DeKalb Times

State Representative Jeff Keicher, along with fellow Representatives Nicole La Ha, Jennifer Sanalitro, and Brad Stephens, introduced a package of legislation aimed at combating human trafficking and supporting victims. Keicher emphasized the importance of addressing human trafficking, stating, “Human trafficking and exploitation are much more pervasive problems than many of us realize, and it can happen in any community regardless of size or location.” He further added, “Our state is failing when it comes to preventing these horrific crimes and helping victims heal.”

Keicher shared a personal connection to the issue, revealing that a family member who was abused as a child tragically died due to a lack of resources for victims. He highlighted a specific bill within the package, House Bill 5465, which focuses on expunging or sealing juvenile records for child victims of sex trafficking to help them heal from the trauma they experienced.

Illinois currently faces challenges in addressing human trafficking and sexual exploitation, receiving an F grade in the Report Card on Child & Youth Sex Trafficking. The proposed legislation includes various bills targeting different aspects of human trafficking. Representative La Ha introduced House Bill 5466, which eliminates the defense of mistaken age for patronizing a minor engaged in prostitution. She also presented House Bill 5467, which removes the statute of limitations for prosecutions of certain offenses involving minors.

Additional bills in the package tackle issues such as requiring convicted traffickers to register as sex offenders, creating defenses for trafficking victims who commit crimes, and establishing an order of protection for victims of human trafficking. Representative Stephens’ bill adds language to ensure buyers are held accountable as sex trafficking offenders.

During a press conference, the lawmakers stressed the importance of raising awareness about human trafficking and encouraged the public to report any suspected cases to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Representative Keicher represents the 70th District, encompassing parts of DeKalb, Kane, and McHenry Counties. For more information about the proposed legislation and Rep. Keicher, visit RepKeicher.com.