In Illinois The "Legal age of consent" is 17 years old. is it considered child porn if the female is 17 and takes a "pornographic" picture? especially if she consented to it? if so how is that possible if she is no longer a "minor" in the courts eyes?

Legally, the age of majority in the state of Illinois is 18 which means you are not legally considered an adult until you reach your 18th birthday. A person age 17, can no longer be a victim of statutory rape; however, that does not automatically make them a legal adult. According to Illinois laws, you can not sign legally binding contracts and you can not be married legally without sworn statements from your parents if you are under the age of 18.

Child pornography laws apply to anyone under the age of 18 regardless of the age of sexual consent. A person may be the age at which they can legally consent to sexual activity; however, giving legal consent to create pornography or any form of exploitation for the purpose of child pornography is NOT legal. Any form of child exploitation simply can not be tolerated under any circumstance. This is not a problem iscolated to the US. This is a global issue and the reason the age is 18 is very simple; it is to protect ALL children from exploitation. Child pornography laws are about "protecting the many children who have been taken, sold, or are missing and do not have a voice. There is no justification for any form of child pornography even at the age of 17.

How to report child pornography found on the web

www.usdoj.gov/criminal/ceos/
The Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) of the Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice

Innocent Images National Initiative
Federal Bureau of Investigation
www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/cac/innocent.htm>
The Innocent Images National Initiative (IINI), a component of the FBI's Cyber Crimes Program

Ice Cyber Crimes Center
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Toll-free: 1-866-DHS-2ICE
/www.ice.gov/graphics/investigations/services/cyberbranch.htm

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
Charles B. Wang International Children's Building
699 Prince Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3175
The United States of America
Phone: 703-274-3900
Fax: 703-274-2200
Hotline:1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678)
CyberTipLine.com

U.S. Postal Inspection Service
Inspection Service Operations Support Group
222 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1250
Chicago, IL 60606-6100
www.usps.com/postalinspectors/kid-porn.htm