State Representative Jeff Keicher (IL) | Representative Jeff Keicher (R) 70th District
State Representative Jeff Keicher (IL) | Representative Jeff Keicher (R) 70th District
State Representative Jeff Keicher's bill aimed at assisting victims of human trafficking has made significant progress in the Illinois House’s Judiciary – Criminal Committee. Keicher expressed his dedication to helping vulnerable victims, particularly children, stating, “Victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, especially children, represent our most vulnerable, and we need to do everything we can to help them through their recovery process.”
Keicher's personal connection to the issue stems from a family tragedy, as he shared, "Improving support for victims of abuse has been something personal for Keicher since joining the General Assembly, as a family member who was abused as a child tragically died due to a lack of resources to help victims recover."
The legislation, House Bill 5465, focuses on facilitating the expungement or sealing of juvenile records for child victims of trafficking who were coerced into criminal acts while being abused. Keicher emphasized the importance of this bill in aiding victims' healing process, stating, “One of the first steps in helping someone heal after immense trauma like sexual abuse is ensuring their past doesn’t follow them around, and I believe HB 5465 is an important component of helping victims heal.”
Keicher's efforts to combat human trafficking and improve resources for victims were further highlighted during his recent appearance on the Capitol Crimes Podcast. He also urged the public and media to report any suspected trafficking cases by utilizing the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
House Minority Leader Tony McCombie recognized Keicher's commitment to supporting victims by appointing him to Illinois’ Human Trafficking Task Force. Keicher expressed hope that this role would lead to tangible policy changes benefiting victims.
Representing the 70th District, which includes portions of DeKalb, Kane, and McHenry Counties, Keicher continues to advocate for victims of human trafficking and work towards improving their access to recovery resources.
Alerts Sign-up