Reis Files Child Protection Bill
Legislation would prohibit child sex offenders from being employed by carnivals

August 7, 2006

Springfield.….State Representative David Reis (R- Ste. Marie) has filed legislation in Springfield that would keep child sex offenders from working at carnivals throughout the State of Illinois, carnivals that attract thousands of young children every year.

"Sex offenders look for an opportunity to be around children" said Reis. "Every year our children attend carnivals, festivals and other such events where sexual predators can unknowingly be employed, waiting for that next opportunity."

At present there is nothing in the Sex Offender Registration Act that prohibits a child sex offender from being around children, unless it is at a park, school, or any location designed exclusively for people under the age of 18.

"Sex offenders appear everywhere. They're in Chicago, in Galena, in Cairo, and most places in between" said Reis. "This piece of legislation will help protect them when they are attending these events, busy being children and, in most cases, unmindful to the possible dangers around them."

HB5808 provides that it is 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 course of the last year or so, there has been a rising number of news reports around the country and the state involving alleged acts of criminal misconduct by carnival workers," said Reis "misconduct that raises legitimate questions regarding the safety of our children."

In July 2005, following a convicted sex offender's arrested while operating a kiddie-ride at a carnival, the vice-president of one of Illinois' largest amusement companies was quoted as saying "we have to weed these people out of our industry."

"This legislation will do just that" Reis said. "There's nothing more contemptible than a child sex offender. We must do everything in our power to keep them away from our children and our communities."