Sex Offenders Don't Want Restrictions Enforced: Lawsuit

Springfield, IL - A group of registered child sex offenders has filed a federal lawsuit claiming the restrictions meant to keep them from places where children might be present aren't fair.

Several Illinois statutes prevent registered offenders from crossing paths with people younger than 18 at certain facilites or events, and the suit claims these rules are vague and unconstitutional, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The suit seeks to stop enforcement of those state statutes, and it names as defendants Lisa Madigan, Illinois attorney general, and Leo Schmitz, director of the Illinois State Police.

The Sun-Times quotes the suit as stating:

“The vague prohibitions set forth in these statutes unconstitutionally interfere with the Plaintiffs’ fundamental rights, including their right to engage in free speech, their right to practice their religions, and their right to organize their family affairs.”

The offenders involved in the suit are not identified, but the Journal-Courier reports five of them are men, one is a woman and most of them live in northern or central Illinois.

The plaintiffs complain the restrictive statutes violate their rights by preventing them from attending Fourth of July parades, church activities, going to the library or parks and participating in trick-or-treating.

The suit says the plaintiffs were convicted of their crimes against children, but they have not reoffended, the Associated Press reports.