SPRINGFIELD, IL - State Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) has teamed up with State Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) to expand the state’s Sex Offender Registry. Batinick has introduced House Bill 2548, known as “Stephanie’s Law,” which would give judges the discretionary authority to require that individuals convicted of battery register as sex offenders if it is determined that the individual's intent was sexual.
“As a father, I feel it’s imperative that we do everything we can to protect all citizens from sexual predators. Stephanie’s Law would close a loophole in the current statute and give our judges additional discretion in placing those who commit sexually motivated batteries on the Sex Offender Registry,” said Batinick.
Stephanie’s Law would amend the Sex Offender Registry Statute allowing a judge to order a criminal defendant to register as a sex offender for a 10-year period if the offender’s intent was to commit the crime for purposes of sexual gratification. Prosecutors would be required to offer proof of this motivation at trial. In the event that a conviction is found, the judge would have the full discretion to add the convicted criminal to the registry.
Will County State’s Attorney Jim Glasgow said: “This amendment will give prosecutors and judges an additional tool to keep people safe. Kendall County State’s Attorney Eric Weis commented: "Requiring offenders to register is just one more safeguard to prevent others from becoming future victims." DuPage State’s Attorney Robert Berlin responded: "This new legislation will provide us with yet another tool in our chest to hold those found guilty of sexually motivated crimes accountable for their actions."
