SPRINGFIELD, IL - Legislation sponsored by Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) that makes it clear sex offenders must report to law enforcement when they lose a job, won approval in the Illinois Senate Thursday, March 4.

"Although it was clearly the intent of state law that sex offenders should report when they lose a job, a recent court ruling drew a distinction between a 'change' in employment and losing a job," Barickman explained.

Illinois law states that sex offenders must report a change in employment, but a recent appellate court ruling found that losing a job was not the same as a 'change' in employment, thus creating a loophole that needed to be closed, Barickman explained.

"I appreciate that members of the Pontiac Police Department and the McLean County State's Attorney's office brought this to my attention so we could address this problem," Barickman said.

Under Senate Bill 2912, a registered sex offender who loses his or her employment must report in person to the law enforcement agency where he or she last registered within three days of losing a job. This mirrors the requirement for a change in employment.

Following a 47-2 vote in the Senate, the measure now moves to the Illinois House.

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