N. Aurora sets standards for window displays

Everyone knows that sex sells, but in North Aurora so do standards.

Responding to residents' complaints, the village board unanimously approved an ordinance Monday which ensures window displays are non-sexual. Before the vote, the village had no way to enforce a standard of decency Village Attorney Kevin Drendel said.

"If there was ever anything inappropriate in terms of displays, we didn't have a standard in an ordinance to deal with it. Now we do," Drendel said, "If you have the mannequin apparently portraying a sexual act; that would cross the line."

He said the ordinance does not impinge on the First Amendment right to speech because it does not look at content. Fines for specific violations -- spelled out graphically in the language of the ordinance -- can range from under $100 up to $750.

Last month, Village Administrator Sue McLaughlin reported to the board several complaints about displays at Lovers Lane, which recently opened one of its stores facing Randall Road near Comiskey Avenue. Although the displays change frequently and the offensive one was down soon after it appeared, she said last month the village still wanted some way to ensure decency.

Trustee Mike Herlihy said the ordinance does not single one business out. Even though one business may have sparked the question, the board discussed how displays at other retailers should also be subject to scrutiny.

"It's really about decency," Herlihy said.

Drendel also stated the ordinance was not directed at a single business but at the village as a whole.

Trustee Dale Berman said the ordinance shows the board is listening to what residents think is inappropriate for the village.

"It says we're concerned and want to do everything we can to guarantee the village maintains a standard," Berman said.

He also acknowledged that to some people, the ordinance may seem a little far reaching because everyone has different tastes and thresholds of what offends them.