Traffick Free

In an effort to expand Illinois human trafficking prevention laws, Illinois Senate Bill 1422 requires certain hospitality employees to complete human trafficking prevention training within six months of hiring, and every two years thereafter.

On Saturday, June 20, volunteers will visit bars and restaurants in their local neighborhoods to distribute informational flyers and speak briefly with managers or staff about the requirements of the Bill.

This outreach effort is designed to be simple, approachable, and community-focused. Volunteers will be provided with materials, talking points/a script to follow, and guidance ahead of time. To help everyone feel prepared and confident, we will host a volunteer training and Q&A session on Tuesday, June 16 at 12:00 PM CT.

Additional event details and outreach materials will be shared closer to the event date. If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up via the link.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd8xhb40GyhfXeQnrc24DZxTwZW03aIUO5I6rrG-H73dUmQ1Q/viewform

Jess Michaels and Jena-Lisa Jones attended the Children's Advocacy Center's Luminary Award Dinner fundraiser, where Michaels also served as the event's Keynote speaker.

Chicago Nonprofit Hosts Epstein Survivors Who Say They’re Finding Ways to Heal Through Advocacy Jess Michaels and Jena-Lisa Jones, survivors of abuse by late s*x trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, said that while Epstein survivors are still far from getting justice, they hope the increased attention on the Epstein Files — and the stories of survivors – will help others stand up to abuse happening...

"In a 2022 study of s*x trafficking survivors, about half reported that they had branding tattoos. So, to support survivors’ recovery, some dermatologists have started to offer free tattoo removal services."

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/23/well/tattoo-removal-s*x-trafficking.html

"House Bill 4654, approved on a vote of 107-0, strengthens efforts to combat human trafficking by requiring clear, visible resource notices in all public restrooms at Illinois roadside rest areas. These locations can offer victims a rare moment alone and a chance to seek help."

https://www.wjol.com/human-trafficking-bill-passes-house-heads-to-senate/

We invite you to join an event to raise awareness about human trafficking.

In response to Illinois Senate Bill 1422, which requires restaurant employers to provide human trafficking training, volunteers will visit local restaurants to invite them and their staff members to free training sessions hosted by Traffick Free.

Date and time for the outreach event TBD. Interested in participating? Sign-up via the form. And thank you!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd8xhb40GyhfXeQnrc24DZxTwZW03aIUO5I6rrG-H73dUmQ1Q/viewform

"The new task force — the Illinois Trafficking Enforcement Group (ITEG) — will consist of three agencies: the Decatur Police Department, the Illinois State Police and the McLean County Sheriff’s Office."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/decatur-police-dept-joins-central-illinois-human-trafficking-task-force/ar-AA1Idb9M?apiversion=v2&domshim=1&noservercache=1&noservertelemetry=1&batchservertelemetry=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1