Prairie State Wire

Illinois Democratic state senators have proposed legislation that would reduce residency restrictions for registered child sex offenders, lowering the required distance they must maintain from schools and childcare facilities.

Introduced by Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford and co-sponsored by Sens. Adriane Johnson and Mary Edly-Allen, Senate Bill 2254 seeks to amend the Criminal Code of 2012 and the state’s sex offender registration laws.

Under the proposed changes, the restricted zone around schools and childcare institutions would shrink from 500 feet to 250 feet. Additionally, the bill removes day care homes and group day care homes from the list of places offenders cannot live near. However, it clarifies that those already residing at a location before a restricted entity opens would be allowed to remain.

Another key change in SB2254 eliminates the requirement for homeless individuals on the sex offender registry to report in person to law enforcement every week. Current law mandates that individuals without a fixed residence check in weekly, but the proposed amendment would remove this provision.

The Illinois Sheriff's Association voiced strong opposition to SB2254, arguing that reducing residency restrictions for registered child sex offenders poses a risk to public safety. In a statement, the association emphasized that the current 500-foot buffer zone is a necessary safeguard to protect children and communities from potential harm. Law enforcement officials also criticized the bill’s removal of weekly check-in requirements for homeless offenders, warning that it could make it more difficult to track individuals with a history of predatory behavior.

The bill was filed with the Senate Secretary on February 7, 2025, and was referred to the Assignments Committee the same day. On March 5, Senators Johnson and Edly-Allen were added as co-sponsors. If passed, the legislation would take effect immediately.

Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford has represented Illinois' 4th Legislative District since 1998. In January 2019, Lightford became the first Black woman to serve as Illinois' Senate Majority Leader.