Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
Madison County updates body‑art ordinance to match state code, adds sterilization and permitting rules
Loading...
Summary
The County Board adopted Ordinance 2020‑03 to align the county body‑art code with Illinois Public Health code Part 797, adding detailed definitions, operator/establishment permits, autoclave and sterilization standards, monthly spore testing and penalties for violations.
Madison County adopted an amendment (Ordinance 2020‑03) to Chapter 77 of the county code to bring the county body‑art ordinance into conformity with the Illinois Department of Public Health Body Art Code (77 Ill. Adm. Code Part 797).
The ordinance adds a comprehensive set of definitions and clarifications for body art activities (tattooing, piercing, permanent cosmetics), requires establishment permits and annual operator permits, and sets operator minimum age (18). It requires written client records, retention of material certificates for jewelry, and strict single‑use rules for items such as needles and ink cups. Reusable instruments must be cleaned, pass ultrasonic cleaning, be packaged and sterilized in an autoclave, and facilities that use reusable instruments must maintain a sterilization room. The ordinance requires monthly independent spore‑destruction testing of autoclaves and establishes recordkeeping requirements for autoclave testing and inventory of instruments and materials for three years.
Public‑health guardrails were emphasized: no tattooing of persons under 18, written parental consent for oral piercings for minors and a prohibition on non–medical tongue splitting. The ordinance prescribes permit fees (operator $50/year; guest operator $20; establishment permit $0) and penalties for violations (up to $500 per offense per day under county statute authority). Physicians performing body art as a medical procedure and single‑use pre‑sterilized ear‑piercing systems (for lobes only) are explicitly exempted.
Why this matters: The ordinance sets enforceable infection‑control standards for body‑art businesses operating in Madison County and clarifies permitting, inspection and penalty processes to protect public health. The changes are extensive and translate state public‑health rules into local enforcement requirements.
The measure passed by unanimous recorded roll call in the meeting minutes; the ordinance text and definitions were entered into the record.