A recent Associated Press article revealed that Illinois lawmakers are proposing a $5 strip club tax. The tax would apply to clubs that have both nude dancers and serve, or allow patrons to bring, alcohol. Clubs can avoid the fine by ceasing to serve alcohol or having live, nude dancers and strip clubs without alcohol or nude dancers are not affected. The tax is to be collected for a sexual assault prevention fund that will help victims go through counseling and will aid Illinois’ 33 rape crisis centers. Proponents of the bill say research links strip clubs, women’s objectification and alcohol consumption to violence against women; however, not everyone is convinced. Here’s what our columnists think.

Aaron Brooks

Columnist

Asinine, complete stupidity; instead of focusing on the real problems and solutions to Illinois’ debt crisis, State Senator, Toi Hutchinson, wants to tax my entrance to strip clubs $5. Considering your average cover charge of $10 to $20, this tax would be 25 to 50 percent of the cost of admission.

Hutchinson has a clear misunderstanding about how strip clubs operate. The business makes it moneys on two, maybe three nights of the week. On the remaining days of operation, the club is lucky to make operating costs.

To meet operating costs on slow nights, dancers have to contribute most of their tips to the club, leaving them with a small payout for a job that requires skill, physical exertion and no benefits. With such a tax, you are taxing not the club owner, not the patron, but the dancer.

A number of my friends have been or are employed at strip clubs. Some see it as a job that works around their school schedule; others enjoy the work. If you tax them because of some “hazard” their occupation contributes to society, I want to see the same tax imposed on blackjack dealers, fast food workers and politicians.

Colin Remes

Columnist

Taxing strip clubs more if those taxes go to a service as important as support, council and protection of victims of sexual assault, relationship abuse and rape is a good thing. I don’t really care where these services get their money, as long as they can stay in operation because they are necessary.

However, the conclusion that the existence of strip clubs actually directly causes increased incidences of sexual assault and rape is unfounded. Even studies that find incidences of such crimes are higher in areas with strip clubs does not mean the two are related. Some strip clubs serve alcohol and sexual assault can and does happen at bars, on college campuses and house parties.

Any place alcohol is consumed to excess, these horrific crimes can occur because alcohol causes people to make bad decisions. Alcohol isn’t necessarily to blame either, because sexual assault can occur without any drugs involved. I have been to a strip club, dozens of parties and bars and I do drink. Like most decent human beings, however, I have never assaulted anyone, sexually or otherwise.

Linze Griebenow

Assistant Day Editor

As this bill is written, I don’t support it. Surprise.

Although I believe the literature of the bill theoretically makes sense, honing in on strip clubs as primary places contributing to women’s objectification and sexual assault is too broad. If evidence for the bill claims because strip clubs help a culture that doesn’t respect women to thrive, then establishments such as Hooters would be subject to the tax too. Picking and choosing which environments are hostile enough to tax becomes a slippery slope when padded with personal experience and passion over empirical evidence.

While research affirms that a linkage between alcohol consumption and sexual assault exists, I believe the public will not find the correlation between alcohol consumption and nude dancing as suggested in the bill ample, nor should they. The evidence is there, the data just needs to be collected in a more comprehensive and exhaustive manner to ensure the bill is fully backed by tangible data and not good-meaning advocacy efforts.

The bill cites a study which shows neighborhoods with strip clubs report higher rates of crime, however, does not do enough work untangling the complicated web of sex crimes, socioeconomic status and alcohol or drug consumption. If that were done, I would support the bill completely.

Leah Spagnoli

Managing Editor

I completely agree with the bill and what it stands for.

Unfortunately, there are people out there that take the liberty of seeing nude ladies dancing on poles for granted by treating them as objects. I understand fully that both women and men make a living through stripping; however I don’t agree with using your body to bring home the bacon. It’s demeaning.

I work in the bar and restaurant industry and see women who believe the only way to get tips is to wear a low cut top. If Illinois is going to put a tax on strip clubs they might as well put one on bars when women are showing their goods to make a quick buck. I’m sure just as many assault instances happen at bars as they do strip clubs.

Yes, I agree with the bill, but I also think it could be extended. So many women are assaulted, taken advantage or raped each year and need counseling to move on with their lives. If this is the way to raise money for it, then count me in. You won’t see me near a strip club anyway. Tax away.