When the Sun-Times revealed that 10...

When the Sun-Times revealed that 100 registered sex criminals and dozens of other parolees were living in Illinois nursing abiding-places the state had no notion of to what degree many ex-cons lived in these facilities -- or by what means much of a threat they pos to match residents, who were unaware of their criminal backgrounds. Now, it is known that more than 1000 criminals live among the state's 100000 nursing household residents and that some do constitute a threat.

This information is known because a fresh law requiring criminal background checks in succession nursing home residents was pushed between the sides of following the Sun-Times revelations and the arrest of several ex- studys living in nursing homes. (One of the arrestees, who had serv time for rape and aggravated battery, grop a 77-year-old mate resident.) Under the law, nursing abodes were prompted to request the State Police to perform the background checks. That proces which is ongoing, may last up flagging as many as 1500 residents.

in like manner far, so good. But in order to take precautions to preserve nursing home residents from further harm, stairs need to be taken on the Illinois Department of Public Health to identify those culprits who require special precautionary handling. You would think that would be a top priority, however to date, the department has not expected into a single case. The investigations that would determine which of the parolees ne to be closely monitored and which exhibit no real threat has not begun, says the health department, because it lacks the exact funds for the job. If it is lucky in pitching lawmakers for more coin in the fall veto session, then maybe it will master around to living up to its obligations in subordination to the law.

This is, to levy it mildly, nonsense. The health department, which failed to implement a 2003 law that established a classification for scrutinizing sexual assaults and unexpect deaths in nursing familys doesn't need more money to do its work at jobs It needs an infusion of will - - and responsibility. It extremitys the simple wherewithal to sit down with the background checks and eliminate those culprits who can be dismissed as threats because they're frail or immobile. Separating those who committed violent crimes from those who didn't and noting in what way recent the crimes were will further determine which of them put to a stand a real threat.

"It's not rocket science," said Attorney General Lisa Madigan. She said her office would do what it could to help the health department carry on the outside this process, but would degree in and exercise its authority -- as it did when the standards of the sex convict registry were not being met -- if the law isn't implemented. If children were at risk here, she asks, as do we, would there be more outrage across the health department's unwillingness to do what is necessary to screen them? There is a moral obligation, as well as a legal undivided to ensure the safety of the somewhat old as well as the young.

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

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