If you’re planning on getting ink in DeKalb, you’d better be talking about pens.

It may come as a surprise for students interested in getting a tattoo in their college’s town, but DeKalb has an ordinance prohibiting the operation of tattoo parlors.

“I’m really surprised that DeKalb doesn’t have any tattoo parlors, because, being a college town, most people would assume there would be some,” said Megan Laurent, a nutrition and dietetics major.

The tattoo ordinance took effect in May 1991.

“[It came about when] someone opened a parlor in downtown DeKalb,” said DeKalb City Clerk Donna Johnson. “At that time, city council didn’t want a tattoo parlor in the city and came up with the ordinance.”

The ordinance, found under Municipal 11.04 states, “It shall be unlawful for any person to tattoo a human being, except that tattooing may be performed for medical purpose by a person licensed or otherwise authorized by the State of Illinois to practice medicine or osteopathy.”

Although NIU existed in 1991, the social landscape was different, and tattoos were not as commonplace among college students.

“In 1991, the opinion of tattoos were not as they are today,” Johnson said. “They are more socially acceptable now.”

Even though DeKalb prohibits tattoos, body-piercing businesses can be successful without relying on tattoo profits.

“The college is only one-third of our business,” said Kenny Weinstock, owner of Out On A Whim, 127 E. Lincoln Highway.

Even if DeKalb did allow tattoo parlors, body-piercing businesses would most likely not see a huge profit, especially coming from students.

“A lot of college kids can’t afford tattooing,” Weinstock said. “Tattooing can be very expensive.”

Although the ordinance has existed for over ten years, it could potentially be revoked in the future.

“Over the years, we’ve had different people contacting us, asking if they can open a business here,” Johnson said. “No one has ever wanted to go so far as to ask city council to change the ordinance.”