SPRINGFIELD - Illinois officials are watching Iowa's new sex offender residency requirements closely, hoping the Land of Lincoln will not become a possible haven for child molesters.

Iowa has adopted rules barring those convicted of sex offenses against minors from living within 2,000 feet of schools and day care facilities. This makes Illinois an attractive alternative, said Rock Island County Sheriff Michael Grchan.

"They are going to come across the bridge. They are not moving to Texas. They are moving to Rock Island County," he said. "They're going to stay as close to home as they can because that is where their family and friends are."

Illinois law prohibits child molesters from living with in 500 feet of schools or day care facilities.

Cara Smith, policy director for the Illinois Attorney General's Office, is concerned Iowa's law also will encourage sex offenders to avoid registering.

"We want there to be accountability among the sex offender population. Registries are the first tool we have to do that. But we've got to keep them on the registry, which means we have to know where they are," she said. "How do we ensure that we know who these people coming from Iowa are?"

The problem is compounded by Iowa cities and counties considering even more restrictive requirements. The Davenport City Council recently tabled a proposal adding parks, public swimming pools, libraries and recreational trails to the list. The Scott County Board is still looking at a similar ordinance.

Illinois lawmakers are taking a wait-and-see attitude.

"We need to look at all the things we can do, but not panic," said state Rep. Mike Boland, D-East Moline.

Grchan estimates his office deals with at least 300 sex offenders, and he is not sure how his officers would deal with the possible increase.

"I think it's politically popular now to be tough on sex offenders," said Grchan, who suggested that tougher prison sentences might be a better solution to dealing with pedophiles. "Everybody wants to put on all these restrictions and guidelines, but law enforcement gets no help. They pass the laws, but there are no people to watch these people. We do what we can."

The Iowa law has been criticized for being too broad and making no distinction between pedophiles and other types of sex crimes. Questions also have been raised about whether these types of bans will protect children at all.

Smith counters: "I don't draw a big distinction that one person is not dangerous and another is. When you're talking about kids, I think we need to be as cautious as we can."

The Illinois Attorney General's Office estimates 87 percent of the state's sex offender population committed crimes against children, Smith said.

Matt Adrian can be reached at matt.adrian@;lee.net or 789-0865.