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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Lisa Zepeda, Revenue & Collections Manager
DATE: April 14, 2026
SUBJECT:
A resolution establishing the maximum number of licenses in the City of Aurora in accordance with Chapter 25, Article XI "Tattoo and Body Art Establishments."
PURPOSE:
To update the number of available licenses available for tattoo and body art establishments.
BACKGROUND:
In 2023 City Council made changes to Chapter 25, Article XI "Tattoo and Body Art Establishments" which included the discretion by council to adjust the number of available licenses by separate resolution. As with the case of other types of licenses, the City Council authorizes a number of licenses equal to the number of establishments holding them and adjusts that number following the submittal of a complete application.
DISCUSSION:
On 4/8/25 Resolution No. R25-113 increased the number of available tattoo and body art licenses from five (5) to six (6).
The Inkery Tattoo Studio, located at 1161 N Farnsworth Ave. Suite B, closed permanently as of December 31, 2025 which reduced the available number of licenses from six (6) back to five (5). A new tattoo business owner has applied for a license at the same location and is set to open once their license is issued. Tattoo establishment licenses are non-transferable, so a new license is required by resolution.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
There is no impact as the number of tattoo and body art establishments would remain at six (6) if the new owner is approved.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff respectfully requests the approval of this resolution.
cc: Public Health, Safety and Transportation Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution establishing the maximum number of licenses for tattoo and body art establishments in accordance with Chapter 25, Article XI "Tattoo and Body Art Establishments".
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, R25-113 increased the number of tattoo and body art licenses from five (5) to six (6); and
WHEREAS, that license owner closed their business and a new owner wishes to occupy the same location; and
WHEREAS, once approved, the number of tattoo and body art licenses will again remain at six (6)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: in accordance with section 25-266(d) "License Required; Limit on Number Issued" of Chapter 25, Article XI Tattoo and Body Art Establishments, the number of licenses available is hereby set at six (6).