Legal Question in Technology Law in Illinois

Did you hack his account, or did he leave his email easily accessible? Hacking someone's email could violate the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, and it was probably inappropriate for you to read his email. However, I would be surprised if, without more than simply looking at your child's email, the authorities would be terribly interested.

I would suggest that your son should learn some important life lessons about this. First, that there are ramifications for his actions. Second, he should learn about an area of the law new to him called "forcible entry and detainer" when you boot his ungrateful behind out of your home and onto the street. And third, it will probably be difficult for him to afford internet service when he has to pay for his own apartment, insurance, food, clothing, transportation, etc., so then he will not need to worry about anyone looking at his email since he will not have any.