Willowbrook is a village of approximately 9,100 residents, located in DuPage County in northeast Illinois. Prostitution activity has been well-documented within the city for decades, and throughout DuPage County, and the problems and ancillary crimes it generates results in complaints to law enforcement agencies from residents and businesses. For example, in May, 2016, four women were arrested for prostitution at a spa on South 648 Route 83 in Willowbrook.  In March, 2017, three women were arrested on similar charges after the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint and then conducted an undercover investigation.  One was arrested for prostitution and unlicensed massage therapy, and two other were arrested for unlicensed massage therapy.

Consumer level demand provides the revenue stream for all prostitution and sex trafficking, and has therefore been targeted by local law enforcement agencies as a strategy for prevention and response. For example, in September 2010, the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office received information suggesting a Willowbrook home was being used for prostitution. Officers, supported by members of the Willowbrook and Woodridge Police Departments, contacted the prostituted woman and scheduled an “appointment.” After arresting the woman in her home, police learned that she had appointments scheduled with three other men for later in the day. Officers then conducted a reverse sting operation, resulting in the arrest of the three male sex buyers. Each of the offender’s had his name, address, and age released to the local media.