Mokena holds businesses liable for unlicensed massage therapists - Chicago Tribune

[massage]

When it comes to getting a massage in Mokena, the village board wanted to ensure the "highest level of professionalism," Police Chief Steve Vaccaro said.

On Monday, the board approved an ordinance requiring business owners to insure their therapists are properly licensed through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations. The purpose is to protect public safety and maintain proper sanitary conditions, he said.

The ordinance became effective immediately after board approval.

But the Vaccaro said "we'll give them 90 days to insure they are in compliance."


There were similar ordinances in other Southland communities, including Tinley Park, Orland Park and Matteson, Vaccaro said.

Vaccaro told the board that the new ordinance would ensure proper screening of applicants wanting to work at massage businesses. In an interview, Vaccaro said that although the village's community development department has received "quite a few calls" in the past year from potential massage industry businesses, he did not suspect any of them to be unsavory or illegal.

"We've fielded numerous calls with regards to businesses, massage businesses, wanting to come into Mokena," the police chief said.

Erin Gallagher is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.


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