Hustler Club Sues Illinois City in Federal Court

LINCOLN PARK, Ill. — Backers of a proposed Hustler Club have filed a suit in U.S. District Court against the city of Lincoln Park this week, claiming that 3-year-old nudity laws make it impossible for them to operate.

The laws are "blatantly unconstitutional," according to attorney Brad Shafer, who represents club owners HDV-Lincoln Park and property owner Papalas Drive Development.

The plan for the club has been approved by city officials, but the chain is arguing that city ordinances outlaw all public nudity — although state laws allow topless dancing in establishments that serve alcohol.

Nude dancing reportedly occurs at Atlantis, another club in the city.

"The provisions don't permit anything — not full nudity, not topless — but they are not enforcing it," Shafer said.

City Council President Tom Murphy denied the law bans semi-nude dancing, saying that the law is intended to stop drugs and prostitution at adult clubs.

"The controls are not meant to stop a strip club from operating, because they have a right to do that" Murphy said. "We want to control elements that contribute to the poor image that many clubs portray in the community, I know [Hustler] thinks they are being picked on, but they are not."

A local religious group, The Lincoln Park Ministerial Association, issued a complaint to the state Liquor Control Commission last month asking it to decline any license for alcohol to any club or business around the church — including the Hustler Club.

"We're not naïve and think we can shut all these businesses down, but we do believe we can protect our homes and city from having it here," said Frank Julian, also a pastor with Faith Christian Assembly in Melvindale. "We are taking a stand it's a sin factory."

Hustler Clubs have had previous legal trouble in Michigan. Last year, the Detroit City Council refused to transfer a topless entertainment license to the club, leading to a legal fight that ended last August when a federal judge ruled that Detroit must rewrite its strip club regulations because the current ones are unconstitutional.

Attorney Shafer said developers are moving forward with the Lincoln Park Hustler Club.

"We're confident we'll prevail," he said.

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Nebraska AV Bill Moves Forward Despite Privacy, Free Speech Concerns

Nebraska’s unicameral Legislature has given first-round approval to LB 1092, the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Performers in Meta Blacklisting Lawsuit Seek to Preserve Antitrust Claims

Adult Performance Artists Guild board officers Alana Evans, Kelly Pierce and Ruby have informed a California court that, although they want to drop their lawsuit claiming that Meta conspired with OnlyFans to blacklist rival premium fan platforms’ talent, they may still pursue antitrust claims in the future.

Xgen Now Shipping ZOLO's 'Stroke Off' Collection

Xgen Products is now shipping the Stroke Off collection of 11 handheld strokers and four masturbators modeled after lifelike body parts.

Nobü Unveils 'Gyrä' Vibrating Grinding Pad

Nobü has introduced the new Gyrä vibrating grinding pad.

Orion Introduces New 3-Motor Vibrator From 'Sweet Smile' Line

Orion Wholesale has debuted the new three-motor RC G- & P-Spot Vibrator from its Sweet Smile line.

C1R Debuts 'Vers' Suction Dildo, Butt Plug

C1R has introduced its new Vers liquid silicone suction dildo and butt plug.

FSC, Co-Plaintiffs to Ask US Supreme Court to Review Constitutionality of Texas Age Verification Law

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) and its co-plaintiffs in the challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law have petitioned the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit to stay its recent decision upholding the law, because they intend to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to review the law’s constitutionality.

Blush Erotica, The Kinky Candle Company Partner for Branded Candle

Blush Erotica has partnered with The Kinky Candle Company for an official branded candle.

FSC Vows to Fight Florida Age Verification Law

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has issued a statement vowing to continue fighting Florida’s new age verification law, which was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday as part of a comprehensive bill targeting minors’ use of social media.

Kansas Republican Aims to Create New Bureaucracy to 'Investigate' Porn Websites

Republican state legislators succeeded Monday in moving forward Kansas’ version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists, despite serious concerns raised by House Democrats about the cost of establishing a new bureaucracy tasked with investigating websites for pornographic content.

Show More