SPRINGFIELD — A Senate committee has passed a bill this week aimed at strengthening Illinois’ response to human trafficking through specialized training, victim-centered support, and enhanced cross-agency coordination.
Senate Bill 2323 builds on recommendations from the Illinois Joint Human Trafficking Working Group, which was formed in 2023. The bill focuses on victim screening, multi-agency collaboration, and trauma-informed training for professionals interacting with trafficking survivors.
Brenda Myers-Powell, a Chicago native and advocate who survived 25 years as a victim of human trafficking starting in childhood, testified in support of the bill at the state Capitol on Wednesday.
“I wish someone had recognized the signs when I was vulnerable,” Myers-Powell said. “The expanded screening for youth in state care could have identified my situation before it escalated. The creation of standards of care means survivors like me won’t have inconsistent, sometimes retraumatizing responses I encountered.”
Comprehensive Approach to Combat Human Trafficking
If passed, SB 2323 would mandate multiple state agencies to form specialized units trained in identifying and assisting trafficking victims. The bill seeks to bridge gaps in victim identification and case management by fostering interdepartmental cooperation and ensuring frontline responders have the necessary training to address human trafficking effectively.
Sen. Julie Morrison, D-Deerfield, the bill’s lead sponsor, emphasized Illinois’ role as a major transportation hub, making it particularly susceptible to human trafficking.
“As a transportation hub, Illinois ranks among the highest in the number of human trafficking cases in the whole United States,” Morrison said Wednesday.
A key component of the legislation is requiring the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to maintain a specialized human trafficking unit. This unit would provide case management and other services for victims while coordinating efforts with law enforcement and social service providers.
Underreported Cases and the Need for Better Identification
During a Senate committee hearing on Tuesday, Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly provided data indicating fewer than 600 human trafficking victims were reported to state agencies between 2021 and 2023. Additionally, DCFS received 966 reports of suspected child trafficking during the same period. However, Kelly stressed that these figures likely represent only a fraction of the true number of cases.
“We know that human trafficking exists in our state but is sometimes unrecognized, as victims aren’t identified, and underlying crimes are unreported,” Kelly said Wednesday.
Kelly further explained that while law enforcement is adept at recognizing perpetrators, officers may not always identify victims who are being coerced.
“We have to have a comprehensive approach so that when we encounter someone who’s a victim, there is a handshake between law enforcement and all these social service providers,” Kelly said. “It’s simply not enough to hand them a pamphlet or a phone number and move on to the next bad guy. We have to break the cycle by making sure we’re better serving victims.”
Victim-Centered, Trauma-Informed Response
A core tenet of SB 2323 is implementing “victim-centered, trauma-informed” responses from law enforcement and other state agencies. By prioritizing survivor input and specialized training, the bill aims to improve how professionals interact with victims and provide appropriate support.
“This bill takes into account the complex trauma associated with human trafficking,” Kelly added. “Listening to survivors like Brenda Myers-Powell helps us develop better strategies for identifying and assisting victims.”
With the committee’s approval, the bill now advances to the full Senate for a vote.
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