Manley Bill to Require Human Trafficking Course in CDL Training Sent to Governor

JOLIET, Ill. – A proposal sponsored by state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, which would require commercial driver’s license (CDL) applicants to receive information on human trafficking prevention has been sent to the governor’s desk following bipartisan support.

“Human trafficking is a real problem that exists in our country, and it often uses the same road networks found in our communities and across the state,” Manley said. “By teaching our commercial drivers about this inhumane practice, we can hopefully identify and prevent cases of human trafficking in Illinois.”

House Bill 1677 would require the Secretary of State to incorporate a course on human trafficking within the training curriculum of accredited CDL education programs. Human trafficking, which typically forces individuals into involuntary labor or uses them for sexual exploitation, is estimated to affect between 14,500 and 17,500 individuals within the United States. Globally, human trafficking victimizes more than 20 million people.

“Nobody should have to suffer through the indignity of modern day slavery,” Manley said. “Lives are at stake, and this training will ensure that more residents are looking out for this disgusting criminal behavior.”