Champaign, IL Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)

Article VIII of Chapter 5 governs "adult entertainment establishments," defined as any licensed premises featuring persons who appear nude or semi-nude or live performances emphasizing specified sexual activities. Section 5-103 bars patrons from appearing nude or semi-nude at all, limits performers to semi-nude only within a designated performance area, and flatly prohibits any specified sexual activity or "straddle dance" (a lap, table or face dance involving touching) between employees and patrons. Section 5-104 requires that no licensee serve or otherwise provide alcoholic liquor on any calendar day adult entertainment is provided, effectively forcing venues to choose between running the bar or running the show on a given day.

Section 5-105 sets physical operating standards: the performance area is limited to one or more cabaret stages permanently anchored to the floor, elevated above and separated from seating, with each stage set back at least five feet from areas patrons can reach and fronted by a continuous barrier at least two feet high located at least five feet from the stage; no patron may ever be on the stage or within that five-foot perimeter. Lighting must reach a minimum of 30 lux throughout public areas.

Tips cannot be handed directly to a performer on a cabaret stage; they must go into a receptacle provided by the establishment, and a two-foot-by-two-foot sign with one-inch letters must be posted at each stage stating the no-prohibited-conduct, no-direct-tipping and no-nudity rules. Section 5-106 bars anyone under 19 from the premises on any day adult entertainment is provided.