Isn't it a felony there?
Originally Posted by Lexxxy
Illinois prostitution law
Illinois provides the possibility for very strict penalties when found guilty of prostitution and other related offenses.
Just like in every state in the U.S., prostitution is illegal in Illinois. Laws specifically define the crime and the potential sentences.
Prostitution defined
Illinois defines someone as a prostitute as someone who performs, agrees to or offers to perform any act of sexual penetration in exchange for something valuable, such as money, tokens, property, drugs or other articles of value. Additionally, the definition expands to include anyone who performs any touching or fondling of the sex organs for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification in exchange for money or other items of value. Prostitution is a Class A Misdemeanor on the first conviction. Subsequent convictions or convictions that occur for the crime being committed within 1,000 feet of a school result in a Class 4 Felony charge.
Solicitation
When one person attempts to offer a payment of money or other valuables to a person not his or her spouse in exchange for any act of sexual penetration or act of fondling, it is considered solicitation of a sexual act, which is a Class B Misdemeanor. Multiple convictions or convictions from arrests within 1,000 feet of a school are considered Class 4 Felonies.
Additionally, it is also illegal to solicit for a prostitute. Someone who asks another for acts of prostitution or arranges or offers to arrange a meeting of persons for prostitution may be found guilty of soliciting for a prostitute. Another aspect of this law is that someone who directs another to a place knowing that such direction is for the purpose of prostitution is guilty of solicitation, as well. This is considered a Class A Misdemeanor on the first conviction and a Class 4 Felony conviction on subsequent convictions.
If a vehicle is involved in solicitation, it may be seized and impounded. The defendant may retrieve the car after at least 2 hours from the time of arrest and after paying a $200 fee. If the defendant is acquitted of the crime, the fee will be refunded. The fee helps offset towing and other administrative costs.
Pandering
Considered as a Class 4 Felony, pandering is when a person compels another to become a prostitute or arranges a situation for prostitution to occur in exchange for money or other items found valuable. The offense becomes a more serious charge of a Class 3 Felony if one is arrested within 1,000 feet of a school.
Brothels and pimping
It is illegal in Illinois to keep a place of prostitution by having or exercising control over the use of a location to provide shelter or seclusion for prostitution. Someone may be found guilty of this charge if he knowingly or should know due to circumstances that prostitution is occurring on the premises.
Pimping is also prohibited by Illinois statutes. Anyone found guilty of receiving money, property, objects of value or other items knowing it was received from acts of prostitution can be considered a pimp. This is a Class A Misdemeanor in the first conviction and a Class 4 Felony on subsequent convictions.
Being a customer
The state of Illinois sets forth laws determining that anyone who engages in the act of penetration with a prostitute or enters or remains inside a house of prostitution with the intent to engage in an act of sexual penetration is guilty of patronizing a prostitute. This crime is a Class A Misdemeanor on the first conviction. More convictions result in Class 4 Felony charges. The law does designate that these acts must occur with someone other than the defendant's spouse to be a crime