Tattoos Enter Our Popular Culture

The would-be proprietors of Hold Fast Tattoo Parlour approached the City Council in July, asking to open a shop at 1728 Sheridan Road, but was unanimously turned down for a special-use permit, despite investor David Dobreff's promises to use pristine sterilization techniques, obey state laws and run a low-key, appointment-only business.

Mayor Leon Rockingham and other council members argued that a tattoo shop was not the "image" they wanted for Sheridan Road north of Martin Luther King Drive, the city's downtown now in the process of revitalization.

The Chicago law firm O'Halloran, Kosoff, Geitner & Cook is representing the city and has drafted a motion to dismiss that will be heard in U.S. District Court in Chicago today, according to city attorney Chuck Smith.

Smith added that it was a positive sign that the attorney for the plaintiff had called to inquire if there was another site within the city where a tattoo parlor would be allowed -- one is located on Route 137 west of Route 41.

"They may look at other locations and perhaps we can get this suit dismissed," Smith told the council.

Earlier this year, a Libertyville tattoo shop opened a second studio in downtown Antioch after filing suit against the village, which had amended its zoning ordinance requiring that such a business be located at least 500 feet from any church, public school, playground or athletic field.



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