La Ha bill requires human trafficking signs in rest area restrooms

With Illinois' geographic position as a crossroads of the nation, one Illinois legislator wants to require human trafficking signs be posted in rest area restrooms to spread awareness and get victims help.

State Representative Nicole La Ha wants to make the human trafficking resource signs, already required under previous Illinois law, to be more visible to the possible victims at the states rest areas. "We know that human traffickers utilize the state's rest areas and this can become a point when victims find help," said La Ha in explaining the need for the bill.

Illinois' current law requires human trafficking resource signs or posters in various locations, with information about how to get help, a hotline number, and signs of being forced to work in the sex trade. Other locations required to post the signs include businesses with liquor licenses, primary airports, rail stations, bus stations, adult entertainment facilities, truck stops, emergency rooms, urgent care centers, job recruitment centers, and massage parlors.

"Wherever human trafficking is occurring, we must work to stop it," said La Ha. "I continue our work to shore up our laws addressing this problem; providing victims help to recover and bringing traffickers to justice."

Those interested in following the progress of La Ha's House Bill 4654 can follow the bill at the Illinois General Assembly's website, ILGA.gov, or check Representative La Ha's legislative website at RepLaHa.com for updates.