IL- New trick-or-treat curfew, age limits, sex offender rules proposed in Belleville

Here is one to get the ACLU going; hopefully! Several good issues, and Hey, why not waste taxpayer's money fighting stupid ordinances allegedly mecessary because teenagers rang someone's doorbell after 9 PM..

10-17-2008 Illinois:

BELLEVILLE -- This Halloween, at least in Belleville, trick-or-treaters may have a curfew of 8:30 p.m. and high schoolers may no longer be allowed to partake in the tradition. Also, child sex offenders may be required to stay away from trick-or-treaters.

The City Council will vote Monday on the proposed Halloween restrictions in its first measure to regulate activities on the holiday.

Police Chief William Clay said that some residents had complained to city leaders about older trick-or-treaters ringing doorbells after 9 p.m., so city leaders asked him to put together an ordinance. The draft measure sets hours for trick-or-treating -- 5 to 8:30 p.m. -- and says those children above the eighth grade level won't be allowed to trick-or-treat, unless they are special needs children who are accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The draft ordinance also says people over the age of 12 can only wear masks on Halloween; the rest of the year, if the ordinance passes, they won't be allowed to disguise their identity in public.
If the ordinance passes, those who have been convicted of a sex offense against a child under the age of 17 and are required to register as a sex offender won't be allowed to give out candy to children or participate in any other Halloween events where children, other than those in their own family, are present. The child sex offenders also would be required to turn their lights off between 4 and 11 p.m. on Halloween.

The City Council meets at 7 p.m. Monday in the City Council Chambers at 101 S. Illinois St. in Belleville. ..News Source.. by News-Democrat