Reitz Backing Legislation to Close Sexual Assault Legal Loophole, Crack Down on Domestic Violence

RED BUD, Ill. – In response to a tragic case of battery from an unregistered sex offender, state Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steeleville, is taking measures to ensure that all offenders convicted of a sexually-motivated violent crime are added to the state sex offender registry.

“People guilty of these heinous crimes deserve to be on the sex offender registry to help keep others safe. When we allow criminals guilty of these crimes to remain unregistered, it is a breakdown in our justice system,” Reitz said. “We owe it to the victims of these terrible crimes to prevent cases like this from happening again, and to ensure that predators receive the just punishment their actions call for.”

Reitz is supporting Stephanie’s Law, legislation that was the result of a sexual assault case in 2013 when a minor was assaulted by her neighbor, and due to a legal loophole, the offender was only convicted of a minor battery charge. Stephanie’s Law requires instances of battery that courts view as “sexually motivated” to require a criminals to be added to the sex offender registry.

“Illinois needs a criminal justice system that issues appropriate punishments for crimes like this,” Reitz said. “By strengthening the penalties for these terrible crimes and making sure that the proper steps are taken to protect and inform people, we can help prevent continued offenses from happening in our communities.”