Task Force To Take On Child Predators With Webinars, Mobile Unit

ILLINOIS — A task force comprised of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies will offer a series of webinars to protect children from online predators, the attorney general's office said Monday. In addition, a new mobile forensic unit will investigate and prosecute cases of child pornography and exploitation, supporting police across the state, according to a news release.

The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, investigates child sex abuse, trains law enforcement, and provides online safety education to parents and children, according to the attorney general's office. It is comprised of more than 225 law enforcement agencies across the state, and since 2019 it has received more than 13,353 tips leading to 150 arrests of sexual predators — including that of a Rockford police detective, according to a news release.

Tips to the task force have increased over the last several years, and the attorney general's office projects they will jump by 23 percent this year. The task force's new initiatives aim to increase parental engagement and assist police with tracking down online predators.

“Reports of child pornography and child exploitation have increased over the last several years, and that trend does not show signs of stopping," Attorney General Kwame Raoul said in a statement. "Protecting children and helping them foster healthy interactions online requires a collaboration involving parents and guardians, educators and law enforcement.

"My Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force allows local, state and federal law enforcement to share resources to identify and apprehend offenders who prey upon children through apps, social media and the internet."

Raoul encouraged families and educators to sign up for his office's webinars to learn about the apps their children are using and how to identify signs they are being targeted online. For children, the webinars will teach healthy internet habits, help youth "navigate aggressive online behavior."

The series begins Oct. 7 at 6:30, and will continue on the first Thursday of each month. To sign up, email karilyn.orr@ilag.gov.

The attorney general also highlighted the new mobile forensic unit, which will allow police to process digital evidence in the field. The federally-funded unit will hire three computer evidence recovery technicians to process digital evidence such as cell phones, hard drives and laptops. It will also provide storage and Wi-Fi and serve as a location where investigators and prosecutors can confer, according to the news release.