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* Sen. Toi Hutchinson’s proposal to tax admission fees to strip clubs will get even more visibility today when Hutchinson and Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon hold a joint press conference in Chicago. The embedded video below will begin around 1:45 pm, brought to us by our good friends at BlueRoomStream.com…
…Adding… If you have any problems with the embedded live video, click here.
…Adding More… Raw audio of the newser…
…Adding Still More... Video of the presser, courtesy of BlueRoomStream.com…
* Here’s some background while you wait…
Alfred Ronan, who lobbies on behalf of the Illinois Club Owners Association, said the group opposes the legislation.
“What do the clubs have to do with abused women?” Ronan said. “I don’t want to make light of it, but we just don’t get the connection.”
Illinois is not the first state to look at exotic dance outlets as a source of revenue.
A law similar to the Illinois legislation was upheld by the Texas Supreme Court last year. Officials there say the new tax could bring in as much as $44 million.
A number of cities also have discussed imposing a pole tax, including Minneapolis and Phoenix.
It also isn’t the first time Illinois has considered taxing adult-related products. In 1997, former House Speaker Lee Daniels, R-Elmhurst, floated the prospect of a special tax on pornographic magazines to raise money for schools. The measure went nowhere.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Feb 17, 12 @ 12:54 pm
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Who would have guessed that Ronan would be the lobbyist for the clubs?
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Feb 17, 12 @ 1:22 pm
I predict the measure will be poleaxed.
Comment by Tommydanger Friday, Feb 17, 12 @ 1:23 pm
If only the press conference was in a room called the Champaign Room. And no kidding about Al Ronan.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Feb 17, 12 @ 1:29 pm
I wonder what Jack Ryan’s opinion is on this…
Comment by Small Town Liberal Friday, Feb 17, 12 @ 1:46 pm
Have either of these two fine elected officials ever been in a strip club?
Have either of them talked to the women that work as exotic dancers?
If not, I think that they should have to do some homework and talk to the women that they will be impacting the most.
Comment by Jade_rabbit Friday, Feb 17, 12 @ 2:23 pm
This bill is beyond ridiculous.
Comment by redrum Friday, Feb 17, 12 @ 2:44 pm
Have either of these two fine elected officials ever been in a strip club?
I think I just wrote a 5 minute comedy bit in my head about that very concept, I will give you just one lines…
Lt. Gov Simon: I am surprised they don’t have more banjo music.
Comment by OneMan Friday, Feb 17, 12 @ 2:49 pm
This is wrong. It’s expensive enough for the fine citizens of Illinois to patronize strip clubs. There should be a church tax instead.
Comment by Just Observing Friday, Feb 17, 12 @ 2:59 pm
It just gets better and better. Or worser and worser. Whichever you prefer.
Comment by John A Logan Friday, Feb 17, 12 @ 3:07 pm
I believe one of your wittiest commenters first referenced the Porn Tax yesterda before the Pantagraph did.
Good luck to Al Ronan on this one.
Comment by siriusly Friday, Feb 17, 12 @ 3:13 pm
“A five dollar pole tax? What are you crazy man. Don’t you know who I am ? I’m Kenny Frickin Powers!”
Comment by East Bound Friday, Feb 17, 12 @ 3:16 pm
Siriusly,
Just to set the record straight, if you click on the Pantagraph story you’ll see it was posted Tuesday, two days before all of the Tribune craziness.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, Feb 17, 12 @ 3:40 pm
Thanks for the correction Michelle. However, my reference was independent of that story - even if they had it first.
I just watched the entire video of the Hutchinson / Simon press conference. I’ve always known that Sen. Hutchinson was very smart, but she really impressed me there. She did a great job of taking the on the “snarky” attitude of the press and making the issue real.
I predict she’ll pass this bill - she really was masterful there.
Comment by Siriusly Friday, Feb 17, 12 @ 3:55 pm
@Jade_Rabbit
Several exotic dancers have already come forth in favor and spoken with her. One even said she wish they would raise it to $10. Many themselves deal with customers over-stepping the boundaries allowed in the clubs and are assaulted daily.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Feb 17, 12 @ 4:25 pm
@redrum
I am sure it is ridiculous to those who frequent the clubs. But not to others who realize the benefits, including dancers themselves who have come forth in favor.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Feb 17, 12 @ 4:26 pm