Murder victim’s family pushes for post-release registry

SPRINGFIELD — The parents of Andrea Will, who was killed in 1998 while a student at Eastern Illinois University, told Springfield lawmakers Thursday that murderers who are released from prison should have to sign up for a statewide registry for 10 years after they’re released.

Will’s mother, Patricia Rosenberg, said she thought it was important to testify after Will’s convicted killer, Justin Boulay, was released from prison last year after serving a 12-year sentence.

“He’s somebody’s neighbor,” Rosenberg said.

Boulay now lives in Hawaii, where lawmakers are considering similar legislation.

Michelle Felde, of Arlington Heights, Will’s college roommate, also testified for the plan “to give her a voice,” Felde said.

The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Reboletti, would create a murderer’s registry similar to the current sex offender registry. The registry would be available online and contain information about someone’s name, address and photo.

The plan was approved by a House committee Thursday by a 7-0 vote. It now moves to the full House. Reboletti said Rosenberg’s testimony helped the plan succeed.

“I think we’re going to have even more momentum, now,” the Elmhurst Republican said.

In the meantime, two pieces of Reboletti legislation that would reinstate the death penalty in Illinois were approved by the panel.

But Democrats who approved legislation banning capital punishment earlier this year are unlikely to let the plan move much further.

And when Gov. Pat Quinn signed the death penalty ban, he said he’d rule out any attempts to try to reinstate it.