As people continue to move away from Illinois the dwindling tax base can’t keep up with the state’s debt. What’s a state with giant unfunded liabilities to do?

In recent years the state of Illinois has leaned toward legalizing things that previously were illegal to get at people’s discretionary social vice spending. The thinking being -might as well have a percentage of something instead of none of it-. Gaming machines, recreational marijuana, (many would argue abortion) sports gambling, and now potentially the legalization of sex work between consenting adults.

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The proposal is to be formally introduced this week in Springfield.

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Getty Images/Il. Gov. J.B. Pritzker
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Proponents like Rep. Will Guzzardi and Sen. Ron Peters argue the current sex worker situation is too dangerous for those involved, and point out that it wouldn’t remove penalties for sex trafficking or abuse of workers. Details about the proposal are few though at this point. But, scrubbing previous arrests and convictions would be part of it. The legislation would also include a Sex Workers “Bill of Rights”.

If this proposal moves forward don’t be surprised if a “non-binding” resolution is included on an upcoming ballot just to take the voters temperature in the same way Cook County residents voted over two thirds in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana on a non-binding resolution in 2018. By 2020 the whole state voted in similar numbers to legalize it.

Google Maps Street view/ I-94
Google Maps Street view/ I-94
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The state of Illinois venturing out into this area would make it the first full state to embrace legalizing sex work. Parts of Nevada already do (but not the whole state) and Maine has decriminalized the sale of sex but not prostitution…(???...not sure how that works).

Upon passage the state would certainly expect an influx of tourism to sample the legalization much the same way Colorado experienced tourism after being the first state to legalize recreational marijuana. A surge of tax money would flow.

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