The Massage Pundit

Yesterday when I posted A Few Steps Forward, A Few Steps Back, I wasn’t counting on having to back up and punt, but unfortunately I have to do so in the form of a correction. A few months ago, when I started reporting on the zoning ordinance in Chicago, I had been checking their legislative updates and apparently looking in the wrong place.

This morning, two Chicago therapists have contacted me to let me know that the dreaded zoning ordinance, which was tabled in May, slid into home plate on June 9th in a move that blindsided everyone. Apparently it has also escaped AMTA’s and ABMP’s attention, as their legislative updates don’t mention it, either–two places I often look for verification when it comes to checking on what’s coming down the legislative pike.

Title 17 of the Municipal Code of the City of Chicago was amended to prohibit massage establishments from the same areas zoned for business that hairdressers, barbershops, and nail salons are allowed to be in. Why have we been singled out in this manner, and honest hard-working massage therapists relegated to areas zoned for heavy commercial and industrial use? Are hairdressers and nail technicians more moral and law-abiding than most massage therapists?

This is pathetic. This zoning change was sponsored by Ray Suarez, Alderman in the 31st Ward, and the vote was 30-8 in favor of the ordinance, with 11 members not voting. You can read the list here.

It is my fondest hope that EVERY massage therapist in the city of Chicago checks to see how your Alderman voted, and vote them right on out. Contact them to express your extreme displeasure at the way they are discriminating against massage therapists and let them now you’ll be expressing that when they need your support.