Lawmakers Reject Sex Offender Registry Bill

3-4-2011 Illinois:

WSIL TV -- The Illinois House rejected a bill Thursday that would have removed some sex offenders from the state's registry.

The so-called Romeo and Juliet law would have allowed certain young sex offenders to petition a judge for removal from the list. Supporters say they'll continue to push the issue and plan to propose the bill again.

The measure would have only applied to non-violent offenders convicted of a sex crime in their teens or early 20's. The victim had to be at least 14-years-old, and the offender couldn't be more than four years older.

___ is one of those on the Illinois sex registry that stood to benefit from the law. He was convicted of statutory rape in Texas when he was 18.

"I was dating a 14 year old girl, getting ready to be 15, just a high school thing," he explained, "We were in school, she was two grades under me."

___ served four years in prison after his conviction.

"Since then I've just been trying to live a normal life. But it's kind of hard to forget about the past when you're stuck in the past," he told News Three.

___ can't put the incident behind him. He has to check in with Jackson County authorities every 90 days. His tires have been slashed and his car spray painted. And his name will be on the state sex offender registry for years.

"I'm not a rapist and I'm not a child molester. Now I understand people like that, but just for a typical teenage mistake?" ___ said.

He insists the victims' family knew about the relationship and did not want him prosecuted. Now, he would like the opportunity to petition a judge to have his name removed from the sex offender list.

Union County State's Attorney Tyler Edmonds says most of the "Romeo and Juliet" cases are not that clear cut; it's up to prosecutors to use their discretion--

"It often times is something where there are other criminal cases involved, and it's an important part of the plea negotiation that we feel, for the protection of the public, that the person needs to be registered as a sex offender," Edmonds said.

Edmonds would like to see any future legislation written so the offender has to prove why they should be removed from the list. The version rejected Thursday, would have made the state prove why an offender should remain on the registry.

For his part, ___ would like a second chance--a chance to move on, and do everyday activities with his kids.

"They're not just punishing us. They're punishing our whole family," he said. ..Source.. Emily Finnegan