The Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association (IHLA) and American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) hosted the “No Room for Trafficking” seminar at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk on Jan. 30. More than 100 area hotel employees—including housekeepers, front desk staff, maintenance teams, and general managers—received training on how to identify and report human trafficking.
The event also featured remarks by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and a message from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, plus a panel discussion with industry officials, community groups, and trafficking-prevention organizations to emphasize the importance of building effective and workable partnerships to prevent crime and support victims. The program marks the conclusion of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, which is recognized annually throughout the month of January.
Hotels serve as a critical first line of defense in identifying, preventing, and reporting human trafficking, as criminals sometimes exploit legitimate businesses without the knowledge of operators and owners. Hotel employees are often among the first to notice warning signs, and regular, comprehensive training gives them the tools and confidence to act safely and responsibly.
The types of human trafficking hotels are susceptible to include sex and labor trafficking. In both categories, traffickers coerce victims by exploiting financial dependence (often including withholding pay, meaning it is forced labor), drug dependence, visa immigration status, homelessness, language barriers, and a lack of social supports. The Polaris Project, a survivor-centered movement aiming to end human trafficking, estimates 80% of commercial sex (prostitution) occurs at hotels. Large events—such as sporting events, concerts, and major conventions—can be attractive to traffickers, with the larger customer base and the large number of people present making trafficking harder to spot.
Human trafficking warning signs include hotel guests and staff that appear depleted of sleep, food, water, or basic hygiene; fearful/anxious/disassociated demeanor; appearing/acting as if under the influence of drugs; excessive bruising; traveling guests having no personal items; dressing inappropriately for their age; and any talk of getting paid very little or not at all for the work they do.
In 2019, IHLA worked alongside Illinois lawmakers and law enforcement to lead the effort in enacting the Human Trafficking Recognition Training Act, which requires that all Illinois lodging establishment, truck stop, and restaurant 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. In 2025, Illinois further strengthened these efforts with the passage of Senate Bill 1422, which gives municipalities the ability to ensure area 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.
“Hotels across the state do their best every day to welcome guests and build stronger communities,” says Michael Jacobson, president and CEO of IHLA, in a prepared statement. “Sometimes, that means doing the hard and important work outside the boundaries of excellent guest service—including preventing human trafficking. The training provided today empowers workers to take action against this crime, and we remain committed to partnering with policymakers, law enforcement officials, and other stakeholders to protect our communities and support survivors.”
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul adds, “Life-saving human trafficking prevention relies on strong coordination between state and local law enforcement and the private sector. The hotel industry’s leadership in ensuring employees have the tools they need to recognize and properly report suspicious activity continues to strengthen our collective ability to identify human trafficking, hold traffickers accountable, and support survivors across Illinois.”
Mayor Johnson says, “I am grateful to the IHLA and AHLA for hosting this seminar and being leaders in the mission to end human trafficking. With this training, hotel employees will be empowered to identify human trafficking and stand on the front lines of efforts to build a safer city. The city of Chicago is aligned in this effort, and my administration is committed to partnership with the hotel industry, the city’s law enforcement, and community partners so that we may support survivors and heal our communities.”
Through “No Room for Trafficking,” an initiative of the AHLA Foundation, hotel employees can access free training in more than 34 languages that help them to identify and report suspected human trafficking. This training has been completed more than 2.6 million times since its launch in 2020.
“The hotel industry is unwavering in its commitment to helping prevent human trafficking,” says AHLA President and CEO Rosanna Maietta. “These efforts require coordinated partnerships among law enforcement, elected leaders, community organizations, and the business community. Our industry continues to lead with action, vigilance, and a deep dedication to protecting our community.”
The hotel industry’s work goes beyond prevention; it helps make communities and survivors safer by working with local organizations to equip survivors with the support they need to thrive. Hotels across Illinois also partner with community-based and survivor-serving organizations to help equip survivors with the support they need to recover and thrive. These partnerships support access to emergency housing, workforce training programs, job placements within the hospitality industry, and mental health services to help survivors rebuild their lives while strengthening communities.
The Illinois hotel industry has emerged as a national 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.
To report suspected human trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888, text “HELP” or “INFO” to 233733 (BeFree), or report a tip to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Tip Line at 866-347-2423.
