The 16th Annual Cook County Human Trafficking Conference:
September 22-23, 2026 at the Chicago-Kent College of Law in Chicago, IL
The Cook County Human Trafficking Task Force (CCHTTF) is a multi-disciplinary task force that brings advocates, law enforcement, healthcare professionals, social service, and legal service agencies together to address human trafficking. The Task Force is a joint project of the Salvation Army STOP-IT program and the Cook County State's Attorney's Office.
Each year, the Task Force hosts a human trafficking conference to inform, educate and strengthen anti-trafficking efforts in Cook County and the Northern District of IL. The conference generally features two full days of presentations on innovative work from local and national experts on human trafficking. This year, the conference will include a virtual introductory session, prior to the conference, for newly engaged stakeholders who seek to build their skills and incorporate strategies for trauma-informed support for survivors of human trafficking.
Each year, the Task Force hosts a human trafficking conference to inform, educate and strengthen anti-trafficking efforts in Cook County and the Northern District of IL. The conference generally features two full days of presentations on innovative work from local and national experts on human trafficking. This year, the conference will include a virtual introductory session, prior to the conference, for newly engaged stakeholders who seek to build their skills and incorporate strategies for trauma-informed support for survivors of human trafficking.
View 2026 Agenda:
Agenda coming soon, check back for updates.
2026 Theme:
Evolving Approaches in the Fight Against Human Trafficking
Registration
Opens May 1st, 2026. Check back for the registration link.
Venue
IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law
565 W Adams St. Chicago, Il 60616
565 W Adams St. Chicago, Il 60616
Date
September 22-23, 2026
An HT101 webinar will be hosted prior to the event, for newly engaged stakeholders seeking to build their skills and incorporate strategies for trauma-informed support for survivors of human trafficking. See below for details:
Human Trafficking Foundational Webinar
Wednesday September 16th, 2026
1:00-4:15PM
The Cook County Human Trafficking Task Force offers a foundational understanding of human trafficking to those who are looking to better understand the issue, become aware of the regional context, consider local responses, and brainstorm methods of professional and community engagement in addressing human trafficking.
Agenda:
Agenda coming soon; check back for updates
Conference attendees must register separately via Zoom to access the webinar. Non-conference attendees are welcome to join. The HT101 is a free training for newly engaged stakeholders.
Registration not yet open; check back for updates
1:00-4:15PM
The Cook County Human Trafficking Task Force offers a foundational understanding of human trafficking to those who are looking to better understand the issue, become aware of the regional context, consider local responses, and brainstorm methods of professional and community engagement in addressing human trafficking.
Agenda:
Agenda coming soon; check back for updates
Conference attendees must register separately via Zoom to access the webinar. Non-conference attendees are welcome to join. The HT101 is a free training for newly engaged stakeholders.
Registration not yet open; check back for updates
Hotel Accommodations
The Warwick Allerton- Chicago
The Cook County Human Trafficking Planning Committee has secured a room block at a nearby downtown Chicago hotel, the Warwick Allerton, for $185 per night. This rate is good until August 20th or until the room block is sold out.
Link to book at room rate, will be available soon.
The Cook County Human Trafficking Planning Committee has secured a room block at a nearby downtown Chicago hotel, the Warwick Allerton, for $185 per night. This rate is good until August 20th or until the room block is sold out.
Link to book at room rate, will be available soon.
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Plan Your Journey
The conference venue is conveniently located within a 10 minute walk from two major transportation hubs.
Union Station: 2 min walk
Ogilvie Transportation Center: 6 min walk
Given downtown congestion, we highly recommend attendees utilize the Metra if coming from the suburbs. Plan your trip with the RTA/Metra trip planner or try the public transit option on Google Maps.
Parking: The venue does not offer attendee parking. We highly recommend using the apps Spot Hero or Park Whiz to secure a spot.
ABM Underground Garage (550 W Jackson) $30/day
Peoples Auto Parking Co Inc (566 W Van Buren St) $30/day
Park1 Chicago (603 W Monroe St) $30/day
Union Station: 2 min walk
Ogilvie Transportation Center: 6 min walk
Given downtown congestion, we highly recommend attendees utilize the Metra if coming from the suburbs. Plan your trip with the RTA/Metra trip planner or try the public transit option on Google Maps.
Parking: The venue does not offer attendee parking. We highly recommend using the apps Spot Hero or Park Whiz to secure a spot.
ABM Underground Garage (550 W Jackson) $30/day
Peoples Auto Parking Co Inc (566 W Van Buren St) $30/day
Park1 Chicago (603 W Monroe St) $30/day
Certificates of Attendance
Attendees will have the opportunity to request a non-accredited certificate of attendance upon completion of post-conference surveys
Continuing Education
Our program is pending approval for Social Work, PAIP, and IDVP continuing education credits for each session (9.5 credits). We have a pending application for legal continuing education credits with the Illinois MCLE board. If approved, we would offer CLE's for sessions that target legal providers (~5). Final number of credits will be determined upon finalization of the agenda.
Equity Fund
This scholarship fund is available for survivors of human trafficking. As funds are limited, we encourage folks to apply as soon as they can. Scholarships are available in three tiers: 100% waived registration, 50% waived, and 25% waived, depending on financial need. Survivors will receive an update on their status within seven business days.
The application will be released when registration opens
Speaker Application
The 2026 conference, Evolving Approaches in the Fight Against Human Trafficking, will focus on how professionals are adapting strategies, building partnerships, and applying practical skills to address the changing landscape of human trafficking. This year’s theme emphasizes innovative, survivor-informed approaches to meet the needs of underserved and disproportionately impacted populations. The conference will bring together service providers, investigators, prosecutors, advocates, and those with lived experience to promote cross-sector collaboration and lasting solutions.
Application open until April 20th, 2026!
Application open until April 20th, 2026!
Volunteer Application
For individuals who do not qualify for the Equity Fund or who are interested in volunteering at the conference, can fill out the volunteer application. Decisions will be made on a rolling basis beginning June 1, 2025. If approved to volunteer, individuals receive a 25-100% discount on registration fees, depending on level of involvement and need.
Volunteers for the CCHT Conference must meet at least one of the following eligibility criteria:
Enrolled as either a full-time or part-time student at a post-secondary institution, as either a graduate or undergraduate studying social work or other applicable social service fields.
Currently working as an intern, apprentice or fellow (paid or volunteer) for a fixed term, with a Cook County Human Trafficking Task Force partner organization.
Not currently employed in the anti-trafficking sector but actively involved or seeking employment in this sector.
Employed either part-time or full-time in the anti-trafficking sector at an organization that lacks funding to cover conference registration fees.
The application will be released when registration opens
Volunteers for the CCHT Conference must meet at least one of the following eligibility criteria:
Enrolled as either a full-time or part-time student at a post-secondary institution, as either a graduate or undergraduate studying social work or other applicable social service fields.
Currently working as an intern, apprentice or fellow (paid or volunteer) for a fixed term, with a Cook County Human Trafficking Task Force partner organization.
Not currently employed in the anti-trafficking sector but actively involved or seeking employment in this sector.
Employed either part-time or full-time in the anti-trafficking sector at an organization that lacks funding to cover conference registration fees.
The application will be released when registration opens
