Naperville to allow ear piercing

The Naperville ordinance prohibiting body piercing and tattooing has gotten a bit looser.

The definition of body piercing no longer includes ear piercing, so the new Claire's jewelry and accessories shop that opened last fall in downtown Naperville can begin piercing ears.

Claire's asked for the change so its Naperville location could offer the same ear-piercing services available at its more than 3,000 other stores across the U.S., Europe and China, according to a letter from Amy Bader, director of risk management for Claire's. The business says it has performed about 87 million ear piercings in its 50-year history.

"We believe that an exception for ear piercing in this case preserves the city's interest in promoting safe and healthy body piercings while at the same time would not unduly restrict Claire's from continuing its long-standing ear-piercing practice," Bader said in a letter to the city.

Naperville's amended ordinance, approved Tuesday, now mirrors language in state regulations that govern body piercing, but exclude the piercing of ears from oversight.

City Manager Doug Krieger said the change to the ordinance applies citywide, not just for Claire's. So other businesses can begin offering ear piercing if they so choose.

Katie Wood, executive director of the Downtown Naperville Alliance, said the organization supports the ordinance change.

"It is part of Claire's business model," Wood said. "And as long as they adhere to county, city and state health guidelines, which they do, we would be in full support of them being permitted to do this in their downtown location."