Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke Champions Human Trafficking Cases in Transformative First Year

CHICAGO (WLS) — In her inaugural year as Cook County State’s Attorney, Eileen O’Neill Burke has made tackling human trafficking a top priority. These cases, however, present significant challenges due to their complexity and the time required to bring them to justice.

“We are committed to using every resource at our disposal to dismantle these extensive networks,” stated O’Neill Burke.

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O’Neill Burke emphasizes that public education is a crucial element in combating human trafficking. Understanding what this crime entails is vital in the fight against it.

“At its core, human trafficking is about exerting power and control. Traffickers exploit the vulnerabilities of their victims and use this against them,” explained Holly Kremin, Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney.

Kremin heads the human trafficking unit within the office, focusing on these critical cases.

There are two types of trafficking: sex cases and labor cases. In Illinois, Kremin says there are many more incidents of labor trafficking, but they are often underreported because the victims tend to be workers living in the U.S. without legal permission.

Construction, cleaning services, factories, food service and farming all are examples of industries where human trafficking exists. Kremin says there are many examples in agriculture where victims work long hours with very little food or pay and are only able to leave their living quarters when working.

“One particular case, there were bunk beds of people. There was one bathroom for approximately 30 individuals,” Kremin said.

Whether it’s labor or sex trafficking, Kremin says 40% of victims are victimized by their own family members.

Speaking before a Chicago Bar Association event on human trafficking, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Virginia Kendall said public officials are not doing enough to combat human trafficking.

“People in authority, people who have positions of power who represent the people, they have turned a blind eye to this,” Kendall said.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is also prioritizing human trafficking cases. Because some of the cases are very complicated and also involve financial and interstate crimes, both offices must work together.