Performers for Heartland International Tattoo are heading to the Convocation Center this weekend, but there’s another type of tattoo DeKalb is keeping out of the city.

“There is an ordinance on the books that there are to be no tattoo parlors in the city,” said city attorney Norma Guess.

Guess said she has not heard of anyone requesting a reversal of the ordinance.

“As far as I know, I don’t think we’ve had any requests,” Guess said.

Proton Studio, a tattoo parlor in Cortland, sees business from many NIU students.

“We get quite a few,” said owner Chris May.

If DeKalb were to change its policy, May said it could cause some controversy.

“I could almost see that being a problem,” May said. “A lot of people would open up shop, and there might be the problem of quality control.”

May said the city should give more attention to unsanitary tattooing conditions.

“The city should probably worry more about tattooing out of houses,” May said. “It’s an easy way to spread disease.”

Kenny Weinstock, owner of Out On A Whim in DeKalb, said tattoo safety is neglected among members of state government.

“There aren’t any regulations in Illinois except age,” Weinstock said. “[In Illinois,] anyone could set up shop and call themselves a professional.”

New state regulations are a possibility, and the state may see a change by June.

“It’s going to happen this summer,” May said. “They’re going to start licensing.”

Guess is aware of the pending state legislation. She said to reverse the city ordinance, three city council members would have to request a change.

“I think the town thinks [tattooing] brings down the image,” May said.

Senior biology major Ben Pearson said the town’s lack of a tattoo parlor is ridiculous.

“People are going to do what they want anyway. The town shouldn’t tell people what to do,” Pearson said.