At a press conference yesterday Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser announced the formation of the Human Exploitation Unit (HEU), a specialized team dedicated to investigating and prosecuting human trafficking offenses, including sex and labor trafficking. The unit will operate within the office’s Criminal Division and will be overseen by First Assistant State’s Attorney Christine Bayer.
The HEU is funded through a $1 million grant from the State of Illinois, secured with the support of State Senator Linda Holmes. The funding will allow the unit to provide specialized training, enhance investigative resources, and support victims of trafficking.
The HEU was established in response to the rising incidents of human trafficking in Kane County and the need for enhanced training and investigative resources. According to Mosser, the initiative builds on the success of the Child Exploitation Unit (CEU), which has led to the arrest of 44 individuals for child pornography offenses since its inception in late 2022.
“The creation of this unit is a crucial step toward ensuring that human traffickers are identified, arrested, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Mosser.
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, human trafficking prosecutions nationwide have more than doubled from 2012 to 2022. Despite this increase, many cases remain unreported or improperly investigated. In Kane County, sex trafficking cases have historically been treated as prostitution offenses, and potential labor trafficking cases have gone largely unexamined due to resource constraints.
The HEU will work closely with law enforcement agencies in Kane County, providing investigative assistance, specialized training, and resources to combat human trafficking.
“I am honored to lead this new Human Exploitation Unit and to work alongside a dedicated team of professionals committed to fighting human trafficking in Kane County,” said Bayer. “This unit will be committed to a trauma-informed approach, ensuring that survivors are treated with compassion and respect, and connecting them with resources necessary for recovery.”
Watch the full press conference at https://www.facebook.com/KaneSAO/
