Public outcry in Oakwood, Ill., over plans for an adult-entertainment facility just outside city limits has prompted a new state law prohibiting adult stores from opening within 3,000 feet of schools, churches and other public places.

The law, which was co-sponsored by state Sen. Rick Winkel, R-Champaign, and state Rep. Bill Black, R-Danville, came in response to complaints that the store was opening within sight of the front porch of a Methodist church. Oakwood is located about 25 miles east of Champaign.

Marilyn Brewer, the pastor of the church, said she was thrilled with the law.

“I was delighted with Bill Black for bringing in the legislation and the speed with which it was passed,” Brewer said. “Stores like that are not something you want in the community, and fixing it with the legislation was a brilliant idea.”

The prior county code imposed a small buffer zone between adult stores and public places, but legislators felt it needed to be increased.

“Adult-entertainment facilities are not the kind of businesses that should be located in close proximity to schools and churches,” Winkel said in a press release. “The current mandatory setback for adult-entertainment centers is 1,000 feet. We think 3,000 feet is more reasonable.”

Raven Stewart, manager of the Illini Arcade, an adult store in Champaign, said she agreed with the law.

“I think that it’s probably a good idea, especially as far as schools are concerned,” Stewart said. “The vast majority of the people that come to our type of store are very nice, good people, but there is a very small portion, 1 or 2 percent, that might prey on kids. The last thing we need is more milk cartons.”

However, Stewart said she disagreed with the circumstances behind the law’s creation.

“As far as a church, though, it’s not that big of a deal,” Stewart said. “They created the law for the wrong reasons. The store was off of a highway, not in the town.

“What people do on their own time with their own body parts, that’s their business. There’s no reason to bother them.”

Because the new law permits existing adult stores to remain in place, it has not been determined whether it was passed in time to prevent the Oakwood store from opening. When the law was signed, the building had already been erected, but its use had not yet been declared.

“I’m very concerned about that,” Brewer said. “They’re still finishing the building and the work on it. We’re hoping that because they never officially declared what it was going to be, it will be stopped.”

The owner of the new store is listed as Frank M. Lipousky of Champaign. Lipousky, the former owner of the Illini Arcade and other businesses in the Champaign area, has refused to comment on the issue.

Stewart said opening a store near a public place would not be ideal anyway.

“After all,” Stewart said. “Who wants to walk out of a porn store and see their daughter coming out of school next door?”