ONE former offender commits a new offense, and 10,000 former offenders will pay for his crime. UNBELIEVABLE, politicians have far too much power and wield it to keep them in office and not to protect the public. This will clearly destroy lives of former offenders, and many their marriages, and many children of these offenders will suffer. I hope this politician can sleep well, if one of the former offenders' children is murdered -by some vigilante- because of his bill.5-18-2010 Illinois:
Under Measure, No One Convicted Before Registry Took Effect Would Be Able To Skirt Requirement
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CBS) ― The names of tens of thousands of sex offenders may soon be added to the state registry.
These are offenders who have come off the list or were never put on it because they committed their crimes prior to 1999.
New legislation to register these offenders was prompted by a Dave Savini investigation.
"What happened to me happened to me for a reason -- that I'd be the one to share my story," said former assault victim Mindy.
Mindy is both a salon owner and artist who has painted a new picture for the children of Illinois in the form of a new law to protect them from sex offenders.
"These people are dangerous and something needs to be done," Mindy said.
Mindy kept her last name private, but went public with the story of her abduction and assault, which happened 30 years ago in Niles. She was seven. The offender, James Kurtzer, served only three years but never had to be on the list of registered sex offenders because he got out before the law that tracks them went into effect. Now he's still living in Niles in the same neighborhood where he abducted Mindy.
Mindy said her goal was to be a "voice for all the children who never made it home and for all the innocent children that can't protect themselves."
The 2 Investigators tracked down Kurtzer and told Mindy's story six months ago. Kurtzer represents thousands of offenders not on the public registry because they were released prior to 1999.
Kurtzer had no comment for CBS 2, except to say he didn't want to be on any list. All that is about to change, because state lawmakers passed what they called "Mindy's Bill" this month.
State Sen. Iris Martinez (D-Chicago.) created the bill based on Mindy's story. Martinez doesn't think there should be any grandfather clause when it comes to sex offenders.
Mindy's testimony in Springfield led to new proposed rules that will require a staggering number of offenders to now register their whereabouts -- no matter how old the crime.
"I think the victims need to know this at all times. Families need to know this at all times," Martinez said.
Just this month, another sex offender, Martin Weis, not on the registry because his crime was old, moved into a new neighborhood where he allegedly molested a child. He even got a job at a carnival. The new law would track offenders like him and Kurtzer for life.
"It meant a lot to me to take something so terrible and turn the whole thing into something positive for others," Mindy said.
The legislation would require all adult sex offenders to be registered no later than five days after the bill goes into law. The bill -- which was also sponsored by State Rep. Deb Mell -- is now headed to the governor's office. ..Source.. Dave Savini
2 comments:
The silver-lining on all of this: I suggest everyone reading this comment should follow the link to "CBS 2" and read the article...THEN, click on the "Show Comments" section. A vast majority of comments are against this garbage. Yes, there are a few Nancy Grace huggers out there. But, they, by far, are the minority now! Not too long ago, they were the majority. WHY? Because people are opening their eyes and realizing the truth - that these registries are bogus and do nothing in their current form. To me, this is VERY encouraging. It's almost as though the people with the torches and pitch forks are AGAINST the registry now. As an RSO who DID NOT harm anyone, I find this very encouraging. As a father of a 6-year-old, I find it comforting. Maybe one day HE will have a normal childhood because his dad is no longer on a list of lies. Please, go to the CBS 2 article and add to the comments. You don't need to have a login...you can comment with just a name and email (like on here). I believe this law will be overturned in court, and I hope, for the thousands who are not on the registry and are facing being put on there, that they slap an injunction on this thing immediately! If you are an IL resident and facing being put on there, contact your attorney or the ACLU RIGHT NOW!!!!
This retroactive sex offender bill is for safety not punishment. It is for level 3 offenders that have an incurable disease & are a threat to us all. We have a right to know if a convicted level 3 offender is living near us or our children. We also have the right to know this information before we allow this kind of person into our lives & homes. This isn't for the 18yr old who made out with a 16yr old at a party.
Post a Comment