Illinois Voices for Reform, Inc.
Formation2009
TypeNon-profit organization
PurposeCivil rights advocacy, Reforming sex offender laws
HeadquartersDekalb, Illinois
Founder
Tonia Maloney
Executive Director
Will Mingus
Websitewww.ilvoices.com

Illinois Voices for Reform is a non-profit advocacy and support organization for Illinois sex offenders and their families. Founded in 2010, it is dedicated to providing education on issues affecting sex offenders to the public and to legislators.[1][2] Illinois Voices for Reform is an affiliate organization of the National Association for Rational Sexual Offense Laws (NARSOL), and is one of the more than 50 organizations nationwide movement to reform sex offender laws in the United States.

Advocacy

Illinois Voices for Reform says that current laws unfairly stigmatize young and low-risk offenders, such as those engaging in consensual teenage sex or sexting.[3] They believe that laws should be based on research and empirical evidence of what works, and that "feel good" laws based on public hysteria surrounding high-profile, but rare cases waste taxpayer dollars, violate the rights of individuals, and can actually undermine public safety. The group has voiced its concern over laws that do not differentiate between violent and non-violent offenders to Illinois General Assembly.[2] Accordingly, the group heavily objected to Illinois adopting the federal Adam Walsh Act.[4][5] Recently, Illinois Voices for Justice has opposed a sex offender workplace registry bill that was introduced in the Illinois Senate in March 2015.[6] They have also spoken out about police staff shortages that can make it difficult to comply with registration requirements.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "We're Rethinking Prisons. Is It Time to Rethink Sex Offender Registries?". In These Times. 2016-02-18. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
  2. 1 2 "Group tries to educate on sex offenders' rights". Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. 156 (65). 5 April 2010. Archived from the original on 20 August 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  3. ↑ Yeagle, Patrick (24 February 2011). "Advocates: 'Don't prosecute teens for consensual sex'". Illinois Times. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  4. ↑ "Reformers: sex offender mandate would hurt Illinois". Illinois Times. 19 April 2011. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  5. ↑ "Reformers blast sex offender legislation Bill increases restrictions, requirements for sex offenders". Illinois Times. 5 May 2011. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  6. ↑ "Sex offender workplace registry bill sparks debate". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
  7. ↑ "Officer shortage means some sex offenders can't register in Chicago". WGN-TV. 2023-02-01. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
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