Last week, on August 14, 2025, the Kane County Liquor Control Commission was scheduled to vote again on whether to allow Blackjack's Strip Club to serve alcohol. This was the second consideration in less than two months after Blackjacks was initially denied their initial request in June.
Blackjacks Gentleman's Club, owned by Anthony Buttitta (per the
State of Illinois Business Entity Lookup), through its attorney, approached the liquor commission a second time to request a license to serve alcohol despite the prior denial. The request was less than two months after its initial denial when the board initially denied Blackjacks (liquor control meeting) on June 25, 2025.
But last Thursday (August 14), Corinne referenced Kane County Speaks (KCS) and opines that she felt that KCS was threatening (see the 41:30 mark of the broadcast). The original KCS
article, published on August 10, suggests that if Dale Berman changed his vote in order to allow Blackjack's to obtain a liquor license, in less that two months, it's reasonable to consider that someone "got to" him and made him an offer that he couldn't refuse. Is that the only reason Mr. Berman would change his vote? No, but it's plausible and fair to ask the question of Pierog. Berman, to his credit, stood strong and stated that he would not change his vote.
Another speaker at that meeting referenced a chat room where solicitation and other illegal activities were allegedly offered at Blackjacks (See the 34:30 mark of the meeting). The State's Attorney's Office, led by Jamie Mosser, should look into and investigate further if illegal activities are being procured there.
Perhaps Blackjack's should be criminally investigated under illegal solicitation (see the
Illinois Statute on solicitation). An honest and in-depth investigation by Kane County State's Office would reinforce the integrity of the State's Attorney's office, protect women in Kane County, and perhaps identify human trafficking. State's Attorney Mosser has pledged to fight human trafficking in Kane County.
The bigger issue is with Kane County Board Chair, Corinne Pierog. According to Illinois Sunshine, Corinne Pierog has received campaign money from the owners (A & D LLC) of
Blackjack's in May of 2024. There may have been other instances as well. While Pierog opines about threats that don't exist, perhaps it's for public posturing. Pierog fails to mention her relationship with the owner(s) or publicly acknowledge any monies she received from the owners of Blackjacks, directly and indirectly. Nor does she ever discuss what, if any, conversations that she's had with the owners of Blackjacks, Buttitta(s), or anyone connected with them, or their attorneys or representatives. A bigger question might be why hasn't she given the money back? Not a good move by Pierog.
Pierog seems to have more interest in defending Blackjacks and her donors rather than defending the women who are exploited in this industry. At the liquor commission, Pierog tries to justify granting Blackjacks a license by contrasting with other things she perhaps thinks are worse. She states that "other things that are worse like nude horseback riding." If Pierog really wanted to protect the women in Kane County, she would approach the State's Attorney's office and request that an investigation is immediately conducted as to how Blackjacks operates and treats the women who work for the establishment. Pierog thinks that Blackjacks isn't a concern because they offer a 401K to the nude dancers. To hear her speak, a listener can only come to the conclusion that she needs to get this through for Blackjacks and the owners, or she's that detached from reality.
Pierog fails to see the harm that porn does to women and to men.
See X for a great post that addresses how porn affects men and women, including how it abuses women and desensitizes men.
Pierog needs to shut down her relationship with Buttitta. Further, she should return all money that she received, directly or indirectly. She needs to recuse herself from any vote that involves Blackjacks, or Buttitta, and or their reps. And she needs to become a strong advocate for women.
It would be foolish not to think that Buttitta and his attorneys aren't regrouping for a third approach. It "appears" that Pierog is somehow indebted to Buttitta or Blackjacks. Perhaps she will circumvent the Liquor Commission. Perhaps she'll just take the matter to the committee as a whole.
But if Kane County is going to take a stance against human trafficking, it starts by protecting the women in Kane County. The State's Attorney's office needs to look into the allegations made about the services "offered" at Blackjacks.
The women and families in Kane County are counting on better. To the State's Attorney's office, if Pierog won't protect the women in Kane County, please initiate a criminal investigation into Blackjacks. It's the next step in preventing human trafficking and showing a true commitment to protecting the women of Kane.
While Pierog tries to sell perceived threats, its the women in Kane County who should feel threatened by Pierog's lack of concern for the women of Kane
