* They may have voted against agriculture fee increases that were supported by agriculture interests, and they may oppose closing a tax loophole for commercial roll your own cigarette devices, but the Senate Republicans finally found a fee hike they could support this week…

A stripped down version of a new tax on Illinois strip clubs advanced in the General Assembly on Thursday.

On a 53-0 vote, the Senate forwarded a proposal to the House that would raise an estimated $1 million to help finance rape crisis centers throughout the state.

The measure initially called for the clubs to charge $5 per patron with a goal of raising an estimated $6 million. […]

“After all of the uncomfortable jokes and snickers, we must pass this important law,” said state Sen. Kirk Dillard, R-Hinsdale.

“It is a serious issue,” added Republican state Sen. Tim Bivins, a former county sheriff from Dixon.

As I told you back in March, some Senate Republicans had balked at the fee before the March primary. That’s over, and the bill has been revised since then, so on board they climbed.

* Details…

Club operators can choose two different ways to be taxed. They can either pay a $3 surcharge for each customer they serve, or they can pay a certain amount to the state depending on their gross receipts for the calendar year.

Under the second approach, if a venue made less than $500,000, it would pay a $5,000 fee. Venues making between $500,000 and $2 million would pay $15,000. Venues making more than $2 million would pay $25,000.

* Roundup…

* Eavesdropping reform bill stalls in Senate: Advocates for allowing recordings are angered by Noland’s stance. Joshua Sharp, the director of government relations for the Illinois Press Association, said Noland is welcome to vote against Nekritz’s measure, but should remove his name as a sponsor. Sharp called Noland a “hostile” sponsor who seems to want unlimited police surveillance of citizens.

* Business incentives transparency bill goes to Quinn: The program, known as Economic Development for a Growing Economy, or EDGE, offers tax breaks to companies that create or retain jobs and make investments in the state. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, which administers the program, annually releases the names of companies receiving the credits, but details of the agreements, such as the dollar value of the incentives, are often kept secret. If the bill is signed by Gov. Pat Quinn, the department would post on its website the terms of each agreement after it is reached.

* House votes to cut some Illinois regional superintendents: Senate Bill 2706, unanimously approved by the Illinois House Friday, would cut the number of superintendents from 44 to 35 and fund the positions out of the state’s general revenue fund.

* Illinois Drafts Major Changes to Online Gaming Plan: Plans for Illinois to oversee a state-run online gaming industry underwent major revisions Friday, as a third amendment to House Bill 4148 puts the business of running games in the hands of affiliates.