Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced his office partnered with Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) for an awareness event that brought together representatives of the transportation industry with law enforcement and government agencies to better identify and combat human trafficking in the transportation industry.
Attorney General Raoul addressed attendees of the event at Joliet Junior College in Joliet, Illinois, which was designed to educate transportation industry employees to identify signs of human trafficking and report this crime in real time. The event featured human trafficking prevention and awareness training; training resources for the trucking, truck stop, bus and energy industries; a law enforcement panel discussion; and a presentation from a trafficking survivor.
“Human traffickers exploit those who are most vulnerable, moving their victims frequently to avoid detection. Giving transportation workers the tools to identify signs that someone could be a victim of human trafficking will support law enforcement efforts to stop the perpetrators of these crimes,” Raoul said. “Truckers Against Trafficking recognized the important role truckers can play in recognizing human trafficking. My office is proud to partner with Truckers Against Trafficking, the Illinois Trucking Association, the Illinois State Police and law enforcement around Illinois to address human trafficking.”
TAT started in 2009 with a mission of helping every truck driver be an ally in the fight against human trafficking. Since then, TAT has grown to encompass a larger part of the transportation industry, forming alliances through programs such as innovative training, partnerships with law enforcement and advocacy efforts. As a result, TAT has raised awareness about trafficking, who it targets and its signs, and equipped individuals to take action whenever possible.
The event with TAT is Raoul’s latest effort to combat human trafficking. The 2021 Way Forward Act requires law enforcement agencies to report to Raoul’s office annually regarding the Illinois TRUST Act and the Voices of Immigrant Communities Empowering Survivors (VOICES) Act. Both were enacted to increase trust and cooperation between immigrant communities and police departments largely by prohibiting law enforcement agencies from participating in federal immigration enforcement, and by creating procedural requirements to support immigrants who have been victims of violent crime or human trafficking.
Earlier this year, Raoul’s legislation to increase accessibility to the Illinois Crime Victims Compensation Program was signed into law. Administered by the Attorney General’s office, the program provides reimbursement to eligible victims and families of violent crimes, such as human trafficking. It also helps victims and families pay expenses that include hospital and medical charges, funeral and burial costs, relocation expenses and lost wages related to the crime.
The Attorney General’s Civil Rights Bureau protects the civil rights of all Illinois residents. The bureau monitors, investigates and enforces civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination on behalf of the state, works to strengthen civil rights laws and participates in community outreach programs. Members of the public are encouraged to report discrimination or hate crimes by emailing CivilRights@ilag.gov or by calling the Civil Rights Hotline at 1-877-581-3692.
The Attorney General’s Violence Prevention and Crime Victim Services Division helps victims and families on their road to recovery with trauma-informed, statewide programs and resources. For additional information on services for crime victims or to report a violation of victims’ rights, please call the Attorney General’s Crime Victims Assistance Line at 1-800-228-3368 or visit the Attorney General’s website.
Attorney General Raoul’s Workplace Rights Bureau protects and advances the employment rights of all Illinois residents, particularly the state’s most vulnerable residents and immigrant populations. The bureau investigates and litigates cases involving serious or persistent wage law violations or other significant employment practices, and monitors and proposes legislation concerning labor and employment issues. Attorney General Raoul encourages workers who have concerns about wage and hour violations to call his Workplace Rights Hotline at 1-844-740-5076 or visit the office’s website to submit an online complaint in English or in Spanish.
