Lt. Gov. Throws Support Behind Strip Club Tax

Tax would raise money for sex abuse prevention programs

An Illinois lawmaker who wants strips clubs in the state to pay a $5 "skin" tax per customer is getting support from one of the state's top elected officials.

Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, a Democrat from Carbondale, threw her support behind the bill -- SB3348 -- which is sponsored by Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D-Olympia Fields). They appeared together Friday, along with women's advocates, at a news conference at the Thompson Center to promote the legislation.

"It's an important package. It's a wonderful connection to be able to make to put a little bit of the responsibility where it should be," said Simon.

Sen. Hutchinson wants to impose the tax to raise money for sex abuse prevention programs and other rape counseling services.

"Violence against women is never appropriate at any time, at any place, no matter what she does for a living, no matter how much money she makes, no matter how she makes the money," said Hutchinson.

Under the measure, which is still in its early stages, strip clubs that serve alcohol or allow liquor in the establishment would pay a $5 tax per customer.

But strip club owners in the Chicago-area already balked at the idea, saying it could force smaller clubs to close and eliminate jobs.

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