City officials say they're looking into Q2 Asian Massage - newschannel20.com

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill (WICS) — City officials said the city is looking into Q2 Asian Massage.

Thursday night we reported that with help from a NewsChannel 20 staffer, we were able to confirm Q2 Asian Massage was still open.

The city ordered Q2 Asian Massage and ten other massage parlors to shut down for violating a city ordinance.

Corporation Counsel Greg Moredock told me the city is looking into Q2 Asian Massage.

He told NewsChannel 20 several inspectors were sent out Friday morning to Q2. We were able to confirm the presence of a CWLP truck at Q2 Friday morning.

"We have housing inspectors that are making routine drive-bys at these locations. We also have zone managers doing that. That's during business hours. And then we also have police detail that are cruising by," Moredock said.

Moredock said the city would need proof that the business is still open to file a restraining order.

Moredock couldn't confirm if the city had checked with CWLP to see if electricity and water are still being used at Q2 spa.

Moredock says an inspector had driven past Q2 Asian Massage Thursday morning as well.

One massage parlor still operating even after the city of Springfield shut it down...could face consequences.

We confirmed Q2 Asian Massage is still open.

Now, NewsChannel 20 is breaking down what those consequences could be.

Springfield’s corporation counsel said the city has limited action they can take but will do everything they can to make sure businesses stay closed if they continue to violate the ordinance.

The city can fine businesses and take them to court over the ordinance violations.

"In staying open, what specific laws are these businesses breaking?" NewsChannel 20’s Emily Jordan asked.

"So they're breaking multiple city ordinances. One, they're violating our massage parlor ordinance, which allows a fine of up to 750 dollars per day that they do it. They're also violating our housing code by occupying a building that has been prohibited to be occupied by the city,” Moredock said.

He said if the city is able to prove a business is still open, they can call an emergency hearing.

“In addition if we go to circuit court and get one of those temporary restraining orders and they continue to try to violate it, say they use a different door or something, we can ask that they be held in contempt of court for continually violating court order,” Moredock said.

Moredock said they've filed a restraining order and changed the locks at Illinois Relax Spa and Cozy Cabin Spa last week.

And if they can prove Q2 is still open, Moredock said his office will take what action they can.

"Again, these are civil business violations. So we are limited in the recourse that we do have. / My office is not dealing with the criminal aspect of repeated violations. The only time jail could be issued would be contempt of court like what we talked about earlier for repeatedly ignoring a judges order,” Moredock said.

Moredock said all of the businesses are being summoned to court for their violations of the ordinance.

Moredock said fines can stack up to 50,000 dollars.

We reached out to the Springfield Police Department to see what action they could take against the massage parlors. We're still waiting on that response.

Several of the massage parlors first court date is set for March 26th at the city council chambers.