JOLIET (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - The city of Joliet is moving ahead with plans to build a park that would force out registered sex offenders living in a nearby apartment building.
Before the vote, resident James Lanham spoke in favor of the proposal to buy the fire-damaged home Moran and Center for $124,000.
“I don’t think I have to really encourage any of you to all vote ‘yes’ for that, so let’s do that. Let’s get this problem taken care of,” Lanham said at the meeting.
They did approve the spending, after councilman Pat Mudron asked the city’s lawyer for clarification about what it would mean for some five sex offenders living in an apartment building a block away.
“As I understand it, we’re going with the logic that if it’s a park, within a specific distance, the individuals that are occupying this house, will have to move out?” Mudron questioned.
The lawyer confirmed. The state bans sex offenders from living within 500 feet of a school or park.
Cunningham neighborhood residents told the Herald News they’re happy to see the boarded-up home on the property replaced by a park, and support the idea of making the sex offenders move. Kenny Smalley said the neighborhood kids are aware of the apartment and they’re all creeped out.
Owners of the NewDay Apartments told the paper the law does not apply to all sex offenders, and the park won’t stop them from moving tenants into the building.
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