Registered sex offenders living in Unincorporated Cook County were once again notified to check in with the Sheriff’s Office, in order to re-register, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced today.
Notifications went out to all registered sex offenders in Unincorporated Cook County that they were required to appear in one of 4 chosen locations on April 21st, between 11:00am and 7:00pm to re-register as a sex offender in Illinois. State law requires that all sex offenders in Illinois re-register once a year, with their respective law enforcement agencies. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office usually requires sex offenders to do this at least two times a year.
In addition to re-registering, the offenders are each required to view a video which reiterates the responsibilities and rules they are required to know and follow, as a sex offender in Illinois. Including, but not limited to, restrictions on the proximity of their home address in relation to parks and schools; employment restrictions; internet restrictions and updating their home address and employment information on a regular basis. It also explains any new laws that have been put in place that they need to be aware of.
In total, there are 63 registered sex offenders in Unincorporated Cook County and 13 in Ford Heights that the Sheriff’s Office is responsible for keeping track of. All 76 were accounted for and re-registered.
In addition to random check-ins, the Sheriff’s Office also conducts unannounced visits to sex offenders homes throughout the year to ensure that they are all in compliance with the rules and regulations they are required to follow.
A list of registered sex offenders in Unincorporated Cook County and Ford Heights can be found at www.cookcountysheriff.org or for a complete list of registered sex offenders in Illinois visit www.isp.state.il.us/sor