Villa Measure to Crack Down on Human Trafficking Passes Illinois House Committee

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To hold businesses that prosper from human trafficking accountable to the fullest extent of the law, state Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, is sponsoring new legislation to crack down on human trafficking and provide more time for survivors to come forward.

“Survivors need to know that the law will help to bring their abusers to justice, even if it takes time for them to come forward,” said Villa. “This legislation will also institute harsh financial penalties for businesses that benefit from human trafficking, and provide new training to law enforcement to aid them in recognizing and investigating sex trafficking rings.”

Villa is sponsoring Senate Bill 1890, which makes widespread changes to current law to crack down on human trafficking by subjecting businesses that benefit from human trafficking and similar crimes to new fines of up to $100,000, extending the statute of limitations on both criminal and civil cases up to 25 years, and providing further training for all law enforcement officers on identifying and investigating suspected human trafficking situations. The legislation passed out of the Illinois House Judiciary – Criminal Committee with unanimous bipartisan support.

“This legislation will ensure that perpetrators that prey upon vulnerable women and children are brought to justice and face tough penalties for their crimes,” continued Villa. “I urge lawmakers in the House to stand up against the heinous crime of human trafficking and pass this legislation so that we can send it to the governor’s desk.”

For more information, contact Villa’s constituent services office at 630-326-9319 or StateRepKarinaVilla@gmail.com.