It seemed at first that some DuPage County officials were grasping at straws in demanding that alcohol be banned at strip clubs.
What did it matter if patrons purchased liquor at bars or brought their own beverages to consume in adult businesses? People can get just as juiced up on one as they can at the other. So why differentiate between them?
But after doing some research into the matter, my viewpoint has changed. There are some inherent problems with allowing people to drink alcohol at strip clubs, and the county is addressing them.
First, some background. In 1992, the Illinois General Assembly passed a law allowing non-home rule counties to regulate businesses operating as public accommodations that weren’t subject to the Illinois Liquor Control Act of 1934 yet permitted patrons to bring their own alcohol.
In response, adult entertainment businesses that had a bring-your-own-beverage policy began calling themselves “private clubs” and charged membership fees.
This permitted them to bypass the 1992 law and continue allowing customers to bring in their own liquor.
DuPage County Board member Jim Zay, R-6th District, of Carol Stream, had led the charge to tighten regulations on strip clubs that permit patrons to bring in their own alcohol. He has cited several incidents involving clients of Diamonds Gentlemen’s Club in unincorporated DuPage County near West Chicago — two were driving under the influence fatalities and one was a homicide.
“When you have people bringing in their own liquor, the establishment has no control on how much anyone is drinking or who is drinking. It is only 18 years old to enter Diamonds, so you have underage kids in this establishment,” Zay said. “Everyone is taking this as we are out against strip clubs.
“This has not been my problem. ... My problem is that they have people bringing in liquor with really no supervision. If this was any other bar, they would have a liquor license and then have certain responsibilities not to over-serve patrons.”
Zay has a valid point about strip clubs with a BYOB policy having less control over how much people drink. And patrons get stirred up enough watching women strip off their clothes. Adding alcohol to the scenario could well increase their aggressiveness.
A County Board subcommittee chaired by Zay held a hearing to investigate BYOB policies at strip clubs. Subcommittee members unanimously approved a measure to ban the practice, and the proposal will go before the Judicial and Public Safety Committee before being considered by the full board.
This is a sound idea that deserves the County Board’s support.
Jerry Moore is a news editor with Suburban Life Publications and can be contacted at jmoore@mysuburbanlife.com. His blog, Suburban Shoutout, can be found at www.mysuburbanlife.com.
