D’Amico Urges Human Trafficking Crack Down

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. John D’Amico, D-Chicago, is supporting a bill to crack down on human trafficking in Illinois and provide new training to police to help detect and prevent exploitation of women and children.

“Human trafficking, involuntary servitude, and sexual exploitation have no place in our society, and it is critical that we crack down on these heinous crimes,” D’Amico said. “We must amplify the voices of survivors and make sure law enforcement has the tools necessary to recognize and prevent human trafficking.”

D’Amico is supporting Senate Bill 1890, a measure to strengthen the penalties for human trafficking. Under the bill, businesses that profit from human trafficking, involuntary servitude and sexual exploitation could faces fines of up to $100,000. Law enforcement officers would receive new human trafficking recognition and prevention training under the measure. Additionally, the bill gives police and survivors more time to bring traffickers to justice, extending the criminal and civil statutes of limitations to 25 years.

“Human trafficking thrives in silence and this measure will help lift up the voices of survivors of involuntary servitude and sexual exploitation,” D’Amico said. “By making sure that police have the necessary tools to crack down on human traffickers, we can help ensure that predators who exploit women and children will be brought to justice.”