Chambana Sun

Brandun Schweizer, a candidate for Illinois State House District 104, emphasized the need for the state to enhance its efforts "to protect victims of human trafficking." Schweizer, set to compete against Democrat Jarrett Clem in the general election, discussed the status of various bills that are "aimed at supporting survivors."

"We must do better as a state to protect victims of human trafficking," said Schweizer, State Representative, according to Facebook. "Members of our caucus introduced a number of pieces of legislation this year aimed at supporting survivors. Here's where those bills stand."

In a Facebook post, Schweizer referred to a report from Capitol News Illinois that evaluated a report card issued by Shared Hope International, an advocacy organization focused on preventing sex trafficking. Unfortunately, Illinois did not achieve a passing grade. The organization evaluates six metrics and found that Illinois failed in four areas: Identification of and response to victims; continuum of care; tools for a victim-centered criminal justice response; and prevention and training. The state also received a D grade for access to justice for trafficking survivors. However, it scored a B for criminal provisions and earned "extra credit" in the categories of youth and child labor trafficking.

Screenshot of Rep. Brandun Schweizer's May 7 Facebook post | State Representative Brandun Schweizer Facebook page

The report highlighted that Illinois ranks fifth highest in the nation for sex trafficking incidents and ninth highest for labor trafficking according to data from the Human Trafficking Institute.

According to information provided by Illinois Republicans, more than half a dozen bills have been proposed to bolster human trafficking protections and increase prosecution for perpetrators.

House Bill 5465 would "allow a human trafficking victim to have their juvenile record from crimes committed while being trafficked as a minor sealed or expunged."

House Bill 5467 proposes eliminating the statute of limitations for trafficking, involuntary servitude, and involuntary sexual servitude specifically for victims who were minors at the time.

House Bill 5134 seeks to require traffickers, as well as those who commit involuntary servitude or involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, to register as sex offenders.

House Bill 5466 aims to prevent defendants from claiming they believed a minor involved in prostitution was "of legal age."

House Bill 5468 introduces an affirmative defense for human trafficking victims who committed crimes as part of the trafficking.

House Bill 5469 seeks to establish the Human Trafficking Order of Protection Act, which would allow victims or individuals acting on behalf of a juvenile victim to file orders of protection against the perpetrators.

Lastly, House Bill 5470 clarifies that "anyone who patronizes a minor sex trafficking victim would be liable for involuntary sexual servitude."

Schweizer was appointed to fill a vacancy in the 104th House District following the retirement of Rep. Mike Marron. A retired US Marine Corps Master Sergeant, Schweizer previously worked as a code enforcement inspector in Danville, where he resides with his wife and sons. He is also known for creating the Tiny Troops Soccer program, which teaches young children living on military bases the basics of soccer, according to his official biography for the Illinois House of Representatives.