DECATUR, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV)— The Illinois State Police, along with the Decatur Police Department, McLean County Sheriff’s Office, and the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, have created a new group to fight human trafficking across the state.
The Illinois Trafficking Enforcement Group (ITEG) will consist of local and state partners that are focused on fighting human trafficking and working with community groups and health organizations to provide trauma-informed support services to trafficked individuals.
“Human trafficking occurs not just globally, but locally, and it is critical law enforcement at all levels work together,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “The Illinois Trafficking Enforcement Group enables state and local law enforcement to literally work side by side, while coordinating with our federal partners, to stop this deplorable crime. By collaborating with the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, the Illinois Trafficking Enforcement Group will have access to cutting edge technology and the latest advancements in law enforcement resources to stop those benefiting from forced labor or sexual exploitation, and help those who have been trafficked.”
The ITEG will have its headquarters in the new Investigative Support Operations Center (ISOC) in Decatur, Illinois. This will allow them to equip special agents and inspectors with cutting-edge technology and the latest software. The news release from the Illinois State Police stated that the Howard G. Buffett Foundation has been instrumental in advancing law enforcement’s work by providing the necessary assets.
“Our investment in the Illinois Trafficking Enforcement Group and the Investigative Support Operations Center here in Decatur is part of our Foundation’s broader strategic initiative to combat human trafficking in America,” said Howard G. Buffett, Chairman and CEO of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation. “Many communities do not think human trafficking is happening where they live, but our work has shown that the more resources are dedicated to this issue, the more the crime is uncovered and disrupted. With today’s investment, Illinois becomes the seventh state with a dedicated task force.”
According to the release, having the new group within the ISOC will provide a central location where local, state, and federal partners can identify leads, dismantle criminal organizations, hold perpetrators accountable, and offer trauma-informed services to victims. The ISOC is also a functional human trafficking training center used to train undercover agents and ITEG inspectors to enhance their skills and methods for both proactive demand suppression details and victim recovery operations. The ITEG will also be investigating large-scale human trafficking conspiracy cases and the organizations taking part in them.
The ITEG is the next step from the Illinois State Police Trafficking Enforcement Bureau, which was created in January 2022 to provide a proactive approach to combating human trafficking. The Illinois State Police have been conducting monthly details across the state, including demand suppression details where those participating in human trafficking are targeted, as well as recovery operations aimed at providing help and support services to those who have been trafficked.
Since the Bureau’s establishment, over than 1,300 more officers have received training in human trafficking awareness, and almost 140 officers have been trained in advanced investigative techniques for human trafficking. In 2024, the Bureau conducted seven human trafficking demand suppression operations resulting in 31 arrests and 90 criminal charges.
