ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL REMINDS FAMILIES TO CHECK SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY TO PLAN SAFE TRICK-OR-TREAT ROUTES

Chicago — On Halloween, Attorney General Kwame Raoul reminded parents and guardians to check the state’s sex offender registry and with their local law enforcement agency before determining trick-or-treat routes for their children.

“Halloween should be a night of candy, fun, and lighthearted frights, which is why I am encouraging parents, grandparents, and guardians to keep their little ones safe by checking Illinois’ sex offender registry before they trick-or-treat,” Raoul said. “Searching the registry is a quick step families can take before leaving home to make sure they know where sex offenders live in their communities.”

Raoul noted that Illinois law prohibits all sex offenders who committed a crime against a child from distributing candy or others items to children on Halloween. Sex offenders on parole, mandatory supervised release, and probation may have other conditions imposed upon them to protect the public. They may be prohibited from having their porch lights on and from leaving their homes, except for verified work purposes.

As of October 2019, there were more than 32,000 registered sex offenders listed on the Illinois Sex Offender Registry, and more than 26,500 of those committed a crime against a child. The registry is administered by the Illinois State Police.

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