Office of the
Illinois Attorney General
Kwame Raoul

Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged an Effingham, Illinois man with possessing child sexual abuse material. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online.

The Attorney General’s office charged Travis J. Gillespie, 54, in Effingham County Circuit Court with two Class 1 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, each punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Sentences are ultimately determined by the court.  Gillespie is detained at the Effingham County Jail, and his next court date is Sept. 17.

“Offenders who repeatedly prey on children must be stopped,” Raoul said. “My office’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force will continue to partner with state and local law enforcement agencies to find individuals who exploit minors and hold them accountable.”

Raoul’s investigators, along with officers from the Effingham Police Department and the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System (ILEAS), conducted a search on Thursday of Gillespie’s residence in the 1400 block of Fayette Ave. in Effingham. Gillespie was arrested after evidence of child sexual abuse material was found.

“Crimes involving the exploitation of children are among the most serious offenses law enforcement is called upon to investigate. The Effingham Police Department is grateful for the diligent work and expertise of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office and for the opportunity to assist with this investigation,” said Effingham Police Chief Kurt Davis. “Cases like this demonstrate the importance of strong partnerships and information sharing among law enforcement agencies. We remain committed to working alongside our state, federal, and local partners to protect children and keep our community safe.”

Raoul’s office is prosecuting the case with Effingham County State’s Attorney Aaron Jones’s office.

The public is reminded that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Raoul’s office, with a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, runs the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force that investigates child exploitation crimes and trains law enforcement agencies. The task force receives CyberTips, or online reports of child sexual abuse material, from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Over the last several years, CyberTipline reports have steadily increased. In 2025, reports to the ICAC Task Force increased by 45% over 2024.

Illinois’ ICAC Task Force is one of 61 ICAC Task Forces throughout the country and is comprised of a network of more than 200 local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Since 2019, the Attorney General’s ICAC Task Force has received more than 82,900 CyberTips and has been involved in more than 1,250 arrests of sexual predators. Since 2006, the Attorney General’s ICAC Task Force has been involved in more than 2,600 arrests of sexual predators. In 2025, the task force was involved in rescuing more than 30 child victims from ongoing abuse. The task force also has provided internet safety training and education to more than a million parents, teachers and students, in addition to more than 25,000 law enforcement professionals.

Attorney General Raoul is reminding the public that child sexual exploitation can be reported online at cybertipline.com and child abuse at  dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov. In addition, local child advocacy centers can be found at childrensadvocacycentersofillinois.org.

Assistant Attorney General Samantha Cain is prosecuting the case for Raoul’s office.