Voice of the Reader: Southern Illinoisans prefer sensible laws over gimmicks
I commend The Southern for the well-researched article asking if we are any safer because of sex offense registration laws.
I was a member of the 2017 Bipartisan Task Force quoted in the article, which gave legislators specific steps to increase public safety. It is extremely distressing that “the General Assembly has not taken any significant action” on our recommendations.
Reforming these laws would improve all outcomes and result in REDUCED COST to the overburdened taxpayers of Illinois.
Most Southern Illinoisans prefer sensible laws to political gimmicks.
I urge legislators to address this extremely important area of public safety and welfare. ENACT THE TASK FORCE GUIDELINES! Start by opening up housing for people made homeless from these impossible laws.
Gary Lemmon
Norris City
What stops them is appearing soft on former offenders. Tougher laws on this population gets them re-elected, regardless of how ineffective or expensive they are.
Lying and corrupt politicians and courts will never change until the facts are news worthy and the voting public that elects them refuse to continue to be sheep.
Re-election and money is what its about!?. Its cold and calculated!!. The legislature’s can go home at night and sleep comfortably with not a thought of impathy for the homeless that used to go home at night and sleep comfortably after working everyday to support their loved one’s ( wife who they need so much to love them and comfort them even though its been 30, 40, 50 yrs. Since they messed up, did their time and moved on to be an active member of society). And their children who needs their dad or mom to help them learn and grow to be a productive member of society). But these laws are very cruel and unusual for a member of this Country. This is not supposed to be a Country with Dictators and ” mean ” uncaring ” Legislatures that only care for themselves and loved one’s. , and their is most likely at least one legislature that has a family member that has a sex offence and most likely doesn’t have to register because they are family!. I could be wrong about that comment but who knows?. Something needs to change in the system!!. How many more Christmases do all the homeless have to suffer from loneliness, sadness?
I read the report. While the report does expose a lot of fallacies about registrants and contains good arguments against the registry, it supports some type of registry.
Forcing persons to register and regulating their conduct is not a valid use of police power. Any registration is unconstitutional.