Massage parlors will have to register with Springfield after the vote

Lina PortmanJune 5, 2024

0 2 minutes read

The Springfield City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Tuesday requiring massage parlors to register with the city, but not before it was moved from the consent agenda to the agenda day of the debate to allow for public comment.

The ordinance, drafted after one passed by the village of Chatham several years ago, also requires proof of licensure from the state of Illinois for the parlor's massage therapists.

“It's ultimately about making everyone safer: the people who get massages, the people who are going to get massages, and the neighborhoods where massage establishments exist,” insisted Ald. Jennifer Notariano, who has a number of salons in her downtown Ward 6 area.

More:Massage parlor ordinance to be voted on in Springfield amid human trafficking concerns

City Council members raised concerns about suspected human trafficking and prostitution when Springfield police raided two massage parlors in the 500 block of South Grand Avenue West in April, acting on tips from Crimestoppers and information from neighbors in the area.

Springfield police also worked with the FBI in another case earlier this year.

City Attorney Gregory Moredock, who was then working at a private law firm in Springfield when he helped write an ordinance on Chatham massage parlors, said fines could range from $250 $ to $750 per violation per day for salons operating without a license.

Additionally, the city would have the ability to prohibit occupancy of any building used in violation of the ordinance, Moredock said.

David Baker, who lives in Hawthorne Place near where the massage parlors were raided, said he believes the ordinance is a first step toward shutting down the illegitimate establishments.

“But I also urge young women who work in salons to get help,” Baker said. “They are victims.”

Baker, in the public comments section, said her own daughter was a victim of sex trafficking as a teenager in Springfield, but that she cooperated with investigating authorities to help put her trafficker in prison.

Mike Otken, also speaking during the public comment section, said the city is trying to push people out of business.

Otken said he was married to a Chinese massage therapist.

“I find it disgusting that everyone wants to say they’re all doing something wrong,” he said. “I have two nieces who work here (in the trade). They have never had a problem in nine years.”

Recognizing that there are professional salons that provide the necessary services, Ward 8 Ald. Erin Conley insisted the order does not “target anyone, regardless of nationality.”

“We don't mention nationality. It's not gender specific. It's industry specific. We conducted a federal investigation in this community that revealed a significant number of crimes going on in our community and here is our response to this.”

Notoriano said that while some salon owners might stop moving to the county or other jurisdictions, registration provides a safety net for the city.

“It would be an absolute nightmare and I don’t know how any of us could sleep at night knowing that young women are being forced to have sex in order to earn money for someone else.” , said Notariano. “We certainly don’t want this to happen in the city of Springfield.”

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; [email protected] ; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

Lina Portman

Related Articles

WHMI 93.5 FM Radio Station — Livingston County, Michigan News, Weather, Traffic, Sports, School Updates and the Best Classic Hits

Summit County sheriff's officer takes oath before class of 14 new deputies

Former Miami police officer sentenced to more than 11 years in prison for attempted cocaine trafficking and attempted extortion under the Hobbs Act

Suspect arrested in June 1 stabbing in Krutch Park, Knoxville, Tennessee, police say