This past Friday, the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association (IHLA) hosted an event to close out Human Trafficking Prevention Month where more than 100 hotel employees across Illinois received training to ensure they are prepared to take action against human trafficking.

Hotels across the state do their best every day to welcome guests and build stronger communities. Sometimes, that means doing the hard and important work that is outside the boundaries of excellent guest service. For years, hotels have led the effort to protect our communities from human trafficking, and Human Trafficking Prevention Month is a time to reaffirm that responsibility.

The hotel industry is proud to play a leadership role in this effort, serving as a critical first line of defense in identifying and taking action to stop human trafficking and supporting survivors of this heinous crime.  We have prioritized collaboration with local, state, and national officials, and community-based organizations to support survivors, hold traffickers accountable, and turn awareness into meaningful action.

We believe that every hotel employee must play a role in prevention. Hotel employees across Illinois are trained to recognize the warning signs of human trafficking and to know how to respond appropriately. This training is not optional. In 2019, IHLA worked alongside lawmakers and law enforcement to enact the Human Trafficking Recognition Training Act to require that all employees are prepared and educated on how to spot the signs of human trafficking. This law standardized best practices that many hotels had already adopted, requiring hotel employees to complete training every two years to identify warning signs and understand best practices for reporting suspected criminal activity. This is central to the hotel industry’s commitment to protecting guests, employees, and communities.

The hotel industry’s work doesn’t just stop at prevention, it helps make communities and survivors safer by working with local organizations to equip survivors with the support they need to thrive. This includes support for emergency housing, workforce training programs, job placements within our companies, and mental health support for survivors of this crime.

The unfortunate reality is that traffickers sometimes exploit legitimate businesses, including hotels, without the knowledge of hotel operators.  By working together, we’re creating an environment that deters traffickers and safeguards the well-being of our guests, staff, and the communities we serve. That is why the hotel industry has long championed a proactive approach—ensuring employees are trained to identify suspicious behavior, understand the indicators of trafficking, and report concerns to law enforcement. Hotel employees are often among the first to notice warning signs, and proper training gives them both the tools and confidence to act safely and responsibly.

Last year, Illinois further strengthened these efforts with the passage of Senate Bill 1422, which gives municipalities the ability to ensure local hotels remain in compliance with training standards. This additional layer of accountability helps ensure training requirements are not only established, but followed—reinforcing a shared commitment to prevention and enforcement statewide.

Illinois has emerged as a leader in the effort to protect communities from human trafficking, but there is still more work to be done. Addressing this crisis requires sustained attention, strong partnerships, and a comprehensive approach that prioritizes prevention, enforcement, and survivor support year-round.

The hotel industry remains committed to doing its part and leading by example. We encourage other industries to join us in raising awareness of the warning signs of human trafficking and understanding how to report concerns safely. Together, we can protect the vulnerable and help prevent this deplorable crime.

To get help from the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, please call 1-888-373-7888. Do not attempt to confront a trafficker or a victim, instead contact law enforcement. Please all 911 for emergency situations, including threats of violence, assault, or emergency medical needs.

Michael Jacobson is the President and CEO of the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association (IHLA).