By Ted Slowik
Lawmakers want to require screenings for ice cream truck drivers, including background checks that would identify sex offenders and prohibit them from working with children. They'd get ID badges and have to register with the state. Does anybody else see a problem with this?
Of course, I think it's important to keep children safe from sex predators. But a few things about legislation like this bother me. No. 1, it's going to cost money to run background checks and issue ID cards to ice cream vendors, so either the state is going to have to go deeper in debt or charge these icre cream vendors fees to register.
Then, does anybody think it's a shame that Illinois lawmakers craft laws to make it LOOK like they're getting something done when the legislative branch is actually mired in gridlock over the really important issues like the budget, which includes funding for education, transportation, health care, pensions, etc.
Look, all I'm saying is guys like Bill O'Reilly make a career out of targeting sex offenders. It's like shooting fish in a barrel--everybody hates sex offenders. How about some laws that actually require some thought and political cooperation, like a law that would guarantee the buses and trains in the Chicago area will be running six months from now, and that our property taxes won't keep skyrocketing to continue funding schools?
Duh, I would think that would already be the case. Costs of the screening process should be shared with the business owner and the comunity it is permitted to solicit in.
Yes, we all want to protect our children. Teachers and clergy are watched very carefully for this reason. So why the ice cream vendors? What about all the other people who are in contact with children? Following this logic, the state could issue a special ID card to lifeguards, camp counselors, library employees, people who work in candy stores and little league coaches.
Naperville should ban ice cream trucks all together. That music is annoying. Plus there's something inherantly dangerous about kids running into the street to buy treats.