Senate panel approves new tax on strip clubs

SPRINGFIELD — 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. Money from the tax would go to sexual assault prevention programs.

The Public Health Committee approved it 8-0 Tuesday. But several lawmakers said they would need more information before they'd be willing to 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 all alcohol sales at strip clubs.

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