The City of Peoria has initiated legal action against Elliott's on North University Street, alleging the men's club is using an adjacent building as a dressing room for its dancers, a practice the city claims violates a ten-year agreement prohibiting adult club use of that specific property. This lawsuit emerges amidst other legal and regulatory challenges facing adult entertainment venues in the Peoria area, including the indefinite suspension of Big Al’s Speakeasy’s liquor license and a federal lawsuit against Club Cabaret concerning minimum wage violations.

City Alleges Breach of Agreement at Elliott's

The lawsuit filed by the City of Peoria against Elliott's on North University Street centers on the club's alleged use of a neighboring building. According to the city, this building is being utilized as a dressing room for the club's dancers. The city contends that this activity contravenes an existing agreement between the city and Elliott's owners, which explicitly banned any adult club use of that part of the property for a decade. The City of Peoria issued a statement indicating its intent to pursue the case in court and not through the press, declining further comment on the matter.

Big Al’s Speakeasy Shuttered Amid Public Safety Concerns

In a separate development, Big Al’s Speakeasy, located on Southwest Jefferson Avenue, has been closed indefinitely. Peoria Mayor Rita Ali, who also serves as the city’s liquor commissioner, confirmed the business's closure on a Friday afternoon, citing an "indefinite suspension" of its liquor license. This decision resulted from an agreement with the current owner, Kenneth Kummerow. Mayor Ali stated that her decision was based on "too many significant events" at the strip club, which created a "public safety concern." She emphasized her responsibility to make decisions based on the safety and well-being of community members.

Under the terms of the agreement with the city, Kummerow is required to relinquish ownership of Big Al’s Speakeasy and plead guilty to a charge of illegal activities at the establishment. He is also tasked with identifying a new owner who must secure approval from the city council. At-Large City Council Member Bernice Gordon-Young commented on the situation, stating, "We want to draw businesses to Peoria, we want to maintain, we want to grow establishments." Gordon-Young acknowledged Big Al’s as a "staple for 50 years," bringing entertainment and visitors to Peoria. She expressed optimism that the club would "bounce back from this unfortunate incident." While Big Al’s remains under Kummerow’s ownership, he is obligated to pay a monthly fine of $3,000. A notice posted on the front door of Big Al’s informs patrons of its closure but directs them to its sister location, The Pony, off University Street.

Federal Lawsuit Alleges Wage Violations at Club Cabaret

Another Peoria-area adult entertainment venue, Club Cabaret in Creve Coeur, is facing a federal lawsuit filed by an exotic dancer. Leigha Woods initiated the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Peoria, alleging that the business is in violation of state and federal labor laws by not paying her a minimum wage. Woods is seeking class-action status for the lawsuit, which could potentially include approximately 100 other dancers at Club Cabaret.

The lawsuit claims that dancers at Club Cabaret are treated as employees rather than "independent contractors" because the club controls various aspects of their work environment. These controls allegedly include requiring dancers to pay a nightly "house fee" to perform on stage and imposing fines for not adhering to club rules, such as chewing gum on stage or not smiling while performing. Furthermore, the lawsuit asserts that the club dictates what dancers can charge for dances, what they can wear, and their work schedules.

Key Facts

  • The City of Peoria has sued Elliott's on North University Street over the alleged use of an adjacent building as a dancer dressing room, which the city claims violates a ten-year agreement.
  • Peoria Mayor Rita Ali, also the city's liquor commissioner, indefinitely suspended the liquor license for Big Al’s Speakeasy on Southwest Jefferson Avenue due to "public safety concerns."
  • Big Al’s owner, Kenneth Kummerow, must relinquish ownership, plead guilty to illegal activities, and find a new owner for city council approval, while paying a $3,000 monthly fine until a new owner is found.
  • An exotic dancer, Leigha Woods, filed a federal lawsuit against Club Cabaret in Creve Coeur, alleging violations of state and federal labor laws for not paying minimum wage.
  • The lawsuit against Club Cabaret seeks class-action status for approximately 100 dancers and claims the club controls dancers' work, including house fees, fines, dance pricing, attire, and schedules.
  • Big Al's Speakeasy, a "staple for 50 years," is directing patrons to its sister location, The Pony, off University Street.