Illinois Senate panel approves new tax on strip clubs

[March 09, 2012]  SPRINGFIELD (AP) -- A plan to tax Illinois strip clubs has won a tentative OK from a state Senate committee.

The legislation would impose an admission tax of $5 per person at strip clubs that serve alcohol or let customers bring their own. The tax money would go to sexual assault prevention programs.

The Public Health Committee approved it 8-0 Tuesday. But several lawmakers said they need more information before they could support it on the Senate floor.

Sen. Toi Hutchinson says her proposal would address some of the violence toward women that she attributes to alcohol and nude dancing.

The Democrat from Olympia Fields says Texas has a similar tax and Missouri bans alcohol sales at strip clubs.

Illinois club owners say the tax would put many of them out of business.

[Associated Press]

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