Illinois State Police push for strategic plan to combat human trafficking

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS) — The Illinois State Police (ISP) is intensifying efforts to combat human trafficking, with ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly and key stakeholders set to address the Senate Criminal Law Committee regarding Senate Bill 2323.

The proposed legislation aims to develop a strategic plan to enhance a victim-centered, trauma-informed law enforcement response to trafficking victims and establish training standards for detection, investigation, and response.

"Human trafficking can come in many forms, from commercial sex acts to forced labor," said Director Kelly. "Because human trafficking has many faces and can happen almost anywhere, it is important to have a comprehensive, statewide trauma-informed response that encompasses those who may come in contact with individuals who are being trafficked, such as law enforcement, child services, case workers, treatment providers, and others."

In 2024, the ISP Trafficking Enforcement Bureau (TEB) conducted seven human trafficking demand suppression operations, leading to 31 arrests and 90 criminal charges.

The operations took place in Bloomington, Carbondale, Columbia, Danville, Effingham, Rockford, and Yorkville, with charges including Indecent Solicitation of a Child, Traveling to Meet a Child, Grooming, Solicitation to Meet a Child, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Armed Violence.

Additionally, ISP obtained charges in three more cases, including Involuntary Servitude and Promoting Prostitution.

Since the TEB's inception in 2022, over 1,200 ISP officers have received human trafficking awareness training, and more than 130 officers have been trained in advanced investigative techniques.

In 2024, ISP collaborated with the Texas Department of Public Safety to provide Interdiction for the Protection of Children (IPC) training for front-line officers to identify signs that a child may be a victim, at-risk of victimization, or missing.