SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois and federal officials have obtained a mobile unit that they say will add speed and efficiency to digital investigations of child pornography and exploitation.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul on Monday unveiled the specialized van for the Internet Crimes Against Children task force. Raoul’s office oversees the group.
The mobile unit is funded by a $174,000 federal grant. Raoul says the aid comes at a time when young people are spending more time online because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tips about alleged exploitation received by the task force increased 118% from 2017 to 2020 and are on pace to jump another 23% this year.