D’Amico’s Legislation Requiring Human Trafficking Course in CDL Training Sent to Governor

CHICAGO – A measure supported by state Rep. John D’Amico, D-Chicago, that aims to combat human trafficking by requiring applicants for commercial driver’s license (CDL) to receive information the crime and how to prevent it has been sent to the governor’s desk.

“Human trafficking is a form of modern day slavery that causes significant pain and suffering to victims throughout the country,” D’Amico said. “We need to be educating folks using the road networks that attract human trafficking of the crime’s human impact and how it can be prevented.”

The D’Amico-backed measure, 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. The proposal passed the House and Senate with bipartisan support.

“No one should have to suffer through this horrible crime,” D’Amico said. “People’s lives are at risk and this training will help individuals identify victims and prevent cases of human trafficking.”