It’s just a bill
Tuesday, Jan 14, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* WTTW…
“For 20 years, I worked as a sex worker here in the city of Chicago,” Reyna Ortiz said at a news conference Monday, surrounded by allies from organizations like Equality Illinois, Brave Space Alliance and the Chicago Abortion Fund. “And for over 20 years, I lived under the fear and threat of violence.”
Ortiz, who chairs the Sex Worker Advisory Group — a coalition of current and former sex workers — is among those advocating for Illinois to become the first state in the U.S. to fully legalize the exchange of money for sex among consenting adults.
Illinois in 2013 reduced the crime of prostitution to a misdemeanor, and Equality Illinois CEO Brian Johnson said that has contributed to a 97% reduction in arrests and prosecutions of sex-related offenses, so fully decriminalizing sex work would be codifying standard police practices. […]
Some Illinois lawmakers have for years talked about removing criminal penalties for sex work, but Johnson said he’s “absolutely hopeful” this attempt will be successful, with state Sen. Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) and state Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago) serving as sponsors.
* Sun-Times…
The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Will Guzzardi, D-Chicago, and state Sen. Celina Villanueva, D-Chicago, would remove criminal penalties for adults engaging in consensual sex work, remove arrest and conviction records for sex workers and establish a sex workers’ bill of rights.
Advocates for sex workers said they believe these policy changes would offer sex workers the ability to better vet clients and meet with them in safer places. The proposed policy changes would also allow sex workers to report crimes against them without fear of consequences in their own lives.
“The threat of arrest and prosecution keeps sex workers unsafe and in the shadows, and this threat must be eliminated,” said Brian Johnson, CEO of Equality Illinois. “This law is essential now more than ever.”
Between 45% and 75% of all sex workers worldwide will experience violence at some point in their careers, according to a study published in the American Journal of Public Health. About two-thirds of trans people killed in Illinois in the last decade were sex workers, according to state data analyzed by Equality Illinois.
* HB1284 from Rep. Kimberly Du Buclet…
Amends the Public Utilities Act and the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Prohibits alternative retail electric and gas suppliers from paying incentive-based compensation to people engaged in in-person solicitation or telemarketing. Provides that certain tariffs may be filed by an electric utility with respect to electric utilities providing supply service through an electric aggregation program. Provides that an alternative retail electric utility supplier or alternative gas supplier shall not automatically renew a consumer’s enrollment after the current term of the contract expires when the renewed contract provides that the consumer will be charged a rate higher than the current contract rate unless: (i) the alternative retail electric supplier or alternative gas supplier complies with specified notice and disclosure requirements; and (ii) the customer expressly consents to the contract renewal in writing or by electronic signature at least 30 days, but no more than 60 days, before the contract expires.
* Casino Reports…
One of the 37 states where it’s illegal to engage in Super Bowl boxes is Illinois, but if one lawmaker has his way, the fine people of the Prairie State will be able to safely invest their money in Super Bowl squares without fear of Johnny Law breaking down their front door and tearing their 18×24 piece of oak tag paper to smithereens.
Only hitch: It’s about the dumbest law anyone could come up with to govern Super Bowl squares. It’s turning the single most innocent form of gambling — and something that the AGA figures about 36.5 million Americans did last year — into a government money-making scheme.
The bill is called the Social Gaming Act, and was introduced by Rep. John M. Cabello. It would allow Super Bowl squares, but only at existing establishments that are already licensed for video gaming. It would charge board manufacturers a $5,000 licensing fee, distributors a $1,000 licensing fee, and gaming locations a $50 yearly fee. It would also cap the max payout at $1,199.
Obviously, this is made to be a cash grab for the state, which is fine, that’s what states do, but trying to corral Super Bowl squares into an income stream just seems … well, again, dumb.
* Rep. Curtis Tarver filed HB1303 yesterday…
Creates the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. Provides that no person shall sell, offer for sale, provide, or distribute kratom leaf or a kratom product to a person under 21 years of age, with requirements for online age verification. Provides that no person shall sell, offer for sale, provide, or distribute a kratom product that contains certain chemical compositions. Provides that an individual, business, or other entity shall not produce, sell, or distribute a kratom product that is attractive to children. Provides that no person shall sell, offer for sale, provide, or distribute a kratom product that is adulterated with a dangerous non-kratom substance. Provides that no person shall offer for sale any kratom product that contains synthesized or semi-synthesized kratom alkaloids or kratom constituents. Requires federal compliance for kratom products and processors. Imposes a tax of 5% on the retail sale of kratom products. Requires quarterly returns for the tax. Provides that a person who knowingly files a false or incomplete return is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Provides for rulemaking and other powers for the Department of Revenue. Incorporates certain provisions of the Retailers’ Occupation Tax Act and the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act. Provides that any person who sells a kratom product in violation of this Act shall be subject to a civil penalty up to $5,000 for the first violation, and up to $10,000 for a second violation. Provides that, for a third violation and each subsequent violation, the person shall be fined a minimum of $10,000, up to a maximum of $20,000, and shall be prohibited from selling kratom products in this State for 3 years. Defines terms. Limits home rule powers. Repeals the Kratom Control Act.
- hisgirlfriday - Tuesday, Jan 14, 25 @ 9:10 am:
Just read a WBEZ article on this legislation where I learned that Will Guzzardi thinks I, a perennial Democratic primary voter who spent hundreds trying to elect Democrats during the 2024 cycle, have a “downright nasty point of view.”
https://www.wbez.org/politics/2025/01/13/proposed-bill-illinois-decriminalize-sex-work
Sorry Will but I think engaging in sex work is something we as a society should discourage. I believe monetizing physical acts of human connection is harmful to society and incompatible with my notions of human dignity and the sanctity of love.
In addition, while it’s terrible that some people who choose to do sex work get exploited, abused, or otherwise mistreated, I remain unconvinced that lowering the barriers to entry into the sex work world will reduce the misfortune experienced by people who choose to engage in it.
I hope Guzzardi’s legislation finds very few co-sponsors in Springfield.
- Perrid - Tuesday, Jan 14, 25 @ 9:23 am:
Regarding the Super Bowl Squares, is it dumb because only private businesses are supposed to turn the Super Bowl into a cash grab? It’s gambling, the whole purpose is to grab as much cash as possible.
- TheInvisibleMan - Tuesday, Jan 14, 25 @ 9:30 am:
“safely invest their money in Super Bowl squares”
I know it’s a casino trade publication saying this, but almost nothing is funnier to me than when people try to call gambling, investing.
- What? - Tuesday, Jan 14, 25 @ 9:30 am:
Legalizing sex work, wasting political capital arguing over Hemp stores . . . . .when do the chaperones show up to guide the Dems to issues that even register for John Q. Public?
Between the left being unable to identify issues important to our citizenry and the right being hijacked by fringe element nut jobs, the center left and right voices of yesteryear are desperately missed.
- Donnie Elgin - Tuesday, Jan 14, 25 @ 9:33 am:
It is so silly to see The Super Bowl Square legislation - it happens once a year and virtually everyone buys them - there is zero social harm in the process - sure lots of home leagues and Bars run them - but many non-profits and kids’ sports league groups also use them as a fundraiser. of course, IL’s solution is a red tape nightmare with a cash grab for the video gaming rackets.
- Homebody - Tuesday, Jan 14, 25 @ 9:35 am:
The discussion around both sex work and gambling is interesting to me because there are parallels. Both are things that happen regularly, are currently misdemeanors, and when done at an individual scale with no other bad behavior are largely ignored by law enforcement.
I think you could make an argument that large scale legalized gambling has worse impacts on children and society at large than fully legalized prostitution would.
- One Term Mayor - Tuesday, Jan 14, 25 @ 9:40 am:
Sex work internships for kids. What could go wrong?
- Amalia - Tuesday, Jan 14, 25 @ 9:44 am:
johns rarely get caught or prosecuted now. it’s the pros. legalizing sex work eliminates the imbalance even if I’m unsure it’s the right thing to do.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Tuesday, Jan 14, 25 @ 9:55 am:
Would the police really investigate people abusing sex workers even if sex work was legal?
- Excitable Boy - Tuesday, Jan 14, 25 @ 10:30 am:
- is it dumb because only private businesses are supposed to turn the Super Bowl into a cash grab? -
It’s dumb because most people do squares at their private parties and this law isn’t going to change that.
- RNUG - Tuesday, Jan 14, 25 @ 10:54 am:
Apparently both sides want to legislate morality … but it looks like one side wants to make it a profit center for the State.
- Proud Papa Bear - Tuesday, Jan 14, 25 @ 10:55 am:
One generation’s heresy is the next generation’s orthodoxy.
Maybe someday we’ll stop policing women’s bodies.
- DS - Tuesday, Jan 14, 25 @ 11:15 am:
Once we’re done regulating interpersonal gambling Rep. Cabello need to get some tax money out of the loose cigarette trade on the L.
- Da big bad wolf - Tuesday, Jan 14, 25 @ 11:15 am:
Thanks for reminding me. I forgot to take my Kratom today.
- low level - Tuesday, Jan 14, 25 @ 11:26 am:
==Sorry Will but I think engaging in sex work is something we as a society should discourage.==
We’ve been discouraging it for years and despite our best efforts, it is still taking place. Kudos to Guzzardi and Villanueva. This is long overdue.
Cabello’s bill is a no brainer as well and should pass unanimously.
- Excitable Boy - Tuesday, Jan 14, 25 @ 11:31 am:
- Apparently both sides want to legislate morality … but it looks like one side wants to make it a profit center for the State. -
Criminalization also generates revenue. And to me, one side is consistently removing legislation of morality and letting people work that out on their own.
- @misterjayem - Tuesday, Jan 14, 25 @ 11:48 am:
“I remain unconvinced that lowering the barriers to entry into the sex work world will reduce the misfortune experienced by people who choose to engage in it.”
Meanwhile, “the people who choose to engage in it” are convinced.
– MrJM
- In_The_Middle - Tuesday, Jan 14, 25 @ 12:04 pm:
Please, let’s not legalize prostitution. The next step would be adding a Use Tax.
- Skokie Man - Tuesday, Jan 14, 25 @ 12:33 pm:
@hisgirlfriday - Do you think it was a bad policy decision back in 2013 to reduce prostitution from a felony to a misdemeanor? There are countless policy decisions we can make to discourage sex work without criminalizing it.
- Matty - Tuesday, Jan 14, 25 @ 12:52 pm:
I do not watch sports and have never once gambled, so I had to look up what Super Bowl Squares are. My lord, what a convoluted and complicated way to place wagers on an event.
Is this a common thing to participate in?
- Excitable Boy - Tuesday, Jan 14, 25 @ 1:12 pm:
- Is this a common thing to participate in? -
Yes, and it’s not complicated at all. You pick squares and if the score matches your numbers you win. It’s a very simple way to add a little excitement to the game, especially for those that don’t often watch the sport or gamble.
- hisgirlfriday - Tuesday, Jan 14, 25 @ 1:46 pm:
@SkokieMan - I am OK with them having changed it from a felony to a misdemeanor. A misdemeanor is still a crime.
What countless policy decisions are you proposing to discourage sex work without criminalizing it?
Like putting a sex addict hotline # in fine print on prostitution commercials like they have for problem gamblers on the sports betting commercials?
- Tim - Tuesday, Jan 14, 25 @ 2:18 pm:
The formerly great state of Illinois. Where our main industries are now gambling, selling drugs, abortion tourism, and legalized prostitution. What a long way we’ve come. The parents of our Democratic legislators of the last ten years must be so proud.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 14, 25 @ 2:22 pm:
===Where our main industries are now ===
Oh, stop with the goofy hyperbole already and let go of those over-sized pearls
- low level - Tuesday, Jan 14, 25 @ 2:46 pm:
==What countless policy decisions are you proposing to discourage sex work without criminalizing it?==
How about, I trust women to be able to decide whether they want to engage in this work or not?
- Justin - Tuesday, Jan 14, 25 @ 3:45 pm:
Decriminalizing sex work is a good thing for the state of Illinois. Sex work is work, period.
Legalization and decriminalization are two separate things.
- @misterjayem - Tuesday, Jan 14, 25 @ 9:53 pm:
“IWhat countless policy decisions are you proposing to discourage sex work without criminalizing it?”
Universal basic income.
– MrJM