Overhauled 'Pole Tax' Plan Endorsed by Illinois Lawmakers

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois lawmakers are endorsing a revamped strip club "pole tax" that would generate less revenue than originally planned.

A Senate panel this week has given the green light to tax strip club patrons $3; alternatively, clubs could opt for a flat annual fee based on the amount of revenue they generate.

The proposal would affect clubs that offer alcohol and nudity, including topless dancing.

The legislation, state House Bill 1645, originally sought $5 a head and no flat fee to help fund rape crisis centers in the state.

With the rewritten bill, lawmakers estimated it would bring in about $1 million, less than a projected $6 million in the bill's previous incarnation.

Now, club operators that don't charge the $3 tariffs to customers would be subject to a flat annual fee option, according to the bill's language. Clubs that report taxable receipts of $2 million or more would pay $25,000 a year; clubs that report total receipts of $500,000 to $2 million would pay $15,000; and clubs that report total receipts of less than $500,000 would pay $5,000.

State Sen. Toi Hutchinson, who introduced the bill, said that lobbyists for the adult entertainment industry, particularly the Illinois Club Owners Association, were able to forge a compromise during intense talks.

The Illinois measure, which sailed through the Senate Public Health Committee unanimously, now heads to the full Senate for further debate.

Pole taxes are now mandatory in Texas and Utah, with legislation being mulled for similar tariffs for adult entertainment customers in Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and California.

Texas' pole tax runs $5 a head, while Utah charges a tax of 10 percent of gross receipts. California lawmakers are mulling a $10 tax for strip club patrons.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Florida AG Sues Aylo, Segpay Over State AV Law

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed lawsuits against Aylo and Segpay today with the 12th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida for noncompliance with HB3, the state's age verification law.

Colombian Court Sides with Esperanza Goméz in Meta Account Deactivation Battle

On Friday, Colombia’s Constitutional Court ruled in favor of adult performer Esperanza Gómez in her legal battle against Meta over repeated suspensions of her Instagram account.

Orion Expands Cottelli 'Accessoires,' 'Party' Lines

Orion Wholesale has introduced seven new pieces from its Cottelli Accessoires line and one from its Party collection.

Missouri AG Announces Age Verification Rule to Take Effect Nov. 30

Newly appointed Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced Friday that the state's recently approved age verification regulation for adult websites will go into effect on Nov. 30.

Aylo, Woodhull Freedom Foundation to Host 'Online Censorship' Event

Aylo and Woodhull Freedom Foundation will co-host a virtual panel addressing online censorship on Sept. 30.

ProDx Health Launches Affiliate Program

ProDx Health has launched an affiliate program for creators and other members of the adult industry that promote its home-collection testing kits.

Lovense 'Ferri' Spotlighted on Wired.com

Lovense’s Ferri has been spotlighted on Wired.com.

Judge Awards Plaintiffs Over $400K in Attorneys Fees in Derek Hay Civil Case

California Superior Court Judge Gail Killefer has awarded former clients of LA Direct Models over $400,000 in attorneys fees and court costs, to be paid by agency founder Derek Hay.

Orion Debuts New Style From Cottelli Lingerie

Orion Wholesale has added a new style from its Cottelli Lingerie line.

JO Debuts Stroker-Optimized Lube

JO has introduced its new Stroker Lube, engineered for use with strokers and sleeves.

Show More