County Commissioner Gorman pushes resolution to stop Human Trafficking

February 15, 2014 | Filed under: Citizen Bloggers,County Gov,News | Posted by: admin

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County Commissioner Gorman pushes resolution to stop Human Trafficking

Elizabeth Ann Doody Gorman (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Cook County Commissioner Elizabeth “Liz” Doody Gorman (R-17th) proposed legislation this week that would compel cell phone providers to require identification of all customers, a move she said will help undermine human trafficking.

Recognizing that temporary cell phones — also called throw-away phones — are often used by criminals to conduct their business, Gorman said tracking them would help bring criminal activity down.

Here is the full resolution introduced by Commissioner Gorman to the Cook County Board.

A RESOLUTION URGING LEGISLATION THAT WOULD REQUIRE CELLULAR PHONE PROVIDERS TO
REQUIRE IDENTIFICATION ON ALL CUSTOMERS

WHEREAS, human trafficking is defined by the United States Department of State as “activities involved
when one person obtains or holds another person in compelled service; and

WHEREAS, an estimated 2.5 million people, 80 percent of whom are women and girls, worldwide are
victims of this modern day form of slavery; and

WHEREAS, in the city of Chicago and suburban Cook County someone is reported missing every 30
minutes, many of those are girls as young as twelve years old who are held against their will and fall
victim to Human Trafficking; and

WHEREAS, recent statistics have named Human Trafficking the second largest most profitable criminal
enterprise among members of organized crime and violent street gangs; and

WHEREAS, modern technology allows traffickers to operate virtually undetected by the use of social
media where many victims are forced to pose for humiliating and degrading pictures that are then
posted on the internet and available to be viewed by individuals seeking to engage in sexual acts in
exchange for money further contributing to the sexual exploitation; and

WHEREAS, one of the most valuable resources available to traffickers to continue to remain undetected
while maintaining constant communication with victims of Human Trafficking, their associates, and
potential customers is the use of cellular phones; and

WHEREAS, no contract prepaid cell phones are referred to on the street as burners or drop phones and
are impossible to track because phone carriers do not require a contact, photo identification or a
minimum age; and

WHEREAS, in instances where law enforcement’s only lead in rescuing a kidnapped victim is being able
to determine who a cell phone number is registered too, can be the difference between life and death.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the President and Cook County Board of Commissioners urges
the United States Congress and the Illinois General Assembly to pass legislation that would require all
cell phone carriers to secure and keep on file photo identification which includes a physical address from
any person wishing to obtain a cellular phone whether or not a contract is involved.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be presented to the President of the United States, the
legislative leaders of Congress from both political parties, the Governor of the State of Illinois, the
legislative leaders of the General Assembly from both political parties and all Members of Congress who
represent Cook County and all Members of the Illinois General Assembly who represent Cook County.