SPRINGFIELD - Computer technicians who come across child pornography while repairing customers' computers would be required to report it to the police under legislation pending before the Illinois legislature.

The measure would expand an existing law that requires photo technicians to report child pornography if they come across it while developing film.

"Sex offenders are increasingly using the Internet to identify and victimize children," Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan said in a prepared statement.

Cara Smith, a spokeswoman for Madigan, said many businesses already report child pornography if it is found on a computer, but this measure would make it mandatory.

Eric Davis, a service manager for Action Computer Company in Fairview Heights, said the company does report cases of child pornography if they come across a "glaringly obvious" case like a picture on a desktop.

However, he added that many times it would be impossible for computer technicians to come across the material because it would require rooting through a person's individual files.

"We don't have the time to root through the computer and all the information when we're trying to fix them," he said.

Smith said the legislation is not intended to turn computer technicians into computer sleuths, but said the attorney general's office hopes more cases will be reported under the law.

The bill also would require Internet service providers to register with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to facilitate their reporting of child pornography traded on their service.

The House Judiciary-Criminal Law committee passed the legislation 13-0 earlier this month, and it is now before the entire Illinois House.

The bill is HB5469.