Mussman Supports Bipartisan Legislation to Post Human Trafficking Resources at Rest Stops Across Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, co-sponsored a bipartisan bill requiring the Illinois Department of Transportation to post human trafficking resources in rest area bathrooms. 

“Human trafficking isn’t a left or right issue, it’s a right or wrong issue,” said Mussman. “I’m proud to stand with my colleagues across the aisle to ensure we take every measure possible to prevent human trafficking, and supply resources to victims in any way we can.”

House Bill 4654 expands existing legislation requiring human trafficking resources to be posted. In many cases of human trafficking, victims are often closely watched and may only find themselves alone in a bathroom in or around a roadside stop for a few short minutes. This legislation hopes to ensure these victims of human trafficking can access help and resources without risking jeopardizing their safety. 

Currently in Illinois, human trafficking notices in rest stops are posted with all other required notices, often on a public bulletin board. House Bill 4654 seeks to make these notices more private and accessible to possible victims by requiring human trafficking resources to explicitly be posted in bathrooms.

“Human trafficking is often under-reported because victims don’t have the opportunity to report their abuse, or are too afraid of their captor to make a police report,” said Mussman. “We’re trying to change that narrative in Illinois by providing contact information and support for anyone being trafficked to ask for help from crisis hotlines and law enforcement.”

House Bill 4654 passed unanimously in the House and heads to the Senate.