I have read a lot of info on here regarding this bill and everyone telling us to write or call our Senator etc....  Then, on the other side, everyone wondering what we are supposed to say to our Senatorsetc ...

The question is this..... How is this bill going to be financed?  I mean the correctional facilities in Illinois are overcrowded, undermanned and apparently broke.  the court systems are apparently in the same shape!  I mean think about it.  How many hundreds of people are busted at just the street level for prostitution or solicitation of, simply within the City of Chicago, let alone the suburbs and throughout the rest of the State on a Daily basis?  This is not including internet stings like on CL and BP etc.  

Let's just use a small number like say 50 a day.  Chicago alone probably covers that number.  That is about 15000 people a year if you take Sundays off!

Menard, which is probably the largest correctional facility in Illinois is at twice its capacity at 3500 which means we would have to build 4 prisons the size of Menard to accomadate 15000 people, not to mention the costs providing them with due process ie.... public defenders, judges, bailiffs, court reporters, ada's etc... the list goes on and on.

Didn't I just read somewhere that they are cutting the State Police force dramatically because the State of Illinois is "BROKE".

So, if you want to know what to say to your Senator.... try asking him where he is going to find the funds and manpower to enforce a law like this.  In fact, try typing a letter quoting the many shootings that have taken place in Chicago already this spring and some of the other more important things that we need to concentrate our funds and manpower on fixing and then simply ask them if they really think it is prudent of them to ask the taxpayers of this State, to finance this bill?  Then, get every person you know to print, sign and include voter registration info asking them to veto this nonsense before they put our State into more of a financial tailspin than it already is in.

Perhaps one of the people on here that has a degree in communications and a lawyer can get together and put a letter together along these lines and we can all print them up, get tens of thousands of signatures and mail them out to our Senators and to the Governor.  

Perhaps somebody on here knows a reporter that might find this news worthy.  I mean, how did this get past the house.  Were they all daydreaming about golf that day or something because obviously nobody was considering any of the things I have mentioned here.  I mean do they even think anything through or just say..... "sounds like a good idea".... yeah!

All 118 members of the House are up for reelection, logic does not rule the day in an election year. The bill was presented as a crime bill, and nobody wants their opponent running around in the fall showing that they voted against a crime bill. Costs are NEVER a consideration on a political vote. There is nothing you can say to your Senator that will get him to vote NO, this bill will get a more deliberate hearing in the Senate. But, in the end it passes.

I think you both are right what you said.

1) This Bill will Pass the senate because no senator has the Balls to  say NO to this Bill and loose an election.

2) Yes we cannot fill the prisons with thousands of horny guys who just want to have some nice time.

So 99% of the people will not face any jail term because the state can not afford it, but they will face stiff fines ranging in thousands so the state can make Money in this Bad Economy just like Red Traffic light cameras. Most of the cases will be settle out of the court between the prosecutors and defense lawyers, that means more money for Lawyer community to save a guy or gal from the lockup. So get ready and I hope you have deep pockets because this will be one penalty you will not forget.

Back to DATY..

The law will pass with the logic that if the penalty is sever enough, the hobbyist will stop their past time and the providers will move to wealthier climates.  In addition, the law states that the $1,000 for an impounded car divided 50/50 with the city in which the arrest was made and the state, will be returned if the charges are dropped or overturn.  Can you say "Let's Make a Deal" when a hobbyist is informed that they face a felony with 2-5 years jail time, not to mentioned a ruined carrier given the amount of background checks done in today's business world.  "Have you ever been convicted of a felony?"  It will make a lot of people think twice, or may cause cooperation with LE, making life more difficult for providers, agencies, etc.

The bill may be a benefit to local providers as it may well have an impact of touring ladies.

Maybe a little off topic here; but related to your point about the state being broke. I have a pension and health care benefits from the state. Recently, the company that handles claims hasn't been paying them because the state hasn't funded their health care obligations. Of course, the politicians have spent all our contributions over the years and now the public is blaming us (educators) for bankrupting the state when it's the damned politicians who did us in.

Should send a letter to each asking them if they want to have a felony record (most of them cheat and exchange something of value).

Remind them that this potentially opens them up to more severe blackmail.

The numbers I threw out there are "street" level arrests.  They are not going to get 1000's of dollars in fines from street walking girls!  Hello!  

As far as making a blanket statement that "this bill is going to pass" as though there is absolutely nothing that can be done to change that, like you have a crystal ball, have looked into the future and walla..... "the answer is".....!  Please, give me a break!

I mean, has anybody even read this bill?  I haven't.  But based on the info that has been spread around this board, this bill makes no sense whatsover.  I mean..... I meet a lady at a laundromat, take her out to dinner, we hit it off and end up doing the horizontal tango and because she was arrested 15 years ago for prostitution, I am subject to a felony arrest?  A woman who is arrested and convicted for prostitution, is then sentenced to "LIFE" in that she can never have a "NORMAL" relationship with a man?  Please spare me this crap!

I mean if you want to talk about ammunition an opponent in an election year having, it would be the fact that a "Senator" actually voted yes for a bill as moronic as that.  

You know, after watching that show "celebrity apprentice" the last month or so, I am convinced that half these guys down there have not even read the damn bill.  I mean Blago, who apparently ran this state and at one time was a United States Congressman, has no clue how to even turn a computer on.  He can't text someone, can't email anyone and does not know how to type in www.whatever.com or where to type it in!  I mean how does a guy get a law degree and not know how to do these things?  I feel sorry for this guy.  I mean, I doubt he can even spell corrupt, let alone be corrupt!  LOL!

If there are any lawyers out there who can get a copy of this bill and analyze it, lets get together and find a reason why a Senator or the Governor can sink their teeth into and not sign off on this thing.  I am just a layman and I think I have a couple of valid points based just on the bits and pieces I have heard on here.

First: I know of 15 attorneys in Springfield who have read the bill and have prepared a detailed analysis of the legislation.
Second: IF YOU had read the bill you would have seen that there are only a couple of changes to CURRENT LAWS already on the books.
Third: The main change is taking the current punishment from a misdemeanor to a class 4 felony, and then allowing for an increase in the fine and allowing the authorities to impound a vehicle used in committing the crime. It does provide for relief if the arrestee is not guilty for that person to have their property returned. Finally, it sets up a new mechanism thru the courts and the State Department of Human Services to distribute any fines collected for violations of this Act.
I continually shared with many providers the progress of this legislation as it moved thru the House, and the eventual outcome. And YES, I do have a crystal ball when it comes to things happening with lawmaking in Springgfield, and you live in Blago's fantasy world if you think that a politician would FEAR having a hooker and a pimp stand up at a campaign appearance and challenge them for voting YES on a piece of legislation that toughens current criminal sanctions and actions. Wake up my friend, when we partake in this hobby, we ARE violating the law, and if you think the general voting public will not take it out on an elected official who votes against a get tough on ANY CRIME bill you are wrong.

and every politician knows it. There is no way this will not pass. Every reply written before mine I agree with. How many no votes were cast in the first tally?

This may be a bill we don't agree with. It may well be not enforceable uniformly, but that is not the point. It is political genius in that it benefits the individual jurisdictions by splitting $$ with them to get a car back. The penalty is severe enough to deter participation. Police will carefully use this law to selectively target either high profile cases, or high volume to show their 'dedication' against prostitution. Police care about number of arrests, not convictions. Even if no jail time is given, a guilty conviction will attach a felony for life, and imposed fines in lieu of jail time can be heavy. Most of these convictions will probably involve probation and fines. These don't cause problems with prison overcrowding. All this will cause the majority to seek deals, leading to more arrests farther up the 'food chain'.

The best bet would be a great defense lawyer pointing out all of the stupid elements, challenging the proof of the police and legality of the bill in the first place - after many appeals. How many of us can afford this truly?

There is no politician with the guts to vote no unless he/she is retiring. Wrigs is 100% correct, this will absolutely pass and there is no politician that will see our 'logic' and agree enough to risk the next election, there is no way enough letters can be written to overturn political opinion on an issue like this.

Any car used in the crime, provider or hobbyist, will be impounded with a $1000 bail to get it out. There's the financial motive behind passing this bill. How many will be found innocent? If you're caught, it's likely you're guilty unless you have a very good lawyer. The deterrent is the felony charge and I agree that being faced with the choice of a felony charge or making a deal with the cops will break down most people. A misdemeanor charge keeps most quiet, I doubt a felony charge will.

Politicians don't care where the enforcement money will come from. There have been many unfunded mandates in IL history and the state and cities constantly argue over who's paying to enforce the law. This law has high enough fines to offset the cost of enforcement. That's why they raised the impound fee so much. No politician will vote against this unless they don't mind losing the next election. It'll pass the senate exactly the way it passed the house - unanimously and Quinn will sign it into law. Enjoy hobbying while it's still a misdemeanor.

besides, I haven't heard you say that you have read it either.  You know 15 attorneys who have, so how is your commenting on this any different than me.  I stated that I was commenting on what had been said on here regarding the bill anyway.

Also, who said anything about a "pimp and his hooker" saying anything.  Finally, you don't know for sure what is going to happen in the end regarding the Bill.  Your assumptions may be right and the end result may be what you are predicting but until it happens, you don't know for sure what is going to happen.  It could sit on Quinn's desk until after the election for all you know.

So, is there anyone out there who has a solution and is an attorney or knows  a reporter and has read this bill and can figure out any reason that it should not pass other than it might cramp your hobbying efforts?  Because this Bill is not going to put an end to the business.  This business has been around almost as long as dirt.  If anything, it is going to raise the cost of it.  The higher the risk, the higher the cost.

since all this stuff is readibly available on line:
text of HB6195
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=09600HB6195eng&GA=96&SessionId=76&DocTypeId=HB&LegID=52182&DocNum=6195&GAID=10&Session=
Legislative history in the House:
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=6195&GAID=10&DocTypeID=HB&LegId=52182&SessionID=76&GA=96

AND, the Governor doesnt have until after the election to sign the bill he will only have 90 days once it reaches his desk.

truthfully, I don't see where anything has really changed or will change from either side of things.  Because, I have always understood the legalities of what I am doing and accordingly, have been very cautious as I assume we all have.  

The key here is to not get caught, just like it has always been.  And, the way the criminal justice system works, with a decent lawyer, the States Attorney will almost always be willing to drop the charge to a lower charge in a plea agreement, if only to save money and the lesser charge from a class4 felony is a misdemeaner.

The main deterrent for most people up until now has not been so much the level of the crime but the fear that the wife and or job might find out.  From that standpoint nothing is changing.

One of the things you might see change is the amount of screening that takes place on sites like CL and BP and the amount of ladies that travel in from other states.  The initial shock is going to and apparently already has spooked some people but that will subside.  It should be interesting.  I am and always will be an optimist.  The glass is and always will be half full... not half empty with me!

To be used to fight the trafficking that was the point in the first place.  Suggest getting on the phone and talk to a staffer.

A well financed group brought this to the house.  They are trying to do this in every state, with Illinois a priority.  Their goal is to make the penalty so severe that the hobbyist will not hobby any longer.

The comments about headlines are right on.  The provider would still face a misdemeanor while hobbyist or pimp (escort agency) face a felony.  The troubling part is a "known" prostitute.  That frightens me as a bust of a party can land many felony charges for knowingly associating with a prostitute.

First, what is the definition of a known prostitute? Does "known" mean already been busted? Or does known mean others have said she's a prostitute and as such, is hearsay?

Second, how can it be illegal to be in the same room with a known prostitute if there's no sex taking place? You happen to be at a party and a known prostitute is there. So what? I've never understood the "associating with a known prostitute" argument. A known prostitute can be a friend you have lunch with. What about her boyfriend who sleeps with her? Does he get arrested too? And how would he prove he's her boyfriend and not her pimp or a john? Maybe the fact that he allows her to be a prostitute automatically makes him a pimp? I can see the conspiracy argument being made in soliciting a prostitute. But simply being in the presence of a known prostitute doesn't mean there was solicitation. Prostitutes have friends so now those friends can be arrested as well?

that our genius lawmakers didn't legalize the hobby and tax the hell out of us to pay for their salary and benefit increases.

They have figured out they can't stop the vdeo poker play in privately owned bars .... so why not legalize it and cash in ..... Well, they figured that one out, but it took them awhile.

Well, well, well, at least someone is having a concrete thought into how to go about reprimanding our so-called political "helpers".  I do hope we have some intellect involved in these letters to the higher ups, who, in my opinion musta been high to go about and waste their time with such Tom foolery

XXX-Giselle

Unless I'm missing something?