A bill banning sex offenders from visiting or loitering near Illinois public parks is advancing in the Illinois General Assembly.

Current law prohibits child sex offenders from being within 500 feet of a park, including state parks, when children are present. The proposed law would extend the restriction to all people convicted of sex crimes regardless of the circumstances of the conviction. Since the ban will effectively force sex offenders from certain neighborhoods, the restrictions may limit housing and employment options for sex offenders even further.   

Current Illinois Restrictions on Sex Offenders

The proposal would add to a long list of state restrictions on people convicted of sex crimes:

• Sex offenders must register with local law enforcement officers in person annually for 10 years.
• Offenders deemed Sexually Dangerous or Sexually Violent must register every 90 days for life.
• It would be unlawful for a child sex offender to be in any school building or property, or loiter within 500 feet of school property, without prior permission of school officials.
• It would be unlawful for a child sex offender to reside within 500 feet of a school, playground, day care or any other facility for children under age 18.

The bill, a political shoe-in, moved through the Illinois Senate with unanimous approval and has been sent to the House, where supporters expect it to pass with similar support.

Potential Penalties

If passed and signed by the governor, first-time violators of the new law would face a misdemeanor charge punishable by a jail term of less than one year and a $2,500 fine. Repeat offenders would face a felony charge, up to three years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

Other Legislation

One of the bill’s proponents, Sen. Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale, is also co-sponsoring a bill that would give Illinois judges the discretion to impose extended prison sentences on certain sex offenders. According to a press release from Dillard, judges could impose longer sentences on "individuals convicted of a major sex offense if their victim was younger than 18 years old and under the influence of alcohol at the time the offense took place."

The Senate also approved of a bill requiring registered sex offenders to provide telephone and cellphone numbers to the law enforcement agency when they are registering.

Facing Charges

If you or a loved one faces a sex crime charge, contact an Illinois criminal defense attorney focused on protecting the rights and freedom of defendants.