IllinoisSB2323104th General Assembly (2025–2026)SenateWALLET

HUMAN TRAFFICKING-VICTIMS

Sponsored By: Julie A. Morrison (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Illinois Statewide Trauma-Informed Response to Human Trafficking Act. Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that the Department of Children and Family Services shall maintain a human trafficking unit to coordinate services, initiate prevention efforts, and provide access to resources for case-management staff to serve youth in care who have been determined to be victims of human trafficking or assessed to be at high risk of becoming a victim of human trafficking, as well as ensure a prompt response by the Department to recover youth in care in the custody of law enforcement. Provides that the Department shall incorporate services for all child trafficking victims into the community-based services provided by the Department. Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall develop a strategic plan, in consultation with advocates and survivors, to establish a statewide system of identification and response to survivors of human trafficking and recommended levels of funding for phase-in of comprehensive victim-centered, trauma-informed statewide services for victims of human trafficking, including adults and children, and to sex and labor trafficking victims and require victim-centered, trauma-informed human trafficking training for caseworkers, treatment providers, investigators, foster parents, and residential home personnel. Amends the Illinois State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall develop a strategic plan to improve victim-centered, trauma-informed law enforcement response to victims of human trafficking across the State. Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board shall work with the Illinois State Police, local law enforcement, victim-centered, trauma-informed human trafficking service providers, and survivor leaders to develop, curriculum standards for training on victim-centered, trauma-informed detection, investigation, and response to human trafficking victims certified by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board. Amends various other Acts concerning various agencies responsibilities of addressing human trafficking. Effective January 1, 2026.

assignmentscriminal lawexecutive

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

13 provisions identified: 11 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

Legal defense for some trafficked minors

Minors have an affirmative legal defense for a status offense or misdemeanor tied to being a trafficking victim. The offense must occur during or because of that victimization. The defense covers only conduct that would not be illegal if an adult did it.

More time for childhood trafficking lawsuits

Beginning January 1, 2026, childhood sexual abuse lawsuit timing rules also cover trafficking violations against minors. These rules include a 20-year period measured from when the time limit begins or discovery of both the violation and injury. They also state that an action may be started at any time. The law does not set a damages amount.

Broader protections against forced labor

Illinois broadens the ways a person can commit involuntary servitude by knowingly forcing, attempting, or conspiring to force labor or services. Covered means include possessing another person's passport, immigration papers, or government ID, or attempting to destroy, hide, remove, or confiscate them. They also include abusing trust, authority, or supervision through the use or withholding of alcohol or specified drugs. Courts sentencing trafficking-related offenses must consider the victims' ages.

Child advocacy centers strengthen trafficking responses

Each Illinois Children's Advocacy Center must include trafficking allegations in its county team's response plan. Centers must build teams' ability to identify, assess, and serve trafficked children and youth through coordinated care that addresses trauma. Staff and contractors who encounter victims must receive victim-centered training that addresses trauma. Centers must work with the Department of Human Services on training standards for centers and team members.

Courts can hear earlier victim statements

In covered trafficking prosecutions, courts can admit qualifying victims' earlier statements after a reliability hearing outside the jury's presence. The victim must testify, or be unavailable with other evidence supporting the act. For offenses against children under 13, statements must be made before age 13 or within 3 months after the offense, whichever is later.

More trafficking help in juvenile justice

Beginning January 1, 2026, Illinois juvenile justice must create screening and follow-up plans for trafficked or at-risk children and teens. Plans should address assessment and services before and after release, including victims' specialized needs. Identified trafficked youth must have access to substance-use treatment, mental health care, medical care, and other support. Service providers must complete victim-centered training that addresses trauma. Juvenile justice agencies and direct service staff must receive statewide training to identify and respond to child trafficking.

Officers get new trafficking response standards

By July 1, 2026, Illinois's police training board must set victim-centered trafficking training standards and provide agency policy guidelines. Every law enforcement agency must adopt and implement written policies matching those guidelines by July 1, 2027. The board must provide or approve training covering all trafficking forms for certified police, correctional, and court security officers. Sexual assault and abuse training must include trafficking screening developed with a statewide nonprofit representing sexual violence survivors. Training must address race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, immigration status, justice involvement, and past trafficking.

Police coordinate statewide trafficking responses

Illinois State Police must create a victim-centered statewide trafficking response plan by July 1, 2026, and support local task forces. Each task force must include specially trained victim-service, local or county police, prosecutor, and child advocacy center representatives. State Police must standardize investigations and responses to hotline reports, tips, and traffic stops, and support local agencies encountering victims. Training standards and agency guidelines are due July 1, 2026. Task forces must meet quarterly; State Police and Human Services must hold an annual training conference, subject to approved funding.

Prosecutors get support for trafficking cases

Illinois's Office of the State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor must support local prosecutors pursuing human traffickers. It must work with state and national experts to develop and provide victim-centered prosecution training that addresses trauma. No funding amount is specified.

Protected courtroom testimony for trafficking victims

In trafficking and involuntary servitude prosecutions, courts can let qualifying victims testify outside the courtroom by closed-circuit television. Victims qualify if under 18 or if they have a developmental disability or a moderate, severe, or profound intellectual disability. The judge must make the required finding about serious emotional distress or severe adverse effects.

Trafficking support in adult corrections

Illinois corrections must create screening and follow-up plans for people whose past trafficking, sexual exploitation, or sex-trade involvement creates trafficking risks. Plans should address housing, legal help, medical care, mental health care, and substance-use treatment before and after release. People in its care at risk because of past trafficking or child sexual exploitation must be offered specialized services, including case management and housing. Service providers must complete victim-centered training that addresses trauma. Intake and reentry staff and contractors must also receive statewide training to identify and respond to these risks.

Trafficking convictions can close corporations

Beginning January 1, 2026, Illinois's Secretary of State can administratively dissolve a corporation after a covered trafficking-related conviction. This authority applies when the corporation, any incorporator, or any director is convicted.

Apparel contractors must certify labor practices

Contractors supplying apparel or laundering services to Illinois state agencies must certify that no work used forced labor or exploitation. The requirement applies to these state contracts. No contract amounts or consumer price changes are specified.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Julie A. Morrison

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Adriane L. Johnson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Amy Briel

    Democratic • House

  • Amy Elik

    Republican • House

  • Amy L. Grant

    Republican • House

  • Andrew S. Chesney

    Republican • Senate

  • Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar

    Democratic • House

  • Ann M. Williams

    Democratic • House

  • Anthony DeLuca

    Democratic • House

  • Barbara Hernandez

    Democratic • House

  • Bill Cunningham

    Democratic • Senate

  • Bob Morgan

    Democratic • House

  • Bradley Fritts

    Republican • House

  • Brandun Schweizer

    Republican • House

  • Camille Y. Lilly

    Democratic • House

  • Chris Balkema

    Republican • Senate

  • Craig Wilcox

    Republican • Senate

  • Cristina Castro

    Democratic • Senate

  • Dale Fowler

    Republican • Senate

  • Daniel Didech

    Democratic • House

  • Daniel J. Ugaste

    Republican • House

  • David Koehler

    Democratic • Senate

  • Donald P. DeWitte

    Republican • Senate

  • Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez

    Democratic • House

  • Erica Harriss

    Republican • Senate

  • Eva-Dina Delgado

    Democratic • House

  • Graciela Guzmán

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jaime M. Andrade, Jr.

    Democratic • House

  • Jason Plummer

    Republican • Senate

  • Jason R. Bunting

    Republican • House

  • Javier L. Cervantes

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jehan Gordon-Booth

    Democratic • House

  • John F. Curran

    Republican • Senate

  • John M. Cabello

    Republican • House

  • Joyce Mason

    Democratic • House

  • Karina Villa

    Democratic • Senate

  • Katie Stuart

    Democratic • House

  • Kelly M. Cassidy

    Democratic • House

  • Kevin Schmidt

    Republican • House

  • Kimberly A. Lightford

    Democratic • Senate

  • Laura M. Murphy

    Democratic • Senate

  • Li Arellano, Jr.

    Republican • Senate

  • Linda Holmes

    Democratic • Senate

  • Margaret Croke

    Democratic • House

  • Mark L. Walker

    Democratic • Senate

  • Martha Deuter

    Democratic • House

  • Martin J. Moylan

    Democratic • House

  • Mary Edly-Allen

    Democratic • Senate

  • Matt Hanson

    Democratic • House

  • Maura Hirschauer

    Democratic • House

  • Maurice A. West, II

    Democratic • House

  • Michael E. Hastings

    Democratic • Senate

  • Michael J. Kelly

    Democratic • House

  • Michael W. Halpin

    Democratic • Senate

  • Michelle Mussman

    Democratic • House

  • Mike Simmons

    Democratic • Senate

  • Nicole La Ha

    Republican • House

  • Nicolle Grasse

    Democratic • House

  • Patrick Sheehan

    Republican • House

  • Patrick Windhorst

    Republican • House

  • Paul Faraci

    Democratic • Senate

  • Robert "Bob" Rita

    Democratic • House

  • Robert F. Martwick

    Democratic • Senate

  • Robert Peters

    Democratic • Senate

  • Ryan Spain

    Republican • House

  • Sally J. Turner

    Republican • Senate

  • Seth Lewis

    Republican • Senate

  • Stephanie A. Kifowit

    Democratic • House

  • Steve McClure

    Republican • Senate

  • Steven Reick

    Republican • House

  • Sue Scherer

    Democratic • House

  • Suzanne M. Ness

    Democratic • House

  • Terri Bryant

    Republican • Senate

  • Tracy Katz Muhl

    Democratic • House

  • Travis Weaver

    Republican • House

  • William E Hauter

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 189 • No: 0

House vote • 5/22/2025

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed

Yes: 114 • No: 0

House vote • 4/23/2025

Do Pass / Short Debate Executive Committee;

Yes: 11 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/9/2025

Third Reading - Passed;

Yes: 56 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/19/2025

Do Pass as Amended Criminal Law;

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0159

    8/13/2025Senate
  2. Effective Date January 1, 2026; Some Provisions

    8/13/2025Senate
  3. Effective Date August 13, 2025; Some Provisions

    8/13/2025Senate
  4. Governor Approved

    8/13/2025Senate
  5. Sent to the Governor

    6/20/2025Senate
  6. Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Steven Reick

    5/23/2025House
  7. Passed Both Houses

    5/22/2025Senate
  8. Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 114-000-000

    5/22/2025House
  9. Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Suzanne M. Ness

    5/22/2025House
  10. Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Nicolle Grasse

    5/22/2025House
  11. Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Daniel J. Ugaste

    5/22/2025House
  12. Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. William E Hauter

    5/22/2025House
  13. Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Jason R. Bunting

    5/22/2025House
  14. Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Patrick Sheehan

    5/22/2025House
  15. Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Kevin Schmidt

    5/22/2025House
  16. Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Barbara Hernandez

    5/22/2025House
  17. Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Amy Briel

    5/22/2025House
  18. Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Sue Scherer

    5/22/2025House
  19. Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Stephanie A. Kifowit

    5/22/2025House
  20. Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Anthony DeLuca

    5/22/2025House
  21. Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Brandun Schweizer

    5/21/2025House
  22. Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Amy L. Grant

    5/14/2025House
  23. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate

    5/14/2025House
  24. Second Reading - Short Debate

    5/14/2025House
  25. Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Patrick Windhorst

    5/9/2025House

Bill Text

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