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* Local sheriff leads the charge against the next outrage…
The bill is sponsored by Rep. Camille Lilly, who buckled to pressure last year and tabled a different controversial bill after the public heat became too intense.
*** UPDATE *** Email…
Good Afternoon Rich-
I saw the post today on Capitol Fax regarding HB 3913, the bill that removes barriers for people on the sex offender registry. James Medrick doesn’t seem to understand that the sex offender registry has proven to be an ineffective method to ensure public safety. However, it is effective at continually letting legislators and law enforcement off the hook for failing to actually respond to survivors’ needs and addressing sexual violence.
As an organization that advocates for survivors, we support HB 3913. We understand the importance of reducing or eliminating punishments that are not evidence-based and redirecting resources to real prevention strategies and support for survivors. Also, lowering the housing restrictions (from 500 ft to 250 ft) will help address the housing crisis created by the sex offender registry in Chicago and elsewhere among people with sex offenses who have homes but legally cannot live in them when they exit prison.
If you are interested in learning about or sharing our perspective, this blog post details our position. You can also see a short synopsis of our view in our Legislative Priorities for 2021. Also, feel free to reach out if you would like to speak to someone at CAASE about this issue.
Thank you for your time!
–
Hayley Forrestal | Communications ManagerChicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation
* Press release…
Senate GOP Leader Dan McConchie on the need for executive power changes
“One year ago, Gov. Pritzker issued his first executive order, granting him sole decision-making power for millions of Illinoisans,” said Illinois Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods). “Over the next twelve months, the governor extended his state of emergency power by delivering executive order after executive order—a total of 76 times, shutting down our economy and making massive public health decisions without the inclusion of the legislature or the communities we represent. This go-it-alone strategy is not representative of our democracy, which is why I have introduced Senate Bill 103, requiring the General Assembly to approve any subsequent renewal of emergency powers after the initial 30-day state of emergency declaration.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated our families and businesses in Illinois. We must learn from this horrible situation and improve our governing process to allow for more seats at the decision-making table to reach better outcomes. I believe that this bill will help ensure Illinois has the most effective response possible in any future pandemic or disaster.”
The bill is co-sponsored by Republican Sens. Sue Rezin, Jason Barickman and Terri Bryant.
* W3D Country…
Abortion clinics would be required to offer patients the opportunity to view an ultrasound under legislation State Representative Paul Jacobs (R-Pomona) is sponsoring.
House Bill 683 would create the Ultrasound Opportunity Act. It would require attending physicians, referring physicians or other qualified personnel to offer any woman seeking an abortion after 8 weeks of gestation the opportunity to receive and view an active ultrasound prior to an abortion being performed.
“This legislation does not require abortion clinics to show patients ultrasounds but merely requires them to at least make the offer to do so,” Jacobs said. “There is no question that seeing an ultrasound has a big impact and can change people’s minds about having an abortion. But women should have all of the facts before making such a big decision and besides, anyone who is pro-choice should be in favor of legislation that gives women more choice and that is what my bill does.”
* NPR Illinois…
The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred a renewed focus on mental health issues, particularly among students. Some Illinois lawmakers say schools must bolster suicide prevention procedures to better identify warning signs.
Back in 2015, the General Assembly passed “AnnMarie’s law,” named after 11-year-old AnnMarie Blaha of Orland Park, who died by suicide after two classmates allegedly set up fake profiles on social media and persuaded her to take her own life.
The law called for the Illinois State Board of Education to develop a statewide suicide awareness and prevention policy for schools. Prevention policies must include reporting procedures, intervention methods, and professional development training for teachers and staff.
The House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee this week passed HB 577 , which is aimed at building on AnnMarie’s law by specifically identifying in state statute groups of students who are more at-risk of committing suicide — including students who are homeless, identify as LGBTQ, or suffer from substance abuse.
* Related…
* Vegetable gardener takes fight to the Illinois Capitol
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Mar 15, 21 @ 10:34 am
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It is my understanding that the change to the offenders registry for homeless is due to an abuse of this process by the cook county sheriff department failing to allow registration without an address, even though ‘homeless’ is a valid option. Immediately afterwards then arresting those same people for failing to register, even though their attempt to register was refused by the sheriff department.
It’s been a few years so my details might be fuzzy, but that was the general situation back then. However, the change of 250ft is completely unnecessary and should not be implemented.
Next:
“requiring the General Assembly to approve any subsequent renewal of emergency powers after the initial 30-day state of emergency declaration.”
That should be a fun session the next time the Mississippi river floods for 6 weeks. Some people may want their “freedom” to ride a jetski through their flooded downtowns after 4 weeks.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Monday, Mar 15, 21 @ 10:49 am
So good to see Rep Jacobs explain the pro choice movement.. Will he be touting his Pro Choice narratives in his district during his upcoming election? Paul Jacobs the Pro Choice candidate for you, should play really well.
Comment by Frank talks Monday, Mar 15, 21 @ 10:56 am
=That should be a fun session the next time the Mississippi river floods for 6 weeks.=
Let alone a repeat of the ‘93 Great Floods (many areas above flood stage over 6 months).
Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Monday, Mar 15, 21 @ 10:58 am
I see the ILGOP is really going after that suburban female vote with Jacobs’ too clever by half pro-life bill.
Those of us who know Jacobs, and I was a patient of his, know he isn’t nearly as clever as he thinks.
Comment by Flying Elvis'-Utah Chapter Monday, Mar 15, 21 @ 11:13 am
===“This legislation does not require abortion clinics to show patients ultrasounds but merely requires them to at least make the offer to do so,”===
Today’s fascism but with extra steps was brought to you by Rep. Paul Jacobs. New to the job, Rep Paul Jacobs wants to make sure every one knows that he doesn’t believe women have rights, and wants to force your MEDICAL doctor to try to make you feel bad and to prevent you from exercising a human right that’s afforded to you by the virtue of existing!
But it’s okay for Rep Paul Jacobs to be a fascist, because he finished an optometry doctoral degree before almost all living women of reproductive age were born, and even though he specialized in eye balls, he is an expert at telling women what to do with their bodies because he is a white man and not an actual medical doctor.
We should make care to refer to him as Rep Paul Jacobs OD so no one mistakes him for being someone legally allowed to practice medicine in the State of Illinois.
Comment by Candy Dogood Monday, Mar 15, 21 @ 11:14 am
If the woman is at the clinic she’s already made her choice.
Comment by Cheryl44 Monday, Mar 15, 21 @ 11:40 am
Why is McKendrick anti-spelling?
Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Mar 15, 21 @ 11:46 am
==required to offer patients the opportunity to view an ultrasound==
Why stop there? Get Unella from Game of Thrones to shout “Shame” during their walk of atonement.
Comment by Jocko Monday, Mar 15, 21 @ 11:49 am
If a person is homeless, by definition they will lack a fixed address and thus not have documentation.
Comment by low level Monday, Mar 15, 21 @ 12:38 pm
To understand the 500 to 250 ft distance change, one would need to do an analysis of what impact it has on available places to stay. Because, it isn’t just “schools and playgrounds.”
Here’s the law: “It is unlawful for a child sex offender with the duty to register to knowingly reside within 500 feet of a playground, child care institution, day care center, part day child care facility, day care home, group day care home, or a
facility providing programs or services exclusively directed toward persons under 18 years of age.”
When you start drawing a 500-ft buffer around every place on the list, you can end up with a situation where there is no place for a registered offender to live, making them homeless and very difficult to keep track of, making it difficult for them to be employed and, hopefully, on track to regaining some place as a contributing member of society.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Mar 15, 21 @ 12:43 pm
== to allow for more seats at the decision-making table to reach better outcomes.==
If the Darren Bailey’s and his ilk of the world are going to be at that table, then thanks but no thanks.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Mar 15, 21 @ 12:53 pm
James Mendrick: “Scary times.”
“This Bill says we should amend to allow registered sex offenders to be within 250 feet of a school or playground instead of the established 500 feet.”
There is no rational reason to think the extra 250 feet closer will cause a sex offender to act.
From the center for child welfare.org: “Who Are Offenders Likely to Target? Most sexual offenders are committed by someone the victim knows - either a family member, friend, intimate partner, or acquaintance”. About 27% of offenders are strangers.”
Also: “No research has shown that these restrictions lead to a decrease in sexual reoffending. On the other hand, professionals are concerned that laws that banish or restrict housing options for offenders may eliminate the stability and support that offenders need to be successful in the community.”
Also this: “the U.S. Department of Justice followed every sex offender released in almost 15 states for three years. The recidivism rate? Just 3.5 percent. These numbers have been subsequently verified in study after study. The state of Connecticut Criminal Justice Policy and Planning Division did a five-year study that found a recidivism rate of 3.6 percent. A Maine study found that released sex offenders were arrested for a new sex crime at a rate of 3.9 percent. Government studies in Alaska, Delaware, Iowa, and South Carolina have also replicated these results—all finding same-crime recidivism rates of between 3.5 and 4 percent.“
http://centerforchildwelfare.org/kb/SexualAbuse/needtoknow_fs.pdf
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-watch/wp/2017/03/09/the-big-lie-about-sex-offenders/
Comment by Muddy trail Monday, Mar 15, 21 @ 12:57 pm
Hopefully Rep. Paul Jacobs will ensure state funding exists for his abortion clinic mandate. Please make the checks out directly to the clinics. We are tired of mandates without funding.
Comment by Kayak Monday, Mar 15, 21 @ 1:26 pm
==even though he specialized in eye balls==
I laughed even harder when I typed that out. Thank you for that one today, Candy.
Comment by EssentialWorkingMom Monday, Mar 15, 21 @ 1:27 pm
I’ve been following Nicole Virgil’s story for several years. The article is off-base about the neighbors. Nicole’s neighbors support her and dozens of them regularly showed up to council and committee meetings when they still had hopes Elmhurst would show good faith. https://tinyurl.com/7nes46mu
Comment by yinn Monday, Mar 15, 21 @ 1:39 pm
Not the best week for cops to speak for sexual assault victims who didn’t ask them to, sheriff.
Comment by crazybleedingheart Monday, Mar 15, 21 @ 3:42 pm
@yinn
Well, all but one neighbor anyway.
It seems the overwhelming majority in Elmhurst support the Virgils, and certainly the overwhelming majority of those who spoke out. It’s behind the scenes that gets it done in Elmhurst though.
Comment by Watcher of the Skies Monday, Mar 15, 21 @ 4:06 pm
I am the Director of the Housing Team at the Shriver Center on Poverty Law, part of the coalition pushing this bill. I agree with Sheriff Mendrick that sexual assault prevention is our main priority and of the utmost importance.
The reason I chose to support this bill is that residency restrictions have been exhaustively researched and do not prevent sexual abuse or assault. Not only do they fail to prevent sexual violence, but they increase the social breakdowns that lead to crime, including sexual assault; the Sex Offenses and Sex Offender Registration Task Force, formed by the General Assembly, concluded in a 2018 report that residency restrictions “can prevent people convicted of sex offending from engaging in pro-social activities, such as work, that guard against reoffending.” I decided that I care more about protecting the public than hurting people with past convictions for sex offenses.
As was noted, the bill’s changes in weekly requirements are a matter of common sense. Currently, homeless registrants (on several registries) have to re-register 51 times more often than people with fixed addresses. All other registration requirements remain the same. This bill stops targeting people simply because they are homeless but still requires people to register annually or quarterly, and anytime any other information changes.
Remember that most people in this category are homeless because of these laws. In fact, most had safe and stable housing but were forced into homelessness as the restriction zones constantly shift. This bill would open up some housing and reduce homelessness.
Having to register every week prevents people from maintaining stable employment and taking care of their families. Several men pay rent and take care of their kids but have to sleep on trains at night because of these laws. There are men who have to take their kids with them to register. This is simply not sustainable for already indigent persons.
One of our main partners on this bill is CAASE, a victim advocates group along with many other groups who have seen the damage caused by these laws. The question here is not ‘do you care about victims of sexual violence?’ but rather ‘do you care about hurting people with past sex offense convictions more than preventing sexual assault’?
Comment by Eric Sirota, Shriver Center on Poverty Law Monday, Mar 15, 21 @ 4:11 pm
The National Assc. for Rational Sexual Offense Laws — NARSOL — is in support of this bill. The key is “rational.” No residency or proximity restriction is shown to be effective at reducing child sexual offense. There is NO empirical support for these restrictions. It is not rational to advocate for laws that not only are not supported by any evidence, but also are shown to have negative collateral consequences that work against public safety.
Comment by Sandy Rozek Wednesday, Mar 17, 21 @ 11:57 am