Village To Vote on Law Requiring Licensing of Massage Establishments

Next week the Algonquin village board will vote to adopt an ordinance that would require massage establishments to be licensed by the village.

The way the law stands, the state licenses and regulates massage therapists but does not regulate massage establishments.

“We had complaints concerning illegal activity at a couple of establishments where we made arrests,” said Algonquin Police Chief Russell Laine.

If the ordinance passes on Tuesday, the village manager will have the authority to shut down an establishment that is in violation of the law, something the village was unable to do in the past.

Among many provisions, the law states that no massage therapist, employee, or licensee shall perform, offer, or agree to perform any act, which shall require the touching of a client’s sexual or genital area. Violators will receive a minimum fine of $1,000.

Massage establishments will have to meet various standards to receive a license and will have to pay an annual fee of $250.

The village board is expected to vote on this at its May 3 meeting.