Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe MCHENRY, Ill., Aug. 21 (UPI) -- The northern Illinois town of McHenry has banned local businesses from using costumed mascots outside their stores to attract customers. "We think it's a distraction to drivers," Joseph Napolitano, McHenry director of community development told the Chicago Tribune. He said there had also been complaints about noise when people drive by and honk at the mascots. Advertisement City officials consider the mascots to be "moving signs" that can be regulated, and fines for violating the ordinance can cost businesses $50 to $750 a day. That ended the jobs of several people who earned $9 an hour to dress up as Lady Liberty for the Liberty Tax Service and Mattress Man, the baby blue mascot of the Verlo Mattress Factory, which is used in all 60 franchises in nine states. However, McHenry's Verlo franchise owner, Ray Westman said the Mattress Man mascot will continue to attend charity events and has even kicked out the first ball for the Milwaukee Wave soccer team, the newspaper said.
