Yingling Backs Measure to Crack Down on Human Trafficking Offenses

ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. – In order to combat human trafficking within the state of Illinois, state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, is sponsoring legislation that aims to crack down on human trafficking perpetrators.

“It is clear to me that human trafficking is an issue that unites diverse communities throughout the state in a mission to end this disgusting crime,” Yingling said. “Survivors deserve justice. Lawmakers can no longer rest on their laurels and talk about the issue without actually taking action. I am proudly taking this stance to ensure that human trafficking criminals can no longer get away with their actions without facing consequences.”

The International Labor Organization estimates that 40.3 million people are trapped in human trafficking globally – 71% of whom are women and girls and 25% are children. In Illinois, almost 200 cases of human trafficking were reported in 2017, and the Human Trafficking Task Force report identified that at least 150 of those cases involved sex trafficking.

The Yingling-sponsored House Bill 4099, brought to legislators by the Lake County Sheriff, intends to expand the legal definition of sex trafficking and enact harsher punishments for those who commit this crime. The legislation also adds sex trafficking to the list of offenses for which perpetrators must register as a sex offender to protect survivors in more impactful ways.

“We took valuable steps forward last session to combat corrupt businesses from profiting off of human trafficking,” Yingling said. “Now we continue that work, and I will do everything I can to fight to bring consequences to the perpetrators, and rightful justice to the survivors of this heinous crime.”

Knowing how to spot the signs of human trafficking can save lives. Learn more about how you can help here: https://www.state.gov/15-ways-you-can-help-fight-human-trafficking/.