The SOLAR Project - Sex Offender Legal Advocacy & Reform
📍 STATE GUIDE

Illinois — Registry Rules

Official-source summary for Illinois.

10/11/2025

Key Highlights

  • Residency Restrictions: Illinois law bars certain offenders from residing or loitering within 500 feet of schools, parks, playgrounds, or facilities serving minors if the victim was under 18; see 720 ILCS 5/11-9.3. Some municipalities impose stricter local ordinances expanding distances up to 1,000 feet or adding park zones, which remain enforceable unless inconsistent with state law.
  • Presence / Proximity Rules: Registrants with minor victims may not be present at or near schools, day cares, or public parks without written permission and face limits on entering or remaining in child-centered areas such as pools or playgrounds; see 720 ILCS 5/11-9.4-1. Local ordinances may further restrict loitering near such facilities or at public events for children.
  • Duration of Registration: Standard registration lasts 10 years after discharge from custody or supervision, while lifetime registration applies to sexual predators, sexually dangerous or violent persons, and certain repeat or aggravated convictions; see 730 ILCS 150/7. Duration does not pause during incarceration for unrelated offenses.
  • Tiering / Level System: Illinois does not use numbered tiers but classifies individuals as sex offenders, sexual predators, or juvenile registrants, each with specific reporting frequencies and durations; see 730 ILCS 150/2 and Illinois State Police SOR Unit. These categories govern verification timing rather than federal Tier I–III levels.

At a Glance

  • Most convictions listed in the Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA) require registration; “sexual predators” and persons adjudicated sexually dangerous/sexually violent have enhanced duties. Separate acts cover child murderer/violent offender against youth (MVOAY) registration. See 730 ILCS 150, 730 ILCS 152.
  • Initial deadline: Register in person within 3 days of sentencing or, if confined, within 3 days of release; movers, students, and workers must register within 3 days of establishing residence/school/employment in a county. 730 ILCS 150/3.
  • Verification: Annual in-person reporting for most; every 90 days for sexually dangerous/sexually violent persons; weekly if lacking a fixed residence. 730 ILCS 150/6 & 20 Ill. Admin. Code pt. 1280.
  • Primary method: In person at the local police department or sheriff where you live/work/attend school; ISP maintains the statewide system. See ISP guidance and portal: ISP SOR.
  • ⚠️ Fees: $100 initial + $100 annual (indigency waivable). 730 ILCS 150/3(c)(6).
  • ⚠️ Failure to comply extends registration +10 years from first post-violation registration. 730 ILCS 150/7.
  • ⚠️ Homeless persons must report weekly in person. 730 ILCS 150/6.
  • ⚠️ Out-of-state move: report in person at least 10 days before establishing residence or employment out of Illinois. 730 ILCS 150/6.
  • ⚠️ Internet identifiers (emails, IM/chat, URLs, blogs) must be reported/updated. 730 ILCS 150/3.

Official Links

What this means in practice

  • Illinois uses in-person registration with strict timelines.
  • Most register annually; some must report every 90 days; homeless must report weekly.

Watch-outs

  • Missing a deadline can add 10 years to your term.
  • Moving out of state without the required 10-day notice is a violation.

Timelines and duties come from SORA §§3, 6, 7 and Admin Code pt. 1280. See the statute links above.

Reviewed 10/11/2025

Who Must Register & Duration

Anyone meeting the SORA definition of sex offender or sexual predator must register, including certain out-of-state students/employees who are in Illinois ≥5 days or ≥30 days aggregate in a calendar year. See 730 ILCS 150/2 and out-of-state provisions in 730 ILCS 150/3(a-5).

Duration: Standard registration lasts 10 years after discharge from custody or supervision, while lifetime registration applies to sexual predators, sexually dangerous or violent persons, and certain repeat or aggravated convictions; see 730 ILCS 150/7. Duration does not pause during incarceration for unrelated offenses.

Deadlines & Reporting Triggers

  • Initial: within 3 days of sentencing; if confined, within 3 days of release. 730 ILCS 150/3(c)(3)-(4).
  • Moves/changes (address, employment, school, phone/Internet IDs): report in person within the time in Section 3 and no later than 3 days of change. 730 ILCS 150/6.
  • Out-of-state residence/employment: report in person ≥10 days before establishing it. 730 ILCS 150/6.
  • Out-of-state student/employee present in IL: register within 3 days after beginning school/employment; campus registration also required. 730 ILCS 150/3(a-5).

What this means in practice

  • 3 days to register after sentencing or release.
  • Report address/employment/school/Internet ID changes in person promptly (no later than 3 days).
  • Tell police 10 days before you move or work out of state.

Watch-outs

  • Campus registration may be in addition to city/county registration.

See 730 ILCS 150/3 and §6.

Verification & In-Person Requirements

What this means in practice

  • Annual for most; 90-day for SDPs/SVPs; weekly if homeless.

Watch-outs

  • Agencies can require extra check-ins, up to four times a year.

See §6 and Admin Code 1280.40/.50.

Residency, Presence, & Loitering Restrictions

Illinois imposes presence and residency restrictions for “child sex offenders,” including bans within 500 feet of schools, parks, and other youth facilities, plus presence/loitering limits. See 720 ILCS 5/11-9.3.

What this means in practice

  • Child sex offenders face 500-foot residency bans and presence limits near schools/parks.

Watch-outs

  • Local enforcement is strict; verify distances before signing a lease.

See 720 ILCS 5/11-9.3.

Employment, Education, & Internet Use

  • Employment & student changes must be reported; campus registration required at institutions of higher education. 730 ILCS 150/3(a-5), (d).
  • Report emails, IM/chat IDs, URLs, blogs and updates. 730 ILCS 150/3.
  • Certain roles near children are prohibited for child sex offenders. 720 ILCS 5/11-9.3(c).

Public Website Exposure

  • Illinois State Police maintain a public Sex Offender Registry. ISP SOR.
  • Community notification authority and database publication are governed by the Sex Offender Community Notification Law. 730 ILCS 152.
  • MVOAY has a separate notification/database regime. 730 ILCS 154/85, 95.

Travel & Relocation (Interstate Moves)

  • Before establishing out-of-state residence/employment, report in person ≥10 days prior. 730 ILCS 150/6.
  • Out-of-state students/employees in Illinois must register if here ≥5 days or >30 days aggregate/year. 730 ILCS 150/3(a-5).

What this means in practice

  • Notify 10 days before leaving IL to live or work elsewhere; out-of-state students/workers in IL must register quickly.

See §6 and §3(a-5).

Visiting or Traveling in the State

  • Within Illinois, starting residence/employment/school or temporary domicile in a county triggers 3-day local registration. 730 ILCS 150/3(b).
  • Homeless or transient status requires weekly in-person reporting. 730 ILCS 150/6.

Compliance & Enforcement

Knowingly violating SORA (including giving false material information) is generally a felony with mandatory minimum 7 days jail and $500 fine; noncompliance also adds 10 years to the registration term. See 730 ILCS 150/10 and extension rule at 730 ILCS 150/7; see also 20 Ill. Admin. Code 1280.50.

What this means in practice

  • Violations are felonies with jail and fines; noncompliance adds 10 years to registration.

Watch-outs

  • Giving false info is a separate felony.

Penalties at §10; extension at §7.

Relief Paths

  • Juveniles: petition to terminate registration after 2 years (misdemeanor) or 5 years (felony) if criteria met; court considers risk assessment. 730 ILCS 150/3-5.
  • Adults: generally no discretionary termination; relief if conviction is reversed, vacated, or pardoned (no “conviction” for SORA). See definition notes in 730 ILCS 150/2.
  • Administrative 10-year extensions for violations may be reviewed per rule. 20 Ill. Admin. Code 1280.50(c).

What this means in practice

  • Juveniles can petition to end registration after 2 or 5 years (depending on adjudication).
  • Adults generally cannot petition off unless the conviction is vacated/reversed/pardoned.

Watch-outs

  • A new felony after certain pre-2011 offenses can trigger lifetime status.

See §3-5, §2 notes, and ISP training manual summaries.

Special Populations

  • Sexually dangerous/sexually violent persons: 90-day reporting for life. 730 ILCS 150/6.
  • MVOAY: separate act with 10-year or life terms depending on offense; community notification differs. 730 ILCS 152 & 154.
  • Students & campus workers: must also register with campus security. 730 ILCS 150/3(a-5).

What this means in practice

  • SDP/SVP report every 90 days; MVOAY has separate rules and notification.

See §6 and MVOAY acts.

Costs & Payments

Recent Changes & Litigation

  • Rule: 20 Ill. Admin. Code pt. 1280 (amended 4/12/2022); effective 2022-04-12. Updated SORA administrative rules, including verification operations and extension procedures. link
  • Statute: Public Act 103-605 — 2024; effective 2024-07-01. Amended SORA §6 with updated source note; maintains 90-day reporting for SDPs/SVPs and weekly reporting for those without fixed residence. link

Compliance Checklists & Scripts

New Arrival: First 30 Days

  • Within 3 days: register in person with local police/sheriff. Bring ID, proof of address, employer/school info, and required Internet identifiers. 730 ILCS 150/3.
  • Pay fee or request indigency waiver. Keep receipt. 730 ILCS 150/3(c)(6).
  • Ask about your verification month (annual/90-day) and set reminders. 730 ILCS 150/6.
  • If homeless, confirm weekly reporting location/day. 730 ILCS 150/6.
  • Review local presence/residency restrictions before housing/employment choices. 720 ILCS 5/11-9.3.

Moving Out / Traveling

  • At least 10 days before moving or starting out-of-state employment, report in person to current registering agency. 730 ILCS 150/6.
  • Get copies of your registration and note your next due date; confirm requirements in the destination state.
  • If homeless upon arrival elsewhere, ask how to maintain compliance; Illinois records may not reflect out-of-state homeless status timing. (See ISP LEADS bulletin guidance.)

Records Request Template

To: [Registering Agency]. I request copies of my SORA registration entries, verification history, fee receipts, and any ISP extension notices issued under [730 ILCS 150/7] and 20 Ill. Admin. Code 1280.50. This request is for personal records and compliance planning.

Relief Petition Outline

If adjudicated as a juvenile, consult [730 ILCS 150/3-5]: confirm eligibility window (2 years after misdemeanor / 5 years after felony adjudication), obtain current risk assessment, prepare petition to terminate, attach proof of compliance, and notice the State’s Attorney; adults generally limited to relief where the underlying conviction is vacated/reversed/pardoned per [730 ILCS 150/2].

Tips for using these checklists

  • Follow the 3-day and 10-day clocks, keep receipts, and confirm your next due date with the registering agency.

Checklist items mirror SORA §§3, 6 and ISP guidance.

Citations

🤝 This guide was created from official legal sources and checked with the help of AI-assisted research. We strive for accuracy and clarity — if you spot something that seems off or out of date, please let us know so we can correct it for everyone.

Informational only; not legal advice.