By WJBC Staff

CHICAGO – State officials are reminding the public that human trafficking is a problem right here in Illinois.

Human trafficking can include being forced to perform labor or work as a prostitute and often involves minors. State Department of Children and Family Services Director George Sheldon said since 2011 there have been 821 allegations of child sex trafficking in Illinois.

“It’s important for the public to understand the signs of trafficking, by getting involved, calling 911, calling the Department of Children and Family Services Abuse and Neglect Hotline and to learn more about this scourge,” Sheldon said.

Sheldon said one of the most disturbing forms of human trafficking is forcing kids into prostitution. He recalled meeting a group of teens who had been trafficked for up to three years and feared being caught again.

“What I found that was more frightening is they were equally fearful that did they have any value other than their human body,” Sheldon said. “They had lost so much hope, they had lost their dignity, they had lost their lives. It still breaks my heart to consider what had been taken from them.”

Signs include indications of physical harm, spending a lot of time with an older boyfriend or girlfriend, isolation from friends and family and frequently running away. The DCFS hotline number is: 1-800-25-ABUSE.

The state is running ads on 20 digital billboards across the Chicago area on the issue. but Sheldon said human trafficking occurs all over Illinois.