More than three dozen men were arrested across the Chicago area and 43 people who were being prostituted were "rescued" during a two-week "National Day of Johns Arrests" campaign that culminated on Super Bowl Sunday.

Nationwide, more than 20 law enforcement agencies participated in the sting that was coordinated by the Cook County Sheriff office, a release from the office said. Locally, the Elgin and Aurora police, and Kane County Sheriff's Dept. also took part.

Across the country, 213 men -- including 13 pimps/panderers were arrested for soliciting sex, the release said. A total of 308 charges were filed nationwide during the effort.

In the Chicago area, between Jan. 21 and Sunday, Feb. 3, sheriff's police arrested 41 johns in stings conducted on the streets, in hotels, brothels and via the Internet, according to the sheriff's office.

The goal was to reduce demand for commercial sexual exploitation and the sweeps are part of an ongoing effort to highlight the role of sex buyers as perpetrators.

The 43 victims who were being prostituted/trafficked were offered rescue services by the Cook County Sheriff's Human Trafficking Response Team, comprised of former prostitutes who work with sheriff's officers who are trained to identify victims of prostitution.

The victims are offered services and safe housing opportunities to help them get out of the situations that may have led them into prostitution, the release said.
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