A new tattoo studio is officially coming to downtown Joliet after the City Council voted 8-1 Tuesday night to approve a special use permit for tattoo artist Joseph Spillie to open a business inside the Crystal Square building at 81 North Chicago Street near the city’s growing City Square district.
Before the vote, council members spent several minutes discussing health regulations and oversight tied to tattoo businesses, particularly the handling and disposal of biohazard materials and used needles.
Councilman Larry Hug raised questions about who is responsible for monitoring those safety requirements.
“When it comes to the health-related issues, disposal needles, biohazard and stuff, does the city monitor this or does the county monitor it?” Hug asked during the meeting.
City officials clarified that tattoo businesses are regulated through the Will County Health Department, which oversees inspections and ensures businesses comply with health and disposal standards.
As discussion continued, Councilman Juan Moreno called Spillie forward to ask about his experience in the tattoo industry before expressing support for the proposal.
“This will be my sixth year of tattooing,” Spillie told the council. “I like to tell people I’ve been doing art for a lifetime. I’ve been drawing since I could hold a pencil.”
Moreno later acknowledged Spillie’s experience while emphasizing accountability and county oversight.
“I’m not going to penalize you because six years is quite some time for experience,” Moreno said. “My support comes with accountability.”
Spillie also addressed questions regarding the disposal of used needles and biohazard materials, explaining that the studio utilizes certified disposal services monitored through health department inspections.
“When the health department inspects me, they ask what I do with my needles and I give them the official company that comes and picks them up once a month,” Spillie said.
He added that all used needles are secured inside medical sharps containers until disposal.
“The sharps go in there and once they’re in there, they’re there to be contained,” Spillie said. “They’re never to be pulled out again.”
The new business adds to the growing mix of independent businesses continuing to reshape Joliet’s downtown City Square.
