Bill > HB3626

This bill repeals the criminal offense of prostitution and makes several related changes to Illinois law. Here's a summary: This bill decriminalizes prostitution by repealing the existing criminal statute and introducing new definitions for key terms like "prostitute," "prostituted person," and "prostitution" in the Statute on Statutes. The bill establishes a fine schedule based on a person's net income for offenses related to solicitation, promoting prostitution, patronizing a prostitute, and similar activities. The legislation allows individuals to seek to vacate and expunge Class A misdemeanor prostitution violations and removes prostitution convictions as a disqualifying factor for certain occupational licenses and employment opportunities. It eliminates enhanced penalties for previous prostitution convictions. The bill makes conforming changes to multiple sections of Illinois law, removing references to the now-repealed prostitution statute and updating language related to sexual offenses. For example, it modifies definitions in criminal statutes, removes prostitution-related sections from various professional licensing laws, and adjusts sentencing guidelines. Key provisions include creating a graduated fine system based on an individual's net annual income for offenses like solicitation and patronizing a prostitute, ranging from $100 for those earning less than $30,000 to $5,000 for those earning over $200,000. The bill aims to shift the legal approach from criminalizing sex workers to focusing on those who exploit or solicit sexual services. The legislation represents a significant reform of how Illinois law treats prostitution, moving away from criminal prosecution of sex workers and toward a more nuanced approach that provides opportunities for record expungement and reduces legal penalties for those involved in sex work.

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=3626&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104