{"id":373137,"date":"2016-10-31T15:53:39","date_gmt":"2016-10-31T20:53:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/illinois-law\/illinois-prostitution-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-12-04T11:13:29","modified_gmt":"2024-12-04T16:13:29","slug":"illinois-prostitution-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/illinois-law\/illinois-prostitution-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Illinois Prostitution Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Illinois Prostitution Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

In the state of Illinois, the act of prostitution is a low-level misdemeanor. The offense becomes more serious for those who make a living from inducing others to buy or sell the sexual services of others.<\/p>\r\n

Illinois law exempts those under 18 years of age from prosecution for any prostitution-related offense (Illinois Statutes \u00a7 5\/11-14(d)<\/a>).<\/p>\r\n

Illinois Prostitution Laws<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Illinois’ prostitution statute (ILCS \u00a7 5\/11-14<\/a>) defines prostitution as knowingly performing, offering, or agreeing to perform any act of sexual penetration, including touching or fondling the sex organs of one person by another person for purposes of sexual arousal or gratification in exchange for anything of value.<\/p>\r\n

Sexual acts exclude any emergency procedures, consensual sexual encounters, and sexual assault.<\/p>\r\n

Performing sexual acts for value can’t happen without a purchaser. Illinois law has criminal charges for those who provide a market for the sale of sex.<\/p>\r\n

Solicitation of a sexual act (Illinois Statutes Section 5\/11-14.1<\/a>) happens when a person offers anyone not their spouse any item of value for sexual acts. If they know the other person is a sex worker, the crime is patronizing a prostitute (ILCS \u00a7 5\/11-18<\/a>).<\/p>\r\n

Owning or maintaining a place of prostitution (i.e., a brothel) is illegal in Illinois, as in most states. "Advancing prostitution" (ILCS \u00a7 5\/11-14.3<\/a> Promoting Prostitution) includes all types of making a profit from prostitution, including:<\/p>\r\n