Senate candidates spar over Harper, youth sex offenders

Incumbent Democratic state Sen. Dan Kotowski accused his Republican challenger Mike Sweeney of distorting the meaning of his vote to create a separate sex crime registry for juveniles, but Sweeney didn't retreat from his criticism during a meeting with the Daily Herald editorial board Thursday.

The two candidates for the 33rd District seat also differed sharply over the merits of Harper College's quest for state legislative approval to offer four-year degrees in homeland security and technology management. Kotowski has unsuccessfully worked for approval of the plan, while Sweeney fears the costs will eventually be borne by taxpayers.

Kotowski, 41, of Park Ridge, confronted Sweeney, 29. of Arlington Heights, over campaign literature that suggests Kotowski endangered the public with his vote to create a separate sex crime registry for juveniles. "It's something that galls me," Kotowski said.

Kotowski supported the bill - now a law - which created a separate juvenile sex offender registry under which the person can petition a judge to be removed after five years. On the adult list, there is no provision for removal.

Sweeney, currently the Elk Grove Township clerk, said he wouldn't have objected if the chance to be removed from the list only covered juveniles guilty of misdemeanors, but it also would allow juveniles guilty of felonies to seek removal.

Kotowski pointed to police chiefs, prosecutors and Republican legislators who supported the bill and said prosecutors will treat juveniles guilty of felonies as adults, thereby circumventing that concern. His campaign is distributing a letter from Republican state Sen. John Millner, a former Elmhurst police chief, saying Kotowski is being unfairly attacked.

Sweeney wasn't cowed. "It's not about the party; it's about the policy," he said. "He can disagree with me and that's fine. I stand by what I said. I think it's a serious issue."

On Harper, Sweeney said that despite the college's promise that the costs of offering four-year degrees would be covered strictly by tuition and the college's private foundation, with no money coming from property taxes, he fears the rules could change in the future. "I'm cynical," he said.

Kotowski, meanwhile, touted his work with Republican state Sen. Matt Murphy of Palatine on the Harper bill as evidence of his ability to work with legislators of both parties for the good of the district. And Kotowski said people he's talked to support the move. "Harper College needs to evolve" as education and the needs of students change, he said.

Sweeney responded that he's encountered a lot of opposition to Harper's proposal in his district. "Matt Murphy is a good guy (but) Matt Murphy doesn't represent the 33rd District," he said.