Bill Introduced By Deerfield Senator to Require Convicted Sex Offenders to Register Where They Work

Once released from custody, convicted sex offenders are already required to register with police where they live, but should they have to do the same in the locale in which they work?

That potential requirement is the premise behind a bill recently introduced by State Sen. Julie Morrison, D-Deerfield and the basis for a strong debate.

“We thought it was appropriate to plug that hole in the law,” Highland Park Police Chief Paul Shafer is quoted as saying in the Highland Park News.

Since the individuals would be spending about 40 hours per week at these locations, Shafer says it only makes sense to have them register with police there.

Will Mingus, executive director of Illinois Voices for Reform, sees it differently, however.

“To require registrants to appear in person to fill out paperwork accomplishes nothing more than further punishing individuals who have already served their time and who are attempting to support themselves and their families by finding meaningful employment,” he said.

Currently, convicted sex offenders register with their home towns and inform police there where they work if it is for a job of more than five days. But that information is not automatically shared with those departments.

Morrison’s bill is awaiting a hearing in the Senate’s criminal law committee.

>>> More via the Highland Park News

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