Tattoo artists, body piercers to be inspected by Lake Co. Health Dept.

Tattoo and body piercing artists say they favor new inspection efforts by the Lake County Health Department.

Acting as an agent for the Illinois Department of Public Health, inspectors from Lake County will be visiting more than a dozen establishments in the coming weeks. Until now, there hasn't been a formal inspection process. The agents will make sure the shops are following safety and sanitary procedures.

"We are excited about them coming," said Kathy Maguire of Modern Tattoo in North Chicago. "Customers want to know the place is safe. We welcome the inspections."

Health officials said their goal is to prevent infection and other health risks related to unsanitary conditions.

"They'll be making sure all of our artists have been trained about the dangers of blood-born pathogens," Maguire said. "They'll check to see that we're following all the sanitary procedures."

Maguire said she and other parlor owners are concerned about people who pierce or apply tattoos out of their homes. Those places put people at risk of infection, she said.

County officials have identified at least 12 shops and believe there might be two or three more.

Brian Bongner heads the STD/HIV program for the Lake County Health Department. He says money to fund the inspection program will come from annual fees paid by the shops' owners.

"Basic registration is $500 and that covers two stations," he said. "Each additional station costs $50. We are really trying to make sure they are following procedures and are providing the safest environment possible. We aren't hearing any negative reactions to the inspection process."

You might imagine the idea of paying at least $500 or more in a new state fee would be bad news in a tough economy, but Bongner said passing inspection can work to promote their businesses.

"Most of them have been adhering to these standards already," Bongner said. "This substantiates that for them. They pride themselves in their work and the quality of their environment. The inspection shows they are meeting those high standards."