Taking a bad breakup to the Internet could result in taking a trip to prison.
Gov. Pat Quinn signed a law this week that aims to protect against so-called "revenge porn."
"Cyberbullying can have lasting and often devastating effects on a person, especially when it involves the distribution of very personal images," Quinn said in a statement. "This shameful act can be as harmful as any other form of abuse."
Illinois law already forbids distributing explicit sexual images or videos taken without permission. But sponsor Sen. Michael Hastings (D-Tinley Park) says there was a loophole for photos or videos that were taken with consent -- say by romantic partner -- then later publicly distributed without permission.
Hastings says internet social media have made it easier than ever for a jilted lover to use explicit photos as a form of intimidation.
The new law makes disseminating these private sexual images a felony, punishable by up to three years in prison. Persons convicted under this law also could be fined up to $25,000 and required to forfeit any proceeds from posting the images.
The law will go into effect June 1, 2015.
Amanda Vinicky, Statehouse Bureau Chief for Illinois Public Radio, contributed to this story.