The Halloween law only applies to RSOs who are currently on probation or parole. RSOs who are not under supervision are free to participate in Halloween activities.

As far as I know, only RSOs living in unincorporated Cook County are required to report and watch the 20-minute video. Maybe other counties require RSOs to do something similar, but this is not a statewide law.

Thank you patch

12 to many

I agree, 12 to many!! Its creepy knowing I went to high school with someone on that list. He was a weirdo back then too!

Concerning registered sex offenders listed as "sexual predators," this could benefit from the reporter doing a little homework while writing their story. In IL, being labeled as a "sexual predator" does not automatically mean the offender is any more dangerous than any other RSO. The "sexual predator" classification is solely based on offense. Even a non-violent, no-contact, 1st-time offense can label someone as a "sexual predator." Because so many offenses are listed under the "sexual predator" category, over 50% of all RSOs in IL are classified as "sexual predators."

I would like to see what else the Patch "discovered" about the RSOs in town, such as how many are family men just trying to make a life for themselves by finding work & a home for their families only to be under the microscope every day of the year, especially near Halloween. Or the then 18-yo senor in high school who was dating a junior just shy of 17 who is still paying the price 10+ years later. Why not dig a little deeper and write a story about them?

Lauren,

Thank you for the reply.

I wasn't saying that it was specifically mentioned that those with the "sexual predator" label are more dangerous than other RSOs, just that it would be nice if reporters would dig deeper into what being listed on the registry means. There is no way for the average citizen to understand what the registry is all about. Reading stories in the news is how many of them get this information. It would be helpful if MORE information was given in stories like this. Otherwise, the assumption is that everyone listed on the registry pose a great and immediate danger to society.

One of the limitations of the registry being a useful tool is that it contains inaccurate and misleading information. Someone convicted in a "Romeo & Juliet" relationship most likely has the offense of "Criminal Sexual Abuse." Does the public know what that means? Probably not. Also, sometimes the age listed as age at time of offense is actually the age at time of conviction. A 20- or 21-yo convicted of "Criminal Sexual Abuse" with a victim of 16 sounds a lot worse than an 18-yo with an almost-17-yo girlfriend.

It takes a lot or research to begin to fully understand the information listed on the registry. Unfortunately, many people take it at face value.

I know of at least 85 young men in Illinois who are on the registry for consensual teenage sex - and they had a four-year age difference. Add another year and that number goes up. Most parents of a 15-year-old girl would not want their daughter dating someone 18 - and understandably so. The problem is this is already happening and if a parent calls the police on the 18-year-old, his life is over. He is labeled a sex offender, unable to EVER live near a school, park, day care, etc. and unable to EVER take any future children he might have to day care, school, the park, sporting events, a bike trail, a family reunion in a park, graduations, and so much more. You won't find a case where the offense says "Romeo and Juliet" or "consensual relationship." What you will see is Criminal Sexual Abuse or Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse (because of one more year age difference) or even Criminal Sexual Abuse with force. I personally know a young man who is labeled "with force" ONLY because he took a deal to get rid of a topless photo charge. He and his girlfriend were together for 3 years (he was 19 and she was 16 when he was arrested) and to avoid child pornography charges, a lifetime on the registry, and the label of a "sexual predator," he took the deal. Now it appears as if he raped his long-time girlfriend. He is no threat to your children. Don't be too quick to judge those on the registry. It's easier than you think to find someone you love on the registry ... for life.

Why can we not see the public safety article about the attempted sexual assault?? When you click on it, it opens up the public saftey page, but you cannot access it. Sorry to post my question here, but since it seemed related and I was wondering about the answer. Thanks.

I think the point that is being made is that there may need to be categories or further classifications added. Someone 19 dating someone 17 is not the same as a 60 year old molesting a 5 year old, yet from the information provided it looks like they are.

The point is that if you just click on the link provided all of that information is available to you. It's highlighted in blue under: "Sex Offenders in Your Neighborhood"
Patch simply gave us an over view.

Theres a older man around the corner from me, name is ray sebastin. He stares at females with binoculurs from his window...he is not a rso but gives many the chills. what he does isnt illegal but odd just fyi.

Just another reason to carry a pistol when walking the dog. The 2nd Amendment doesn't stop at your front door.

I think that the Oak Forest police should go to these offenders homes with a decoy and trick or treat, kind of like they use a decoy to try to purchase cigarettes or alcohol from stores. Any offender that opens the door should then be arrested and locked up.
I also question how an offender like Dantoni R. Washington, who was convicted of criminal sexual abuse of a 13 year old when he was 26, can live as close as he does to a child care center, a high school, library, and the Oak Forest Central Park Building Center. I thought there were laws in place to try to keep offenders such as Dantoni far away from places where children congregate.