That's Just Our Neighbor Larry, Never Mind the Ankle Bracelet

By Matt Wood in News on Sep 19, 2006 7:42PM

Via YoChicago today, a Cook County board committee is pushing a plan that would establish email notifications for anyone who wants to know when a sex offender moves within a mile radius of their home. Great service, right -- who wouldn't want to know? But YoChicago points out that having a perv for a neighbor can have a devastating effect on your home's resale value.

Chicagoist knows a few good realtors, and all of them say yes, absolutely, having known sex offenders living in the area can definitely affect property values and market times. Previously, this wasn't as much of an issue because real estate agents and sellers aren't required by law to disclose any facts other than those pertaining to the home they're selling. But now, sex offender data is widely available through various websites and local registries, so buyers can find it on their own. Some municipalities even require offenders to personally notify neighbors or post a sign on their home.

But in a city as large as Chicago, who doesn't have a few creepy guys driving windowless full-size vans on their block? If you really want to give yourself the creeps, check out your address on this website; Chicagoist just found 14 within walking distance of our house.