Governor launches nation's first state-sponsored, multiagency attack on trafficking of human sex and labor

[MARCH 21, 2005]  CHICAGO -- Gov. Rod Blagojevich is announcing a broad-based statewide coalition to address the growing phenomenon of human labor and sex trafficking. This coalition is the first in the nation to commit substantial government resources to the problem of human trafficking on a statewide basis. The governor also pledged his support for Senate Bill 477 and House Bill 1469, legislation proposed to fight human trafficking.

"Human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery, and sadly it exists here in Illinois," said Gov. Blagojevich. "Young children, teenagers, men and women are promised jobs and better lives and are brought to the United States. But once they're here, they are forced to live and work in abysmal conditions, they're paid pitiful wages, and some are forced into the sex trade. Our Rescue and Restore campaign will help law enforcement officers, health care workers and social worker spot victims of human trafficking so we can help them rebuild their lives."

Human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world today. According to the U.S. State Department, each year approximately 800,000 to 900,000 victims are trafficked across international borders, and between 18,000 and 20,000 of those are brought into the United States. The New York Times, in a January 2004 magazine article, labeled the Chicago area a national hub for human traffickers.

One victim, Hannah, was brought to Chicago from Africa when she was 10 years old and was forced to cook, clean and take care of three small children. She was not allowed to go to school or even go outside and was verbally, physically and sexually abused. Once Hannah finally escaped and sought help, she was again held captive by a man who sexually assaulted her and forced her to do housework for him. The young girl eventually escaped and got help from the Heartland Alliance program to counter trafficking.

In Rockford, federal and local agents found several undocumented Chinese and Korean women locked down in area spas two weeks ago. The women, who were probably trafficked into the United States, lived and worked in desperate conditions, and were not allowed to leave the spas. Some of the women became prostitutes under the direction of the spa managers. Sadly, these women, now under arrest, will likely be deported.

"Human trafficking is a hidden phenomenon in Illinois that needs to be exposed for the terrible crime that it is," said Department of Human Services Secretary Carol L. Adams, Ph.D. "One case is one case too many, and it's imperative that we act now to eliminate this human suffering."

The governor has directed the Department of Human Services, the Illinois State Police, Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Labor, and Department of Human Rights to team up with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service and Chicago's Heartland Alliance to organize the Rescue and Restore campaign. Rescue and Restore is a federal, state and local partnership designed to inform the public of human trafficking and to uncover victims and refer them to the available resources.

"The federal government welcomes the opportunity to work in partnership with Illinois to address the tragedy of human trafficking," said Steven Wagner, of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "Illinois would be the first state to dedicate this level of statewide resources to this problem. With Governor Blagojevich's involvement, the Illinois Rescue and Restore Coalition will become a national model in the fight against human trafficking."

Gov. Blagojevich said organizations throughout the state will be invited to join the Illinois Rescue and Restore campaign, slated to begin in late spring. Participating state agencies will send a mailing later in the week to a list of approximately 1,000 health care, social service, and law enforcement agencies and associations that have contact with immigrants and victims of sexual assault or domestic violence, inviting them to join the coalition. The Illinois coalition will then provide the participating agencies with informational posters to display on their premises and will train potential "first responders" -- such as law enforcement officers, health care workers and social workers from the agencies -- to help spot possible victims and direct them into federally funded victim services.

"Trafficking for sexual exploitation and forced labor is a hidden reality in Illinois that is simply unacceptable," said Joseph A. Antolin, vice president of Heartland Alliance for Human Rights & Human Needs, a service-based human rights agency in Chicago.

Katherine Kaufka, an attorney with Heartland's Midwest Immigrant and Human Rights Center, added, "State law to further provide tools to law enforcement personnel, coupled with training and alertness by service and health providers, will be essential to identifying and assisting victims."

Once victims are identified, they are referred to Chicago's Heartland Alliance for certification of victim status. Certified trafficking victims are granted access to federal benefits and services through a special T-visa. Inquiries about the victim certification process and past successes rescuing and certifying victims should be made to Katherine Kaufka at the Heartland Alliance, [phone]. There is also a federally administered toll-free 24-hour victim referral line, 1 [phone].

"The federal government has begun to address the problem of human trafficking, allowing victims to gain asylum and funding relief efforts," said state Sen. John Cullerton, D-Chicago, chief sponsor of Senate Bill 477. "Now it is time for states to work with Washington to eradicate this perverse activity."

"Human trafficking is a worldwide crime that crossed our state's borders long ago," said state Rep. Michelle Chavez, D-Cicero. "Thousands, maybe even millions, of desperate, innocent people are exploited and forced into different types of slavery every day. These victims need us, as a state, to complement federal and international efforts to put an end to their torment."

The proposed legislation would define human trafficking crimes and create criminal offenses and penalties, making it easier for prosecutors to charge those involved in human trafficking rings. The penalty for forcing a person into servitude would range from a Class 4 to a Class X felony if the victim is kidnapped or injured. The bills allow for restitution to pay back a victim for forced labor. The bills also expand potential resources available to victims by allowing the Illinois Department of Human Services to provide emergency victim services.

[News release from the governor's office]