Sweeping Changes Being Made To IL Human Trafficking Laws: Police

ILLINOIS — Following guidance from Illinois State Police, Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation Wednesday intended to help combat human trafficking and assist those that have been trafficked in the state. The Illinois Statewide Trauma-Informed Response to Human Trafficking Act (Senate Bill 2323) addresses human trafficking through prevention, intervention, and establishing standards for survivor support.

"As Illinois continues to enhance its strategies to combat human trafficking, it's crucial that we ensure survivors — no matter who they are or where they live — have access to the resources they need," Pritzker said. "This vital legislation marks a coordinated, multi-agency effort to better identify, protect, and support our most vulnerable, making Illinois a safer place for everyone."

According to IPS, 448 human trafficking survivors were reported to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority as receiving services from an Illinois domestic violence or sexual assault agency in 2024. In addition, 213 possible cases of child trafficking were reported to DCFS during that same time frame. Despite this, authorities believe these numbers only represent a fraction of human trafficking victims in Illinois.

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"Human trafficking can come in many forms, from commercial sex acts to forced labor," ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly said. "Because human trafficking has many faces and can happen almost anywhere, it is important to have a comprehensive, statewide victim-centered, trauma-informed response that encompasses those who may come in contact with individuals who are being trafficked, such as law enforcement, child services, case workers, treatment providers, and others."

The legislation will impact laws governing ISP, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Illinois Department of Human Services, Illinois Department of Labor, Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice, Illinois Department of Corrections, Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board, Children’s Advocacy Centers, the Office of the State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor, the Illinois Secretary of State, and other stakeholders.

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ISP and the Illinois Department of Human Services launched the Joint Human Trafficking Working Group in 2023. The ad hoc working group helped develop policy recommendations, which officials say are reflected in the legislation passed Wednesday

Anyone suspecting human trafficking can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text *233733. For more information, visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org or email ISP.CrimeTips@illinois.gov.

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