Illinois New Law
The Philanthropist
One of the strongest laws against the social evil to be found on the statute book of any state was passed by the Illinois legislature at its late session, and became a statute of the state by approval of the Governor on June 1st. The following is the law in full:
"An act in relation to pandering, to define and prohibit same, to provide for the punishment thereof, for the competency of certain evidence at the trial thereof, and providing what shall not be a defense.
"Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the people of the state of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly: Any person who shall procure a female inmate for a house of prostitution or who, by promises, threats, violence or by any device or scheme, cause, induce, persuade or encourage an inmate of a house of prostitution to remain therein as such inmate, shall be guilty of pandering, and upon conviction for the first offense under this act shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail or house of correction for a period of not less than six months nor more than one year, or by fine not to exceed one thousand dollars, or both, and upon conviction for a second offense under this act shall be punished by imprisonment in the penitentiary for a period of not less than one year nor more than five years.
Sec. 2. Any such female referred to in the foregoing section shall be a competent witness in any prosecution, under this act to testify to any and all matters, including conversations with the accused, or by him with or by third persons in her presence, notwithstanding her having married the accused either before or after the violation of any of the provisions of this act.
Sec. 3. The act or state of marriage shall not be a defense of any violation of this act.
