IllinoisIllinois law directs child advocacy centers to coordinate trafficking responses
Illinois law requires child advocacy centers to coordinate trafficking responses and train staff, and gives eligible children an interview right when center resources allow.
What it does
Children's advocacy centers coordinate with agencies to respond to trafficking and train staff who work with victims. They also work with the state human services department on training standards.
A child whose case is accepted for investigation has the right to an interview through an accredited local advocacy center if the service is available. Investigators must tell the child about this right in a way the child can understand.
Argument forTrafficked children could receive more coordinated, trauma-informed help as advocacy centers work with agencies and train staff who meet with victims.
Argument againstChildren whose cases are accepted for investigation might not get an interview through an advocacy center when the center lacks available resources.
More detail
Children's advocacy centers must coordinate a response to human trafficking and train staff who work with victims. The duties cover each children's advocacy center and its employees and contractors who treat, interview, or come in contact with trafficking victims. Centers must work with the Department of Human Services to establish training standards.
A child has the right to a forensic interview through an accredited children's advocacy center serving the area where the incident occurred. The right covers children under 18 reported to the state child welfare department or law enforcement as victims of sexual assault or abuse, trafficking, involuntary servitude, or related offenses. The child's case must be accepted for investigation by the Department of Children and Family Services or law enforcement, and the center must have resources to provide the service. The child may assert the right, or a parent or guardian may do so when appropriate and with the child's assent. Investigators must tell the child about the right in a way the child can understand. For a child age 13 or older, law enforcement may notify a parent or guardian only if it confirms the notice would not conflict with the child's expressed wishes. The right applies when the case is accepted for investigation; no end date is stated.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Aug 10Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0832Latest
- Aug 10Effective Date January 1, 2027
- Aug 10Governor J. B. Pritzker ApprovedBecame Law
- Jun 25Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- May 27Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Matt Hanson
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 27Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Fred Crespo
- May 27Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Amy Briel
- May 27Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Sue Scherer
- May 27Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Stephanie A. Kifowit
- May 27Passed Both Houses
- May 27Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 102-003-000Passed House
- May 27Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
- May 22Third Reading/Final Action Deadline Extended-9(b) May 31, 2026
- May 19Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- May 19Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- May 15Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short DebateMinor
- May 14Do Pass / Short Debate Judiciary - Criminal Committee; 009-004-000
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- May 14Motion to Suspend Rule 21 - Prevailed 070-036-000
- May 14Motion Filed to Suspend Rule 21 Judiciary - Criminal Committee; Rep. Marcus C. Evans, Jr.
- May 14Committee Deadline Extended-Rule 9(b) May 15, 2026
- May 14Assigned to Judiciary - Criminal CommitteeMinor
- May 12Referred to Rules Committee
- May 12First ReadingMinor
- May 11Chief House Sponsor Rep. Michelle Mussman
- May 8Arrived in HouseMinor
- May 7Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Sally J. Turner
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- May 7Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Tabled Pursuant to Rule 5-4(a)Minor
- May 7Third Reading - Passed; 058-000-000Passed Senate
- Apr 29Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading April 30, 2026
- Apr 29Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Adopted; MorrisonMajor
- Apr 29Second ReadingMinor
- Apr 29Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Chris Balkema
- Apr 29Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Jason Plummer
- Apr 29Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Li Arellano, Jr.
- Apr 29Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommend Do Adopt Criminal Law; 007-000-000
- Apr 28Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Assignments Refers to Criminal Law
- Vote recorded Do Pass, Amendment 2. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 22Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Assignments
- Apr 22Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Julie A. MorrisonMinor
- Apr 17Rule 2-10 Third Reading Deadline Established As May 8, 2026
- Apr 14Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Criminal Law
- Apr 13Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
- Apr 13Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Julie A. MorrisonMinor
- Mar 31Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Adriane L. Johnson
- Mar 25Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel
- Mar 25Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Christopher Belt
- Mar 25Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mattie Hunter
- Mar 11Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 12, 2026Minor
- Mar 11Do Pass Criminal Law; 009-000-000
- Mar 10
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 3Postponed - Criminal Law
- Feb 17Assigned to Criminal LawMinor
- Feb 5Referred to Assignments
- Feb 5First ReadingMinor
- Feb 5Filed with Secretary by Sen. Julie A. MorrisonIntroduced
Criminal JusticeMental Health