The Illinois State Police have released data on arrests made in 2024 for human trafficking-related charges, including incidents in cities near Wayne County. This information, provided by the Trafficking Enforcement Bureau (TEB), underscores ongoing efforts to combat this critical issue.
According to the report, Carbondale recorded six arrests resulting in a total of 18 charges last year, while Effingham reported five arrests with seven charges. Overall, the TEB conducted seven independent operations throughout 2024, leading to 31 arrests and 90 charges across various locations, including Bloomington, Columbia, Danville, Rockford, and Yorkville, as well as in Effingham and Carbondale.
The charges varied from indecent solicitation and traveling to meet a child to solicitation to meet a child. Other serious offenses included involuntary servitude and promoting prostitution.
ISP Director Brendon F. Kelly emphasized that trafficking can occur anywhere and remains one of the most underreported and underidentified crimes in the state.
Since its establishment in 2022, the TEB unit has trained over 1,200 officers in trafficking awareness and has equipped 130 officers with advanced investigative techniques to recognize the signs of victimization associated with this grave crime.
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