Reis Files Legislation to Protect Children:
Law to prohibit sex offenders from working carnivals and festivalsJanuary 18, 2007
Springfield.….As carnivals roll into southeastern Illinois and the rest of the state this coming summer, they can bring with them more than the excitement and cotton candy. They can also bring sex offenders, hiding among the many employees. That is why State Representative David Reis (R- Ste. Marie) has introduced legislation in Springfield that will keep child sex offenders from working at carnivals that attract thousands of young children every year.
"With sexual predators it doesn't matter whether they are working the merry-go-round or the corn dog stand" said Reis. "As we all know, carnivals can be very noisy and chaotic which means children can be even more susceptible to these types of predators."
According to Reis, sex offenders look for any opportunity they can find to be around children. Statistics show that every year children attend carnivals, festivals and other such events where sexual predators can unknowingly be employed, waiting for their next opportunity.
Current state law prohibits child sex offenders from being around children in a park, school, or location designed exclusively for people under the age of 18. However, there is nothing in the Sex Offender Registration Act dealing with carnivals.
Under HB156 it will be unlawful for a child sex offender to knowingly operate, manage, be employed by, volunteer at, or be associated with a carnival, circus, street fair, or public festival when persons under the age of 18 are present.
"Over the past three or four years there have been numerous news reports around the state involving acts of misconduct that raise legitimate questions regarding the safety of our children" Reis said.
The list includes a ride operator with a criminal record molesting an 8 year old girl at a festival in Downers Grove while pretending to check her seat belt; a convicted child sex offender operating a merry-go-round at a festival in Palatine; and, a worker at a Glen Ellyn carnival who had a prior arrest for raping a child.
"With our current sex offender registry laws, parents can look at a website and see where these people live and adjust accordingly" said Reis. "It should be no different with carnivals and festivals. Parents need to be assured that the person operating the kiddy ride or concession stand at our county fair isn't a predator."
