In September, CTJC held our very first in-person Know Your Rights training about the Illinois Murder Registry Here is a summary about your rights and registering
What is the IL Murder Registry?
The first registry for violent crimes in Illinois was the sex offender registry, created in 1986. In the 1990s, non-sexual crimes against young people were added to the sex offender registry, and in January 2012, the Illinois Murder Registry was created, which separated the two registries and created mandatory registration for violent crimes against adults
Crimes beyond murder that require someone to register on the IL Murder Registry include involuntary manslaughter, aggravated battery, kidnapping, and home invasion.
Illinois is one of five states to implement a registry for violent crimes. The others include Indiana, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Montana.
Key Facts about the Murder Registry
People receive no annual notification to register, only initial notification upon their release
The police give people "fail to register" charges with impunity to force people to register for longer.
Individuals in our community have been killed because their addresses are publicly listed
People on the registry must notify the police if they leave town for even a few days, and the police can show up at their address at any time without a warrant. This impacts everyone who lives in the household, including children.
Currently, there are over 8,200 people on the Illinois Murder Registry, who are significantly impacted by it when they reenter society after prison
The Five Registries
Illinois has five public conviction registries. Below are the five and their basic requirements:
Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registry - Must register annually for 10 years. If the victim was 18 or under, individuals must register for the remainder of their life, and those who are houseless must register weekly. Must report any changes to address, employment, school within 5 days of change.
Sex Offender Registry - Must register annually for 10 years, unless you are classified as a “sexual predator,” in which case you are required to register for the rest of your life. See the registry site other presence and housing requirements.
Gun Offender Registry - Must register a total of 5 times annually. Must report any changes to address, employment, school within 5 days of change
Arsonist Registry - Must register annually a total of 10 years. Must report any changes to address, employment, school within 5 days of change.
Methamphetamine Manufacturer Registry - more information to come
A sign posted at a registry site in Chicago.
What You Need to Know About Registering
You must renew your registration within one year from the date of your most recent registration until your expungement date.
Failure to comply with the provisions of the Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registration Act is a class 3 felony It is a class 2 felony if you have a second or subsequent conviction for violation of this act. Any person who is required to register under this act who knowingly or willfully gives material information required by this act that is false is guilty of a class 3 felony Failure to comply with any provision of the act mandates revocation of probation, mandatory supervised release, parole, or conditional release.
The term of registration will be administratively extended by the Illinois State Police 10 years for failure to comply with any provisions of the act.
You must register within 5 days of conviction when sentenced to probation or upon release, parole, or discharge from a prison or mental hospital Any person required to register under this act who lacks a fixed residence must notify the agency with jurisdiction.
If you need to establish a residence or employment outside of Illinois, you must report in person to the agency with whom you last registered in Illinois at least 10 days prior.
If you attend a school, post secondary, trade, professional institution, institution of higher education or are employed in another state, you must register in both states within 5 days of beginning school or employment All changes of school status(commencement or termination) and employment must be reported within 5 days of change.
There is a one-time initial registration fee of $20. After this, there is an annual registration fee of $10 per year
Common Mistakes the Police Make & What To Do
They don’t complete the registration process Make sure all dates, etc. are completed, initialed, and signed with correct information.
Police often think that all of your vehicles must be registered You only have to register the vehicle you currently drive.
Police often put individuals who should be in the IL Murder Registry on the IL Sex Offense Registry. Check your status and call (217) 785-0653 if you are registered incorrectly.
Common Mistakes People Make on the Registry
Assuming that they don’t have to register their car, school, etc immediately
The belief that if I don’t live in Chicago (i.e Joliet etc.), then I don’t have to register.
When I complete my registration I don’t have to follow up
What is Compliant vs. Non Compliant
A person becomes “non-compliant” when they fail to register with the local law enforcement agency within 5 days of notification by the Illinois Department of Corrections or the Court, register annually, register quarterly (if applicable), provide complete and accurate information to law enforcement personnel during registration, and/or change their address or other information without notifying law enforcement personnel. In addition to being listed as “non-compliant,” a person may be listed with a “location unknown” status
A person is “compliant” when they have met the registration requirements and are registered correctly in the system
Note: Sometimes people are registered “non-compliant” by mistake. If this happens, call (217) 785-0653.
How to Look Yourself Up on the Registry
Step 1 - Go to https://isp.illinois.gov/MVOAY/Disclaimer
Step 2 - Scroll down and click “agree”
Step 3 - Type in your information on the left hand side where there is a space for first and last name, city, zip code, county, status, and offender type. You do NOT need to type in all of this information, but it can narrow the search down if you have a common name.
Step 4 - If there is nothing written under “status” you are compliant. Otherwise, under status you will be listed as “non-compliant.”
Step 5 - You can click details to see more information
Where to Register
Currently, in Chicago, those on the gun, murder, and arson registries living on the West side should register at the Western and Belmont Police Station. People who live on the South side AND people with Sex Offense convictions must register at 90th and Cottage Grove. If you live outside of Chicago, contact your local police department about registration
Do you have questions about the Murder Registry? Write to Rebecca Wilson-Bretz or Naji Ublies at CTJC using the address below.
Tell IL Legislators to End Truth-in-sentencing
To date, Illinois' truth-in-sentencing law has cost Illinois taxpayers approximately $900M. However, the truth-in-sentencing law has only had a "marginal and diminishing effect on decreasing community crime " Furthermore, Illinois' truth-insentencing law undermines the Illinois Department of Correction's (IDOC) rehabilitation efforts by serving to limit who has access to rehabilitation programs. Lastly, Illinois' prisons are facing a water crisis where incarcerated people in dozens of prisons are being poisoned by the water.
Whereas, passing HB5219 will save Illinois taxpayers approximately $1B total and grant IDOC to ability to have more people to participating in rehabilitation programs. If Illinois wants to be more fiscally responsible while also being serious about crime, Illinois needs to pass HB5219!
Sign the petition:
BIT.LY/END-TRUTH-IN-SENTENCING
Voice from Inside
A Tale Called Strength and Courage
by Yusef Kareem Brown
For many years I felt invisible and unappreciated by myself. That led me down a path of self-destruction and shame. Today I praise my God with Great Honor and dignity. Once upon a time, I couldn’t do that. I was so ashamed to admit my truth to anyone including myself. No excuses anymore, so please allow me to explain. I was a drug addict, prostitute, gang member, and selfish person. Somedays I think I’m still that person from so long ago.
The truth is we are all battling something. Trying to feel special, important, and relevant. Most of us are battling a temptation, children or family members. Whatever battlefield you are on, I want to do a service of encouragement and give you strength and courage knowing you are loved by me. More than that, I want you to be equipped and prepared for these battles and challenges you face daily. Hold onto that fundamental quality of strength and courage that on the other side there is something good that’s going to happen for you Please keep strength and courage within to talk about it.
P.S. Listen to an album called l Look To You by Queen Whitney Houston, song #6 “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength”.
Are you an artist? Submit art to be featured in CTJC’s next community art project!
We’d like to put together a community art project as part of the Love-a-thon, our end-of-year fundraiser. Last year, 15 incarcerated artists participated in our first inside-outside collaborative project, a wall calendar This year’s concept comes from a prompt we’ve been reflecting on this year: What do you see when you look in the mirror? Submit your work to us, including a description of your art and a short artist biography. Visual art and poetry will be considered. Submissions accepted on a rolling basis through the end of the year.
Chicago Torture Justice Center
Art Submission
6337 S. Woodlawn Ave Chicago, IL 60637
The 2024 collaborative wall calendar project
What Do You Want to Know About Reentry?
What would you like to know about reentry? Forward any questions, thoughts, programs you might be interested in to La Tanya Jenifor-Sublett, Director of Programs and Supportive Services. Let me be your resource guide! What do you want to know about, and what resources can I connect you with?
La Tanya Jenifor-Sublett
6337 S Woodlawn Avenue Chicago IL, 60637
Do you need support for your next court date?
The CTJC offers support and accompaniment to survivors' court dates We know that navigating the legal system can be daunting, retraumatizing, and often lonely. Do you have an upcoming court date that you would like support with? Please reach out to organizer Mark Clements with the following information:
Name:
Judge:
Case Status:
Turnout preference (minimal, as many as possible etc.):
Attorney name, phone and email:
Hearing from our community
Address inquiries to: Mark Clements
6337 S Woodlawn Ave Chicago, IL 60637
The Chicago Torture Justice Center is the first and only Center in the United States dedicated to serving survivors of domestic torture. This work is truly unprecedented, and we can only do it with the power, wisdom, and brilliance of our community. Feedback from our community and participants is crucial to the growth and impact of our work
We would love to hear from those who have participated in any of our programs or activities
While we are working on a survey exclusively for people inside, we unfortunately cannot accept surveys from incarcerated participants at this time. If you are incarcerated and your loved ones are CTJC participants, we encourage you to share this survey with them
For any questions about the survey, please write to Gina Tarullo at CTJC or send an email to gina@chicagotorturejustice org
