Protecting Illinois citizens by making more information available about registered sex offenders is the aim of a new law sponsored by Senator Tim Bivins.

Signed by the Governor July 18, Senate Bill 3293 requires registered sex offenders to provide law enforcement with their current telephone and cell phone numbers, and notify them about any changes within three days. The Illinois State Police must also be notified of the change by the law enforcement agency within three days.

“This issue was brought to my attention by a police officer in northwestern Illinois who discovered that a sex offender had a cell phone with lewd pictures on it. When examining the law, we found that a registered offender had to provide their employer’s telephone number and their parole agent’s number, but not their own telephone number or their cell phone number,” Senator Bivins said. “Senate Bill 3293 closes that loophole.”

The 45th District Senator says with technology changing so quickly, the law must be updated to help law enforcement keep better tabs on registered sex offenders.

“There is a potential danger and threat that registered sex offenders can use these phones to circumvent some parts of the law. You can access the Internet from a cell phone. You can take photographs and transmit them with a cell phone,” Senator Bivins said. “We must be sure the law covers all means of communication.”

In a press release announcing the new law, Governor Pat Quinn concurred.

“Modern technology has made communication faster and easier, but it has also made children more vulnerable to exploitation,” Governor Quinn stated. “This package of bills will help keep children safe from harmful sexual predators.”

Passed by the Senate March 15 and by the House of Representatives April 22, Senate Bill 3293 has a January 1, 2011, effective date.