Local investigation brings down 10 traffickers in Chicago

August 24, 2011: Today in Chicago a group of gang members was charged with sex trafficking young girls. The collaborative effort by law enforcement to bring down these traffickers utilized new wiretapping capabilities made available by the Illinois Safe Children Act, a law our End Demand Illinois campaign created last year in partnership with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. The operation also led to the arrest of 27 johns or people who buy sex.

“We are proud that the Illinois Safe Children Act is being implemented in our community. Addressing demand by going after pimps, johns and traffickers is the most effective way to end the exploitation of women and girls in the sex trade,” Lynne Johnson, policy and advocacy director for the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation. “It is a remarkable shift that girls and women in this case were treated as victims worthy of services."

The Illinois Safe Children Act gives law enforcement new tools like wiretapping to build a case against traffickers. It also gives all minors in our state immunity from prosecution for prostitution. Read more about this sting on the State's Attorney's website.

For more information, contact Lynne Johnson, policy and advocacy director, lynne@caase.org (773) 244-2230 ext. 5