City Council Makes Shooting 'Upskirt' Images Subject To $500 Fine
By John Dodge
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Although the state already makes it a felony to use a video device to shoot "upskirt" images of women, the City Council on Wednesday also made the already illegal practice subject to a fine.
The so-called "upskirt" trend--when somebody shoots images from either underneath a woman's skirt or down her blouse--"is something women in Chicago should be aware of," Ald. Ed Burke said at the City Council meeting.
"It's another example of how women in the City Council can take the lead in making sure women are protected against invasive types of crimes."
The city ordinance, which passed unanimously, would make each offence subject to a $500 fine.
In Illinois, it is already "unlawful for any person to knowingly make a video record or transmit live video of another person under or through the clothing worn by that other person for the purpose of viewing the body of or the undergarments worn by that other person without that person's consent."
A person violating the statute is subject to felony charges and, if convicted, could face jail time.
Burke, according to the Chicago Sun-Times Fran Spielman, said, "This city ordinance would give our police officers another tool. And the fines would go into city coffers."