IL House Candidate Urges Crackdown On Panhandling Involving Children In Skokie

SKOKIE, IL — A Republican candidate for the Illinois House used Monday's Skokie Village Board meeting to press for enforcement of laws involving adults panhandling with children.

Jim Geldermann, who is running for election to represent District 17 in the Illinois House of Representatives, addressed the board ahead of the Nov. 3, general election. Geldermann advanced from the Republican primary on March 17 and is running against Democratic incumbent Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz.

In his remarks, Geldermann tied the issue to public safety and child welfare.

“I am speaking about panhandlers using children as props on the street corners in our communities. Since Chicago is a known hub of human sex and child trafficking, it would be an egregious mistake to assume these children are sons or daughters of the panhandlers," Geldermann said.

Geldermann argued that existing state laws and local codes already prohibit the practice and require a specific response when children are involved. He cited general state law under the Wrong Children Act, which says it is unlawful for an adult 18 years of age or older to engage in panhandling with anyone under 18 years of age. Doing so is considered a Class B misdemeanor and will result in a police citation.

Geldermann pointed to child endangerment and neglect provisions under the Juvenile Court Act in Illinois child endangerment statutes, which says allowing or requiring a child to participate in panhandling is a form of child abuse. Under the law, when a child is found begging with an adult, law enforcement officers are required by law to issue a citation to the adult and immediately notify the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

Many cities, including Skokie, have codes that strictly prohibit adults from having children while begging or soliciting. Geldermann urged the village to strictly enforce its existing statutes and requested that law enforcement follow what he described as mandatory procedures in those situations