FBI agents and police have arrested 44 Chicago-area adults as part of a nationwide crackdown on child prostitution.
Five adults were charged with running prostitution rings, 34 with prostitution and five as patrons in the weekend sweep in Cook, DuPage, Lake and Will counties. All of the Illinois arrests were in the Chicago area.
Authorities will "continue to aggressively pursue both locally and nationwide those who exploit our nation's youth for profit or personal gratification," said Roberg Grant, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago FBI office.
Nationwide, the roundup dubbed Operation Cross Country resulted in 571 arrests in 29 cities. Forty-eight child prostitutes were taken into protective custody. No children were identified in the Chicago area.
The FBI said those with information about child prostitution should call the bureau's Chicago office at (312) 541-6700.
