Tanning salon operated by alleged rapist shut down by city

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The city of Chicago shut down a West Town tanning salon for operating without a valid business license, the same salon owned by Marc Winner who remains in jail after being charged in three rape cases.

City investigators said the business license expired earlier in May. The I-Team was there Friday afternoon when investigators from the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection slapped closed stickers on Soleil's front doors.

"They are not properly licensed so the law allows us to shut this business down for lack of a business license," said Maria Guerra Lapacek, Dept. of Business Affairs commissioner.

The salon has outstanding violations for not having proper permits for the awning. Tickets were also issued for problems with pricing labels.

"There was product that was being sold that wasn't properly price marked so we issued citations for those products," Lapacek said.

Residents did not want to speak on camera but say they are relieved the business is closed.

Alderman Danny Solis (25th Ward) says he has been receiving complaints about the salon for some time.

"They have called and they said this guy shouldn't be in business, he's danger to our community," Ald. Solis said.

Winner is charged with raping three women he met through the salon. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

"We know that the community wanted this place closed down, we wanted to help the community by doing that but however because of the legal constraints we had to wait the 10 days," Lapacek said.

"He can reapply but he'll never get a renewed license. Not only in my ward but I don't think anywhere in the city," Ald. Solis said.

The tanning salon will remained closed until there is a valid business license for the property. Winner will be back in court in two weeks.