Picking Up a Hooker May Get Pricier

By Ali Trachta in News on Nov 10, 2008 6:05PM

If you plan to make time with a hooker in unincorporated Cook County, there are a few things you should consider first. (If you're capable of thinking about anything besides the bulge in your pants?) The Cook County Board is currently considering a proposal that would impose stricter penalties on anyone attempting to pick up a prostitute. Currently those caught soliciting hookers are given a $100 fine and made to take a two-hour class in order to expunge charges from their record. Apparently this slap on the wrist doesn't deter repeat a offenders, so the new ordinance proposes a $1,000 fine, a vehicle impound and 100 hours of community service. Per Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart:

"We're trying to do something that has not been done before. We're using our brains," Dart said. "Our experience with prostitution stings shows it's a broken record. [Johns] pay the $100 fine and they're out the door. They take a 2-hour class that expunges everything from their record ... and they're out there again continuing their behavior."

The proposed penalty is 20 to 30 times the going rate for sex acts, which officials hope will make "Johns" think twice. They also hope it will de-hooker-ize Mannheim Road in Leyden Township, which has been a prostitution destination for decades. [Trib]

Photo by telethon.