|
The Illinois House passed Senate Bill 2323 unanimously that
would establish a strategic plan to build a network of services
for trafficking survivors and better identify victims. The
Senate passed the bill unanimously last month.
State Rep. Ann Williams, D-Chicago, the bill’s sponsor, said law
enforcement agencies and court officials will work together to
combat human trafficking.
“This is part of looking at it holistically,
multi-jurisdictional, and ensuring that no matter where the
trafficking occurs,” said Williams Thursday. “Sometimes, sadly,
the survivors are moved across jurisdiction lines so this will
ensure a streamlined approach, be more effective and more able
to address these heinous crimes.”
The legislation also would remove the 25-year time limit for
victims to bring a lawsuit against their abuser.
The National Human Trafficking Hotline has identified more than
5,600 victims in Illinois since 2007.
Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said to combat
human trafficking, it must be brought out in the open.
“Labor and sex trafficking exists in Illinois but victims are
not identified as well as they should be and crimes often go
unreported,” Kelly said during a news conference in March.
The ISP Trafficking Enforcement Bureau conducted seven human
trafficking demand suppression operations in 2024, resulting in
31 arrests and 90 criminal charges.
The measure, which can now be sent to the governor, places the
Department of Children and Family Services in charge of
initiating prevention efforts and coordinating services.
|
|
