Just when you thought you could get a tattoo in DeKalb, you can’t.
June 19, 1991
The DeKalb City Council passed another ordinance 5-1 that bans tattooing within the city limits at its May 28 meeting. The new ordinance went into effect on June 6.
Seventh Ward Ald. Jamie Pennington was the only council member who voted against the new ordinance.
The new ordinance is a rewording of the first because Judge Douglas Engel “felt the definition of tattooing was too broad,” City Manager Mark Stevens said.
“The wording (of the ordinance) is the same as the state statute now,” he said.
Stevens said the ordinance will remain in effect until it needs to be changed.
The new ordinance will help the city with its case against Craig Murphy, who owns the Skin of a Different Color tattoo parlor, 345 W. Lincoln Hwy.
Murphy received an injunction after the first ordinance went into effect and was able to stay in business for about a week before a temporary restraining order was issued.
The restraining order was issued by Judge Engel prohibiting Murphy’s parlor from tattooing in DeKalb, he said.
Murphy said he will try to get another injunction next week. If denied, Murphy said he will take the decision to a higher court.
Murphy said he is considering opening another tattoo parlor in Sycamore.
“I’m going to keep both shops if I can,” he said.
“They’re trying to kick me out and I don’t want to leave,” he said.
Murphy said he is still open for appointments and is tattooing outside of the city limits.