The Henderson County Sheriff’s Department is advising parents and guardians to review Illinois’s sex offender registry as part of their Halloween preparations.
In a press release from the Henderson County Sheriff’s Department, it says sex offenders who have committed crimes against children are prohibited from distributing candy and participating in trick-or-treating involving minors by law. Additionally, those on parole, mandatory supervised release, or probation may face further restrictions, such as not being allowed to keep porch lights on or leave their homes except for approved work-related reasons.
As of September 2026, Henderson County has 15 registered sex offenders listed in the Illinois Sex Offender Registry, as well as 3 Murder/Violent Offenders Against Youth. Of those 15, 13 have committed crimes against children. To assist the community, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office offers a free app available on Google Play and the Apple App Store, which allows residents to easily access the state’s sex offender list.