Andrade Joins Effort to Crack Down on Human Trafficking

SPRINGFIELD, IL. –State Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, is supporting legislation that will bring human trafficking criminals to justice by imposing harsher penalties and providing law enforcement with more resources to crack down on them.

“Women and children are often victims of human trafficking and it is unacceptable that Illinois ranks amongst the top places for these shameful crimes to occur,” Andrade said. “This legislation is a necessary step that will crack down on criminals and bring justice to the survivors.”

According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, Illinois reported 135 cases of human trafficking in 2018. The previous year, the National Hotline ranked Illinois the 11th highest reporting rate for cases of sex trafficking and labor exploitation, nationally.   

The Andrade-backed Senate Bill 1890 will strengthen the process to prosecute criminals of human trafficking. Under this legislation, disreputable businesses that benefit from human trafficking, sex trade activities, or involuntary servitude will be subjected to fines of up to $100,000. The measure also increases the time law enforcement can prosecute a criminal by extending the criminal statute of limitations from three years to 25 years. This legislation also provides survivors up to 25 years, as opposed to 10 years, to seek civil penalties against their abusers.

Finally, this legislation will require new and current law enforcement officers to receive training in identifying and investigating human trafficking. 

“By requiring that local law enforcement undergo training and have better access to resources, they will be equipped to spot human trafficking and protect victims,,”  Andrade added. “We must continue to move legislation that increases the line of defense against crime to ensure we prevent cases of human trafficking in our state.”