Aldermen have decided not to amend the city’s zoning ordinance for adult entertainment centers, saying the citizens of Oak Forest do not want the change.
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The proposed zoning ordinance would have restricted adult entertainment centers to the city’s three manufacturing districts.
But the City Council, going along with the Plan Commission’s recommendation, said that to change the zoning would legitimize sexually oriented businesses and invite them to Oak Forest.
Aldermen Frank Smith and Don Burns lashed out at the Oak Forest Police Department, saying if it were enforcing laws, the city would not face the problem of alleged prostitution at Fins Night Club, 5200 W. 159th St. The club, which sparked the zoning issue, also has been accused of having lingerie shows and allowing minors to drink liquor on the premises.
Police Chief David Griffin said Wednesday that the Police Department has been handling that situtation according to the law and following the advice of the city attorney.
“Fins will be closed but according to legal procedures,” Griffin said.
In May, police charged owners at three bars with liquor license violations after they allegedly conducted lingerie shows. Two of the bars allegedly discontinued the shows, but Fins’ owners took the city to court, arguing its right to freedom of expression had been violated.
Oak Forest attempted to shut down the nightclub, but Fins’ owners got an injunction against being closed down, pending court challenges.
In the meantime, Cook County Circuit Judge Aaron Jaffe said Oak Forest can conduct a hearing on liquor license violations dealing with prostitution and minors on the premises.