (720 ILCS 5/), Article 11, Subdivision 20 (Pornography Offenses), published by the Illinois General Assembly.", "body": "Illinois's obscenity laws sit in Chapter 720 (Criminal Offenses) of the Illinois Compiled Statutes, Act 5, the Criminal Code of 2012 (720 ILCS 5/), Article 11, Subdivision 20 (Pornography Offenses), published by the Illinois General Assembly.\n\nWhat Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes) actually says:\n\n“Illinois Compiled Statutes - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (720 ILCS 5/) Criminal Code of 2012.”\n\nNote: Claude session research 2026-10-23 (web search + fetch of the official page); quote re-checked by the verify gate", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/ILCS/Articles?ActID=1876&ChapterID=53", "last_verified": "2026-10-23", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes)", "evidence_quote": "Illinois Compiled Statutes - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (720 ILCS 5/) Criminal Code of 2012.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "7938-illinois-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Illinois", "topic": "ANCHOR: official statute site", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "IL", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us-il" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r7938_illinois_obscenity_and_distribution_illinois_7938_c2", "category": "Safety", "title": "Illinois: Obscenity statute citation", "summary": "The obscenity offense is 720 ILCS 5/11-20.", "body": "The obscenity offense is 720 ILCS 5/11-20.\n\nWhat Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes) actually says:\n\n“Sec. 11-20. Obscenity. (a) Elements of the Offense. A person commits obscenity when, with knowledge of the nature or content thereof, or recklessly failing to exercise reasonable inspection which would have disclosed the nature or content thereof, he or she:”\n\nNote: Claude session research 2026-10-23 (web search + fetch of the official page); quote re-checked by the verify gate", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ILCS/details?ActID=1876&ChapterID=53&ChapAct=720+ILCS+5%2F&SeqStart=19100000&SeqEnd=20300000", "last_verified": "2026-10-23", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes)", "evidence_quote": "Sec. 11-20. Obscenity. (a) Elements of the Offense. A person commits obscenity when, with knowledge of the nature or content thereof, or recklessly failing to exercise reasonable inspection which would have disclosed the nature or content thereof, he or she:", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "7938-illinois-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Illinois", "topic": "Obscenity statute citation", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "IL", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us-il" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r7938_illinois_obscenity_and_distribution_illinois_7938_c3", "category": "Safety", "title": "Illinois: Distribution/sale element", "summary": "Under 720 ILCS 5/11-20(a)(1) and (3), selling, delivering or providing obscene material, or publishing or otherwise making available anything obscene, is an element of obscenity; the language is not limited to minors and so covers sales to adults.", "body": "Under 720 ILCS 5/11-20(a)(1) and (3), selling, delivering or providing obscene material, or publishing or otherwise making available anything obscene, is an element of obscenity; the language is not limited to minors and so covers sales to adults.\n\nWhat Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes) actually says:\n\n“(1) Sells, delivers or provides, or offers or agrees to sell, deliver or provide any obscene writing, picture, record or other representation or embodiment of the obscene; or (2) Presents or directs an obscene play, dance or other performance”\n\nNote: Claude session research 2026-10-23 (web search + fetch of the official page); quote re-checked by the verify gate", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ILCS/details?ActID=1876&ChapterID=53&ChapAct=720+ILCS+5%2F&SeqStart=19100000&SeqEnd=20300000", "last_verified": "2026-10-23", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes)", "evidence_quote": "(1) Sells, delivers or provides, or offers or agrees to sell, deliver or provide any obscene writing, picture, record or other representation or embodiment of the obscene; or (2) Presents or directs an obscene play, dance or other performance", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "7938-illinois-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Illinois", "topic": "Distribution/sale element", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "IL", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us-il" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r7938_illinois_obscenity_and_distribution_illinois_7938_c4", "category": "Safety", "title": "Illinois: Other elements (performance for gain, advertising)", "summary": "720 ILCS 5/11-20(a)(4)-(6) also covers performing an obscene act for gain, possessing obscene matter with intent to disseminate, and advertising material held out to be obscene.", "body": "720 ILCS 5/11-20(a)(4)-(6) also covers performing an obscene act for gain, possessing obscene matter with intent to disseminate, and advertising material held out to be obscene.\n\nWhat Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes) actually says:\n\n“(4) Performs an obscene act or otherwise presents an obscene exhibition of his or her body for gain; or (5) Creates, buys, procures or possesses obscene matter or material with intent to disseminate it”\n\nNote: Claude session research 2026-10-23 (web search + fetch of the official page); quote re-checked by the verify gate", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ILCS/details?ActID=1876&ChapterID=53&ChapAct=720+ILCS+5%2F&SeqStart=19100000&SeqEnd=20300000", "last_verified": "2026-10-23", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes)", "evidence_quote": "(4) Performs an obscene act or otherwise presents an obscene exhibition of his or her body for gain; or (5) Creates, buys, procures or possesses obscene matter or material with intent to disseminate it", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "7938-illinois-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Illinois", "topic": "Other elements (performance for gain, advertising)", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "IL", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us-il" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r7938_illinois_obscenity_and_distribution_illinois_7938_c5", "category": "Safety", "title": "Illinois: Obscenity definition - prong 1 and 2", "summary": "720 ILCS 5/11-20(b) defines obscene using a three-part test based on contemporary adult community standards (prurient interest, patently offensive depiction of listed sexual acts).", "body": "720 ILCS 5/11-20(b) defines obscene using a three-part test based on contemporary adult community standards (prurient interest, patently offensive depiction of listed sexual acts).\n\nWhat Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes) actually says:\n\n“(b) Obscene Defined. Any material or performance is obscene if: (1) the average person, applying contemporary adult community standards, would find that, taken as a whole, it appeals to the prurient interest; and”\n\nNote: Claude session research 2026-10-23 (web search + fetch of the official page); quote re-checked by the verify gate", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ILCS/details?ActID=1876&ChapterID=53&ChapAct=720+ILCS+5%2F&SeqStart=19100000&SeqEnd=20300000", "last_verified": "2026-10-23", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes)", "evidence_quote": "(b) Obscene Defined. Any material or performance is obscene if: (1) the average person, applying contemporary adult community standards, would find that, taken as a whole, it appeals to the prurient interest; and", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "7938-illinois-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Illinois", "topic": "Obscenity definition - prong 1 and 2", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "IL", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us-il" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r7938_illinois_obscenity_and_distribution_illinois_7938_c6", "category": "Safety", "title": "Illinois: Obscenity definition - prong 3", "summary": "The third prong of 720 ILCS 5/11-20(b) requires that the work, taken as a whole, lack serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.", "body": "The third prong of 720 ILCS 5/11-20(b) requires that the work, taken as a whole, lack serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.\n\nWhat Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes) actually says:\n\n“(3) taken as a whole, it lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value. (c) Interpretation of Evidence. Obscenity shall be judged with reference to ordinary adults,”\n\nNote: Claude session research 2026-10-23 (web search + fetch of the official page); quote re-checked by the verify gate", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ILCS/details?ActID=1876&ChapterID=53&ChapAct=720+ILCS+5%2F&SeqStart=19100000&SeqEnd=20300000", "last_verified": "2026-10-23", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes)", "evidence_quote": "(3) taken as a whole, it lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value. (c) Interpretation of Evidence. Obscenity shall be judged with reference to ordinary adults,", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "7938-illinois-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Illinois", "topic": "Obscenity definition - prong 3", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "IL", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us-il" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r7938_illinois_obscenity_and_distribution_illinois_7938_c7", "category": "Safety", "title": "Illinois: Obscenity penalty class", "summary": "Under 720 ILCS 5/11-20(d), obscenity is a Class A misdemeanor; a second or subsequent offense is a Class 4 felony.", "body": "Under 720 ILCS 5/11-20(d), obscenity is a Class A misdemeanor; a second or subsequent offense is a Class 4 felony.\n\nWhat Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes) actually says:\n\n“(d) Sentence. Obscenity is a Class A misdemeanor. A second or subsequent offense is a Class 4 felony.”\n\nNote: Claude session research 2026-10-23 (web search + fetch of the official page); quote re-checked by the verify gate", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ILCS/details?ActID=1876&ChapterID=53&ChapAct=720+ILCS+5%2F&SeqStart=19100000&SeqEnd=20300000", "last_verified": "2026-10-23", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes)", "evidence_quote": "(d) Sentence. Obscenity is a Class A misdemeanor. A second or subsequent offense is a Class 4 felony.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "7938-illinois-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Illinois", "topic": "Obscenity penalty class", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "IL", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us-il" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r7938_illinois_obscenity_and_distribution_illinois_7938_c8", "category": "Safety", "title": "Illinois: Obscenity affirmative defenses", "summary": "720 ILCS 5/11-20(f) provides an affirmative defense where dissemination was not for gain and was made to personal associates other than children under 18.", "body": "720 ILCS 5/11-20(f) provides an affirmative defense where dissemination was not for gain and was made to personal associates other than children under 18.\n\nWhat Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes) actually says:\n\n“(f) Affirmative Defenses. It shall be an affirmative defense to obscenity that the dissemination: (1) Was not for gain and was made to personal associates other than children under 18 years of age;”\n\nNote: Claude session research 2026-10-23 (web search + fetch of the official page); quote re-checked by the verify gate", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ILCS/details?ActID=1876&ChapterID=53&ChapAct=720+ILCS+5%2F&SeqStart=19100000&SeqEnd=20300000", "last_verified": "2026-10-23", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes)", "evidence_quote": "(f) Affirmative Defenses. It shall be an affirmative defense to obscenity that the dissemination: (1) Was not for gain and was made to personal associates other than children under 18 years of age;", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "7938-illinois-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Illinois", "topic": "Obscenity affirmative defenses", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "IL", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us-il" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r7938_illinois_obscenity_and_distribution_illinois_7938_c9", "category": "Safety", "title": "Illinois: Harmful material offense - elements", "summary": "Under 720 ILCS 5/11-21(b), distributing harmful material to a minor requires knowing the minor is under 18 or failing to exercise reasonable care in ascertaining true age.", "body": "Under 720 ILCS 5/11-21(b), distributing harmful material to a minor requires knowing the minor is under 18 or failing to exercise reasonable care in ascertaining true age.\n\nWhat Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes) actually says:\n\n“(b) A person is guilty of distributing harmful material to a minor when he or she: (1) knowingly sells, lends, distributes, exhibits to, depicts to, or gives away to a minor, knowing that the minor is under the age of 18 or failing to exercise reasonable care in ascertaining the person's true age:”\n\nNote: Claude session research 2026-10-23 (web search + fetch of the official page); quote re-checked by the verify gate", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ILCS/details?ActID=1876&ChapterID=53&ChapAct=720+ILCS+5%2F&SeqStart=19100000&SeqEnd=20300000", "last_verified": "2026-10-23", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes)", "evidence_quote": "(b) A person is guilty of distributing harmful material to a minor when he or she: (1) knowingly sells, lends, distributes, exhibits to, depicts to, or gives away to a minor, knowing that the minor is under the age of 18 or failing to exercise reasonable care in ascertaining the person's true age:", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "7938-illinois-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Illinois", "topic": "Harmful material offense - elements", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "IL", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us-il" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r7938_illinois_obscenity_and_distribution_illinois_7938_c10", "category": "Safety", "title": "Illinois: Harmful material penalty class", "summary": "Under 720 ILCS 5/11-21(e), distributing harmful material is a Class A misdemeanor; a second or subsequent offense is a Class 4 felony.", "body": "Under 720 ILCS 5/11-21(e), distributing harmful material is a Class A misdemeanor; a second or subsequent offense is a Class 4 felony.\n\nWhat Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes) actually says:\n\n“(e) Distribution of harmful material in violation of this Section is a Class A misdemeanor. A second or subsequent offense is a Class 4 felony.”\n\nNote: Claude session research 2026-10-23 (web search + fetch of the official page); quote re-checked by the verify gate", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ILCS/details?ActID=1876&ChapterID=53&ChapAct=720+ILCS+5%2F&SeqStart=19100000&SeqEnd=20300000", "last_verified": "2026-10-23", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes)", "evidence_quote": "(e) Distribution of harmful material in violation of this Section is a Class A misdemeanor. A second or subsequent offense is a Class 4 felony.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "7938-illinois-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Illinois", "topic": "Harmful material penalty class", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "IL", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us-il" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r7938_illinois_obscenity_and_distribution_illinois_7938_c11", "category": "Safety", "title": "Illinois: Online sales defense (age certification notice)", "summary": "720 ILCS 5/11-21(c)(5) gives an affirmative defense for remote (mail, telephone, Internet) sales where the advertisement carried the statutory under-18 notice and the purchaser falsely certified being 18 or older.", "body": "720 ILCS 5/11-21(c)(5) gives an affirmative defense for remote (mail, telephone, Internet) sales where the advertisement carried the statutory under-18 notice and the purchaser falsely certified being 18 or older.\n\nWhat Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes) actually says:\n\n“\"NOTICE: It is unlawful for any person under the age of 18 to purchase the matter advertised. Any person under the age of 18 that falsely states that he or she is not under the age of 18 for the purpose of obtaining the material advertised is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor under the laws of the State.\"”\n\nNote: Claude session research 2026-10-23 (web search + fetch of the official page); quote re-checked by the verify gate", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ILCS/details?ActID=1876&ChapterID=53&ChapAct=720+ILCS+5%2F&SeqStart=19100000&SeqEnd=20300000", "last_verified": "2026-10-23", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes)", "evidence_quote": "\"NOTICE: It is unlawful for any person under the age of 18 to purchase the matter advertised. Any person under the age of 18 that falsely states that he or she is not under the age of 18 for the purpose of obtaining the material advertised is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor under the laws of the State.\"", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "7938-illinois-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Illinois", "topic": "Online sales defense (age certification notice)", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "IL", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us-il" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r7938_illinois_obscenity_and_distribution_illinois_7938_c12", "category": "Safety", "title": "Illinois: Hosting provider safe harbor", "summary": "720 ILCS 5/11-21(h) shields Internet service and hosting providers from liability for transmitting or storing others' content, except for willful and wanton misconduct.", "body": "720 ILCS 5/11-21(h) shields Internet service and hosting providers from liability for transmitting or storing others' content, except for willful and wanton misconduct.\n\nWhat Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes) actually says:\n\n“including, but not limited to, Internet service providers and hosting service providers, are not liable under this Section, except for willful and wanton misconduct,”\n\nNote: Claude session research 2026-10-23 (web search + fetch of the official page); quote re-checked by the verify gate", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ILCS/details?ActID=1876&ChapterID=53&ChapAct=720+ILCS+5%2F&SeqStart=19100000&SeqEnd=20300000", "last_verified": "2026-10-23", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes)", "evidence_quote": "including, but not limited to, Internet service providers and hosting service providers, are not liable under this Section, except for willful and wanton misconduct,", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "7938-illinois-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Illinois", "topic": "Hosting provider safe harbor", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "IL", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us-il" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r7938_illinois_obscenity_and_distribution_illinois_7938_c13", "category": "Safety", "title": "Illinois: Minor defined", "summary": "720 ILCS 5/11-21(a) defines a minor as any person under 18, so the harmful-material offense does not reach distribution to adults 18 or older.", "body": "720 ILCS 5/11-21(a) defines a minor as any person under 18, so the harmful-material offense does not reach distribution to adults 18 or older.\n\nWhat Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes) actually says:\n\n“\"Minor\" means any person under the age of 18. \"Nudity\" means the showing of the human male or female genitals, pubic area or buttocks with less than a fully opaque covering,”\n\nNote: Claude session research 2026-10-23 (web search + fetch of the official page); quote re-checked by the verify gate", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ILCS/details?ActID=1876&ChapterID=53&ChapAct=720+ILCS+5%2F&SeqStart=19100000&SeqEnd=20300000", "last_verified": "2026-10-23", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes)", "evidence_quote": "\"Minor\" means any person under the age of 18. \"Nudity\" means the showing of the human male or female genitals, pubic area or buttocks with less than a fully opaque covering,", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "7938-illinois-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Illinois", "topic": "Minor defined", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "IL", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us-il" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r7938_illinois_obscenity_and_distribution_illinois_7938_c14", "category": "Safety", "title": "Illinois: Harmful to minors definition (part 1)", "summary": "720 ILCS 5/11-21(a) defines 'harmful to minors' as depictions of nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement or sado-masochistic abuse that, taken as a whole, predominately appeal to minors' prurient interest in sex (continued in next record).", "body": "720 ILCS 5/11-21(a) defines 'harmful to minors' as depictions of nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement or sado-masochistic abuse that, taken as a whole, predominately appeal to minors' prurient interest in sex (continued in next record).\n\nWhat Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes) actually says:\n\n“\"Harmful to minors\" means that quality of any description or representation, in whatever form, of nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, or sado-masochistic abuse, when, taken as a whole, it (i) predominately appeals to the prurient interest in sex of minors,”\n\nNote: Claude session research 2026-10-23 (web search + fetch of the official page); quote re-checked by the verify gate", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ILCS/details?ActID=1876&ChapterID=53&ChapAct=720+ILCS+5%2F&SeqStart=19100000&SeqEnd=20300000", "last_verified": "2026-10-23", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes)", "evidence_quote": "\"Harmful to minors\" means that quality of any description or representation, in whatever form, of nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, or sado-masochistic abuse, when, taken as a whole, it (i) predominately appeals to the prurient interest in sex of minors,", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "7938-illinois-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Illinois", "topic": "Harmful to minors definition (part 1)", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "IL", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us-il" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r7938_illinois_obscenity_and_distribution_illinois_7938_c15", "category": "Safety", "title": "Illinois: Harmful to minors definition (part 2)", "summary": "The rest of the 720 ILCS 5/11-21(a) definition requires the material to be patently offensive to statewide adult standards on what suits minors and to lack serious value for minors.", "body": "The rest of the 720 ILCS 5/11-21(a) definition requires the material to be patently offensive to statewide adult standards on what suits minors and to lack serious value for minors.\n\nWhat Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes) actually says:\n\n“(ii) is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community in the State as a whole with respect to what is suitable material for minors, and (iii) lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for minors.”\n\nNote: Claude session research 2026-10-23 (web search + fetch of the official page); quote re-checked by the verify gate", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ILCS/details?ActID=1876&ChapterID=53&ChapAct=720+ILCS+5%2F&SeqStart=19100000&SeqEnd=20300000", "last_verified": "2026-10-23", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Compiled Statutes)", "evidence_quote": "(ii) is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community in the State as a whole with respect to what is suitable material for minors, and (iii) lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for minors.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "7938-illinois-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Illinois", "topic": "Harmful to minors definition (part 2)", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "IL", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us-il" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r7938_illinois_obscenity_and_distribution_illinois_7938_q1", "category": "Safety", "title": "Illinois: obscenity definition statute, distribution or sale offence, harmful-to-minors provision, penalty classification for each", "summary": "Illinois law repealed the prohibition against sodomy in 1961.", "body": "Illinois law repealed the prohibition against sodomy in 1961.\n\nWhat en.wikipedia.org actually says:\n\n“In 1961, Illinois became the first state in the nation to adopt the recommendation of the American Law Institute and pass a comprehensive criminal code revision that repealed the law against sodomy .”\n\nNote: Quinn (local boss on MCG): full page read, quote checked word-for-word on the page by the program; tier/confidence conservative - the verify gate decides", "source_type": "research", "source_link": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois", "last_verified": "2026-10-24", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "B", "source_publisher": "en.wikipedia.org", "evidence_quote": "In 1961, Illinois became the first state in the nation to adopt the recommendation of the American Law Institute and pass a comprehensive criminal code revision that repealed the law against sodomy .", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "7938-illinois-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Illinois", "topic": "obscenity definition statute, distribution or sale offence, harmful-to-minors provision, penalty classification for each", "applies_to_country": "any", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "any" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } }, { "id": "learn_r7938_illinois_obscenity_and_distribution_illinois_7938_q2", "category": "Safety", "title": "Illinois: obscenity definition statute, distribution or sale offence, harmful-to-minors provision, penalty classification for each", "summary": "The Illinois penal code defines obscenity and harmful materials under the Illinois Criminal Code of 2012, specifically in sections 11-17.1 through 11-17.7.", "body": "The Illinois penal code defines obscenity and harmful materials under the Illinois Criminal Code of 2012, specifically in sections 11-17.1 through 11-17.7.\n\nWhat Illinois (official) actually says:\n\n“Legal References Statutory Retailers’ Occupation Tax - 35 ILCS 120/1 to 120/14 Service Occupation Tax - 35 ILCS 115/1 to 115/21 Service Use Tax - 35 ILCS 110/1 to 110/21 Use Tax - 35 ILCS 105/1 to 105/22 Leveling the Playing Field for Illinois Retail - 35 ILCS 185/5 - 185/99”\n\nNote: Quinn (local boss on MCG): full page read, quote checked word-for-word on the page by the program", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://tax.illinois.gov/research/taxinformation/sales/rot.html", "last_verified": "2026-10-24", "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "Illinois (official)", "evidence_quote": "Legal References Statutory Retailers’ Occupation Tax - 35 ILCS 120/1 to 120/14 Service Occupation Tax - 35 ILCS 115/1 to 115/21 Service Use Tax - 35 ILCS 110/1 to 110/21 Use Tax - 35 ILCS 105/1 to 105/22 Leveling the Playing Field for Illinois Retail - 35 ILCS 185/5 - 185/99", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "7938-illinois-obscenity-and-distribution", "subject": "Illinois", "topic": "obscenity definition statute, distribution or sale offence, harmful-to-minors provision, penalty classification for each", "applies_to_country": "US", "applies_to_scope": "Illinois", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us-il" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "unclassified" ], "explicitness": "any" } } ] }