A bill that would ban masks, hoodies, and other identity-concealing garments during public protests has been introduced in the Illinois House.
State Rep. John Cabello, R-Machesney Park, who has worked as a Rockford police officer, claimed the bill wasn't prompted by any specific protests. However, he said, some people are emboldened to commit violence if they can hide their identity at public protests.
The Rockford Register Star reports Rockford Ald. Venita Hervey, a civil rights lawyer, doesn't believe the law would make it out of the rules committee. She claims it violates the First Amendment.
An ACLU spokesman is more ambivalent. He said the group needed to conduct more research on the bill, but noted there may not be a First Amendment right to conceal one's face from the police.
If passed, the law would make wearing a mask at a protest a Class C misdemeanor, with penalties including 30 days in jail and up to $1,500 in fines.