Gentleman's club's booze policy under fire
A DuPage County board member is proposing legislation to close a loophole that allows patrons of a popular West Chicago gentleman's club to drink alcohol and see women dance in the buff.
County ordinances prohibit the intermingling of female nudity and the sale of alcohol. However, operators of Diamonds Gentlemen's Club, 31W577 North Ave. near the DuPage County Airport, allow visitors to bring their own alcoholic beverages to the club to watch the fully nude dancers.
Board member Jim Zay said he wants to close that loophole to increase public safety. He cited the deaths of six victims in two DUI-related crashes in recent years as the impetus for the legislation.
The drunken drivers in both cases had visited the strip club prior to the accidents, authorities said.
Zay introduced the proposal at Tuesday's county board meeting. He said he wanted it "expedited" so a vote might come in February.
"I read in the Daily Herald that lawyers for the club are trying to be removed from a lawsuit from one of the crashes, saying they didn't serve the alcohol so they aren't responsible," he said.
In fact, a Kane County judge recently ruled against the owners of the club, saying they would be obligated to pay the families of the victims of a 2006 crash on Route 25 near South Elgin if the club loses the case.
Lawyers for the club refused comment on the proposed ordinance.
DuPage County State's Attorney Joseph Birkett said Tuesday was the first he'd heard of Zay's proposal.
"Generally speaking, legislation that is likely to be challenged on constitutional grounds has to be carefully crafted," he said. "Getting a strong opinion from the state's attorney or attorney general is very advisable."
Birkett said an ordinance that hampers a legitimate commercial enterprise might be difficult to enact.
County board Chairman Robert Schillerstrom supports the proposal.
"It's a good idea," he said. "I don't know that it's overdue, but it's something that should be investigated. It's something we need to look at and rectify a situation to make it safer."
Diamonds has been connected with the two fatal DUI-related crashes as well as a homicide since opening in 2001.
• In May 2005, Shelley Dogra crashed his car on an isolated stretch of Indian Knoll Road in West Chicago after spending time at the club. Dogra survived, but his three passengers didn't. He was sentenced to seven years in prison.
• In January 2006, John Homatas drunkenly drove his car into oncoming traffic on Route 25 near South Elgin after visiting Diamonds. Homatas survived, but the crash killed his passenger, the woman driving the other vehicle and the woman's 8-month-old fetus.
• In November 2006, Bradley Justice was charged with murdering a pizza delivery driver in a parking lot near the club. Prosecutors allege Justice used the cell phone of a club bouncer to order the pizza.
Zay, who is seeking re-election this year and is running against Pam Fenner and Robert Larsen for one of the two open district seats on the county board in the Feb. 5 Republican primary, said the proposal is about protecting residents. Though targeting Diamonds, the law would apply to any similar operations in the county.
"We can no longer put our constituents at risk," he said.