Alderman Pushes for "Prostitution-Free" Zones

By Chuck Sudo in News on Apr 15, 2011 4:20PM

A West Side alderman introduced legislation earlier this week to set "prostitution-free" loitering zones throughout the city. The ordinance proposed by 28th Ward Ald. Jason Ervin is modeled after the city's anti-gang loitering ban and would prohibit people convicted of prostitution-related crimes from hanging out in parks and public areas in designated "hot zones." Ervin said that prostitution is a problem in his ward and said in a press statement, "Stopping and keeping prostitution out of the 28th Ward and the City of Chicago is what this proposed ordinance is going to do."

If the ordinance is approved, the prostitution-free zones would be determined with input from elected officials, community leaders and organizations, CAPS officials and citizens.