Halloween Safety
Halloween 2026 · Saturday, Oct 31
Check before you knock
Before you plan your trick-or-treat route, look up registered sex offenders near you. Tap your county below to open the official, live state registry, where you can see names, photos, addresses and a map. It's updated daily by state police, so it's always current.
Pick your county
Six counties in Southern Illinois and Southeast Missouri.
Illinois
Williamson County
Includes: Marion · Herrin · Carterville · Johnston City
How: tap Agree on the Illinois State Police page, then search by County: Williamson (or enter your city or ZIP). Results show each address, and you can open a map.
Illinois
Jackson County
Includes: Carbondale · Murphysboro · De Soto · Ava
How: tap Agree on the Illinois State Police page, then search by County: Jackson (or enter your city or ZIP). Results show each address, and you can open a map.
Illinois
Franklin County
Includes: Benton · West Frankfort · Christopher · Sesser
How: tap Agree on the Illinois State Police page, then search by County: Franklin (or enter your city or ZIP). Results show each address, and you can open a map.
Illinois
Union County
Includes: Anna · Jonesboro · Cobden · Dongola
How: tap Agree on the Illinois State Police page, then search by County: Union (or enter your city or ZIP). Results show each address, and you can open a map.
Illinois
Perry County
Includes: Pinckneyville · Du Quoin · Tamaroa
How: tap Agree on the Illinois State Police page, then search by County: Perry (or enter your city or ZIP). Results show each address, and you can open a map.
Missouri
Cape Girardeau County
Includes: Cape Girardeau · Jackson · Oak Ridge · Delta
How: on the Missouri State Highway Patrol page, choose County: Cape Girardeau and tap Search. Use Location Search to see everyone within a set distance of your home.
What the law says on Halloween
Both states put limits on registered offenders on Halloween. A dark porch can be a sign to skip a house.
Illinois
- Child sex offenders may not hand out candy.
- They may not take part in trick-or-treating or other Halloween events with kids under 18.
- Offenders on parole or probation can have extra conditions, like porch lights off and staying home.
Source: Illinois Attorney General Halloween safety notice.
Missouri
- No Halloween-related contact with children.
- Outside lights must be off after 5:00 p.m.
- Must stay inside from 5:00 to 10:30 p.m. unless there's a real reason like work or a medical emergency.
Source: RSMo § 589.426 and the Missouri Attorney General.
Trick-or-treat smart
The registry is one tool. These matter just as much.
- Plan the route in daylight. Check your streets on the registry map before you head out.
- Go with your kids. Younger children should always have an adult with them.
- Stay on the porch. Never go inside a house or a car for candy.
- Stick to lit, busy streets. Skip dark houses and shortcuts through yards.
- Older kids go in groups. Agree on a route and a time to check in.
- Be seen. Flashlights, glow sticks or reflective tape on costumes.
- Check the candy at home. Toss anything opened or homemade from strangers.
- Trust your gut. If something feels off, leave and call 911.
Use this to protect, never to harass
Registry information is public so families can make safe choices. Using it to threaten or harass anyone is a crime in both states. Not every offender is on the registry, so keep watching your kids everywhere. If you see a registered offender breaking Halloween rules, call your sheriff's office or 911.
Registry links go straight to the Illinois State Police, Missouri State Highway Patrol and the U.S. Dept. of Justice (NSOPW). Operation 17:2
