Those concerned residents fired questions at local prosecutors Tuesday night trying to find ways to protect themselves from that registered sexual predator. State records link the man to an incident with a 7-year-old child in DuPage County.

These Edgebrook neighborhood residents are concerned about this man, 25 year old Matthew Cross. His name and picture are public record on the Illinois Sex Offender Registry.

Neighbors say Cross moved to the area a year ago and lives next door to a family that home-schools their kids. They asked prosecutors Tuesday night if that's legal. And were told there's no restrictions against that.

So they went on to ask how they can feel safer around the neighborhood, especially with some 20 kids and grand-kids living and visiting the one-block area where the registered sex offender lives.

"Be vigilant regarding your neighborhood and anybody that is a registered sex offender that lives in your neighborhood and that you report anything that you find unusual or concerning to you," Winnebago County State's Attorney Joe Bruscato.

"I have two grandkids who come and visit me quite often and we're to the point where we do not let them go out without one of us being around to watch them," said Resident Rick Bienvenu.

One specific suggestion passed along Tuesday night was finding out if the sexual predator is on parole. And if so, contact their parole officer with any concerns.

State's Attorney Bruscato added that his office takes these matters seriously. So much so that this year two local men were given life sentences in sex offender cases.