Mount Prospect sets new rules for massage therapists

Area massage therapists were concerned earlier this year when the Mount Prospect village board, in an effort to protect legitimate businesses while cracking down on questionable operations, revisited its ordinance regulating their practice.

But with the help of area professionals, village officials massaged the regulations and came up with an ordinance Tuesday that seemed to address both sides’ concerns.

Assistant Village Manager David Strahl said the village had extensive discussions with message therapy businesses in the community, as well as representatives from the state association for massage therapy, while crafting the ordinance.

“I think these discussions were very fruitful,” he said. “Through these meetings, we have a better product.”

Under the new ordinance, the village requires all massage therapists working in Mount Prospect to obtain a license costing $250 the first year and $100 each subsequent year. It also sets fines of between $500 and $1,000 for any violations of the ordinance and sets rules for the display and availability of licenses for inspection.

Tracy Smodilla, a Bartlett massage therapist who is active as an advocate for the profession, thanked Strahl, Police Chief John Dahlberg and Village Attorney Everette Hill for working closely with therapists to develop an ordinance that maintains their rights while also addressing concerns about illicit activities.

She said the original ordinance was “rather overarching,” governing everything from who could operate a massage therapy establishment to, in some cases, altering the scope of a massage therapist’s practice. It also imposed “some pretty substantial licensing fees,” she said, referring the initial plan to charge $1,000 for a license.

“A lot of times, government does not know everything about every business that lies within our boundaries when we try to accomplish our goals,” Trustee Steven Polit said the public-private cooperation. “The more people that get involved, the more input that we have, the better the product is that’s developed.”