Illinois

Named for the Illinois Indians, Illinois became the 21st state in 1818. Its capital is Springfield, which is the home of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

Human trafficking is a serious issue that affects people all around the world, including in Illinois. It is a form of modern slavery in which individuals are exploited for labor, sexual exploitation, or other purposes.

In Illinois, human trafficking can take many forms, including forced labor, domestic servitude, and sexual exploitation. It often affects vulnerable populations, such as immigrants, children, and people who are homeless or in poverty.

Illinois has taken steps to address the issue of human trafficking, including passing legislation to strengthen penalties for traffickers and to provide support and services to victims. The state also has a task force dedicated to addressing human trafficking, which works to raise awareness and coordinate efforts to prevent and combat the issue.

If you suspect that someone you know may be a victim of human trafficking, there are steps you can take to help. You can report the situation to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or by text at 233733. You can also contact local law enforcement or a trusted organization that provides services to victims of human trafficking. It is important to remember that the safety of the victim should be the top priority and to handle the situation with care and sensitivity.

Aurora residents sent to prison for child labor trafficking – Daily Herald
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Aurora residents sent to prison for child labor trafficking – Daily Herald

Two Aurora residents have been sentenced to 6½ years in prison by a federal judge in Chicago for child labor trafficking. Santos Teodoro Ac-Salazar, 27, and Olga Choc Laj, 34, who are Guatemalan nationals, admitted they entered the United States unlawfully with two children, ages 10 and 15, who were not their own, according to…

Inside the Government’s Failing Program to Protect Farmworkers
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Inside the Government’s Failing Program to Protect Farmworkers

Editor’s Note: This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting and was originally published by Investigate Midwest.   In early 2019 in Illinois, a farmworker, his wife and his son lived in a moldy house. Attempting to keep the winter cold at bay, he’d spray-foamed the windows shut. The toilet often malfunctioned. Unlike most farmworker housing,…

Keicher Bill Supporting Trafficking Victims Receives Unanimous Support | Algonquin, IL Patch
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Keicher Bill Supporting Trafficking Victims Receives Unanimous Support | Algonquin, IL Patch

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author’s own. Last week, the Illinois House of Representatives gave unanimous approval to legislation filed by State Representative Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore). House Bill 2418 creates a pathway to expunge criminal records for victims of human trafficking as they seek to recover…

A fake reality show trailer shines light on the real issue of US child marriage
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A fake reality show trailer shines light on the real issue of US child marriage

JTA — A three-minute trailer teases a new reality show called “Unseen Housewives,” and features women describing their experiences as child brides in forced marriages. “I was groomed by a pedophile at age 14 and married by age 16,” one of four young women in the trailer tells the camera. “I turned into a housewife…

Human Trafficking Statistics By Age, Venue, Type and Region – Enterprise Apps Today
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Human Trafficking Statistics By Age, Venue, Type and Region – Enterprise Apps Today

Introduction Human Trafficking Statistics: Today, we reside in a modern world but yet there is not a single day when illegal activities do not happen. Unfortunately, illegal activities are focused more on girls and women. Sexual violence in such cases badly affects their physical, emotional as well as mental health. And surprisingly, even developed countries…

How U.S. policy drives child migrants into dangerous jobs
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How U.S. policy drives child migrants into dangerous jobs

Recent stories of migrant children working long hours and under dangerous conditions in the United States have shed light on how pervasive migrant child labor has become in this country. In December, Reuters published the third part of a year-long investigation about migrant children as young as 12 working in Alabama chicken plants and in…

New bill directs universities to implement human trafficking awareness training – Royal Examiner
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New bill directs universities to implement human trafficking awareness training – Royal Examiner

This story is being published through a partnership between the Mercury and the Medill News Service. Tricia Obester, an elementary school teacher and mother of a high school freshman, knew fentanyl overdoses were a national crisis. She was also aware that nationally some students were taking drugs. What she didn’t realize was how young some…

R. Kelly's 10 sex abuse charges in Chicago get dropped – Hip Hop Vibe
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R. Kelly's 10 sex abuse charges in Chicago get dropped – Hip Hop Vibe

R. Kelly is on his way to spending the rest of his life in prison. In September 2021, he was convicted of his Brooklyn sex trafficking case, on all counts. As a result, the disgraced R&B star was sentenced to 30 years in prison. In his Illinois child trafficking trial, last September, Kelly was guilty…

OSU students holding fashion show to combat human trafficking
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OSU students holding fashion show to combat human trafficking

A student organization at Ohio State University is holding a fashion show Sunday evening to combat human trafficking in Ohio. The Unchained OSU Fashion Show, organized by a student group of the same name, will use fashion to tell the story of a survivor of human trafficking and raise funds for a special scholarship for…