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Gov. Blagojevich signs law to
prohibit convicted sex offenders from working at carnivals, county
fairs statewide
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Legislation provides prison sentences of up to three years and hefty
penalties for violators
[August 11, 2007]
SPRINGFIELD -- As the 2007 Illinois
State Fair kicked off, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich signed legislation
Thursday that provides greater protections for millions of children
who visit carnivals and fairs throughout the state. The governor
signed
House Bill 156, sponsored by state Rep. David Reis, R-Olney, and
state Sen. Randall Hultgren, R-Wheaton, to prevent convicted felons
from working at county fairs when minors are present.
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"Carnival rides and fairs attract
children of all ages and are the last place a sex offender should be
working," said Blagojevich. "This law will help protect children and
their families while they're enjoying rides and attractions at fairs
and festivals." House Bill 156 amends the Illinois Criminal Code
and provides that it is unlawful for a convicted sex offender to
knowingly operate, manage, be employed by or be associated with any
county fair when children younger than 18 years of age are present.
Currently, it is unlawful for a child sex offender to knowingly
reside within 500 feet of a playground, child care institution, day
care center, part-day child care facility, or a facility providing
programs or services exclusively directed toward children younger
than 18. The new legislation extends these protections by
prohibiting the employment and presence of convicted sex offenders
at county fairs. A violation of this provision would be a Class 4
felony, which carries a prison sentence of one to three years and a
maximum penalty of $25,000.
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 "Thousands of children enjoy rides at county fairs and carnivals
throughout the state, and now parents can feel more confident
knowing that there are additional safety and security protections in
place from dangerous criminals, sex offenders and predators," said
Reis, House sponsor of the legislation. "Carnival owners and
operators will need to be aware of these much-needed safety measures
before allowing any worker to operate children's rides and other
attractions."
"Visiting county fairs is a tradition among many Illinois
families, and we want to help continue this tradition by protecting
our children when they visit and enjoy the rides and attractions,"
said Hultgren. "Preventing convicted sex offenders from working or
being on the premises of a county fair will help make these fairs
safer in Illinois."
House Bill 156 goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2008.
[Text from file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information] |
