Dupage Policy Journal

Illinois House Republicans have made protecting victims of human trafficking a top priority for the upcoming Spring 2024 Session. The Caucus is tackling this issue head-on with a comprehensive bill package aimed at providing crucial protections for individuals who have been ensnared in the web of human trafficking. The legislative package includes bills sponsored by Reps. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore), Nicole La Ha (R-Homer Glen), Jennifer Sanalitro (R-Hanover Park), and Brad Stephens (R-Rosemont).

According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, in 2021, there were 243 human trafficking cases reported in Illinois, with 355 victims identified. Human trafficking is described as a form of modern-day slavery that involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to exploit individuals for labor or commercial sex acts. Victims of human trafficking come from all walks of life and can be lured into these situations through violence, manipulation, false promises, or deceitful relationships.

One of the key bills in the legislative package is House Bill 5465, introduced by Rep. Keicher, which allows minors in juvenile court to petition for the immediate sealing or expungement of their records if the offense was a result of human trafficking. Another bill, House Bill 5466, introduced by Rep. La Ha, eliminates the defense of mistaken age for individuals charged with patronizing a minor engaged in prostitution. Additionally, House Bill 5467, also from Rep. La Ha, removes the statute of limitations for prosecutions related to involuntary servitude, involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, or trafficking in persons when the victim is under 18 years old.

Furthermore, House Bill 5468, introduced by Rep. Sanalitro, establishes a defense for victims of human trafficking who commit crimes as a result of being trafficked. Rep. Sanalitro also sponsors House Bill 5469, which creates the Human Trafficking Order of Protection Act, enabling victims to obtain protection orders against their traffickers. Rep. Stephens' bill, House Bill 5470, aims to hold buyers of sex trafficking victims accountable by adding the term "patronize" to involuntary sexual servitude of a minor.

A report card on Child and Youth Sex Trafficking from Shared Hope highlighted the need for improvement in Illinois' response to sex trafficking. Illinois received failing grades in several key areas, prompting the drafting of the legislative package by Illinois House Republicans to address the deficiencies outlined in the report.

All the bills put forth by Illinois House Republicans were crafted in line with recommendations from the Shared Hope International Report Card, reflecting a concerted effort to protect and support victims of human trafficking in the state.