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DuPage may require licenses for adult businesses

Adult businesses in DuPage County soon could be required to go through a special licensing process that would include annual inspections and background checks of employees.

Members of the county board's development committee talked about creating the new licenses Tuesday after supporting a text amendment to expand the definition of an adult business.

"The licensing is going to give us an immediate impact to be able to deal with businesses that are catering to adults and adults only," said county board member Sam Tornatore, who serves as committee chairman.

By law, the county can't ban adult businesses because it lacks home rule power, but it can restrict where they are located.

Earlier this year, residents started raising concerns about several businesses, including an adult photography studio that opened near Wheaton. Then there was a fatal shooting last month that left a 29-year-old security guard dead at the Bella One Spa near Roselle.

County board members say such problems show their zoning rules for adult businesses must be updated.

In the case of the adult photography studio, neighbors complained for months, but it wasn't defined as an adult businesses under the existing ordinance.

That would change as part of the text amendment the committee approved Tuesday.

If the full county board approves the change, the amendment will expand the "adult business" definition to include businesses that only provide service to people 18 or older.

Businesses with certain licenses and permits, including bars and liquor stores, would be exempt.

Once an establishment is defined as an adult business, it must follow certain regulations.

Under DuPage's existing zoning rules, adult businesses are only allowed in industrial zoning districts. They also must be at least 1,000 feet from schools, day care centers, religious institutions, cemeteries, residences and recreational areas.

But even if the amendment is approved, it only would apply to new businesses.

The proposed licensing program, meanwhile, would allow the county to better regulate existing businesses.

"It's the only avenue that we can deal with the existing businesses that are out there right now that are potentially problematic," Tornatore said.

As part of the proposed program, businesses would be required to renew their licenses each year. The process could include annual inspections and background checks of employees.

"We'll know who's working there, who owns it," Tornatore said. "There will be background checks. There will be various other reasonable requirements."

He said there's also going to be an enforcement process to deal with complaints.

The license program is expected to be implemented by the end of the year. Committee members are expected to review a draft of the proposal next month.

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