Local legislators push for tougher placement of child sex offenders

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A local legislator wants to close a legal loophole allowing serious child sex offenders to live next to children. Representative Mark Spreitzer of Beloit says the bill relates to a situation in Beloit where two offenders were placed next to children after their release from prison.  The Democrat says the bill changes the definition of serious child sex offender to cover all sexually violent crimes against childen under age 16, even if the offender pleads to a lesser charge. The bill is co-authored by fellow Democrat, State Senator Janis Ringhand of Evansville, and Assembly Republican Amy Loudenbeck of Clinton.