Belvidere massage business opens as City Council considers mandatory business licenses -...

[massage]

Susan Vela Staff writer @susanvela
BELVIDERE — Several weeks ago, a neon sign began flashing “open” and advertising massages for sale at 404 S. State St., the former site of a massage parlor raided in September.

Some community members immediately feared the business would result in prostitution and Massage Licensing Act violations similar to those that led to 14 arrests last fall.

They couldn't quash their fears despite certificates on the walls showing owner Fengyun Peng is licensed through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to practice massage therapy.

Peng, who could not be reached for comment, also voluntarily completed a city business registration form that lists her business’ name as Good Luck Nails.

Hub Barber Shop owner Jim Emanuel is a few doors down. He wants the city to have the ability to shut down Good Luck Nails if criminal activity is suspected.

“‘It’s completely on the up and up,’” Emanuel said one of his employees told him of the new massage business. “(But) that’s just not the kind of business they want in downtown Belvidere.”

Aldermen are to vote at the 7 p.m. city council meeting Monday on an ordinance that would require licenses of any establishment wanting to “operate, conduct or engage in any business” within the city. The license is free. City officials could revoke or suspend the business license and shut down any operation suspected of criminal activity.

Belvidere leaders proposed the ordinance after city police officers, Boone County Sheriff’s deputies and Illinois State Police troopers arrested 14 people last year after raiding Royal Oriental Massage, where the new massage business is; C’est La Vie Health Spa & Modeling, 401 S. State St.; Spa Tui-Na, 120 N. State St.; and Executive Relaxation Station, 134 N. State St. At least one of the massage parlors — C’est La Vie — had been open for decades.

Operating without a valid business license could mean potential fines up to $500. For now, business registration is voluntary.

Mayor Mike Chamberlain said the goal of the ordinance is to put more bite into the city’s code when it comes to businesses conducting criminal conduct.

“We have a problem here that I’ve been asked to solve,” he said. “We shut them all down and now they’re springing back up again. Why can’t we do something about this?”

He’s not sure what will happen if the ordinance isn't approved. If massage businesses return, it would be up to law enforcers to stop any criminal activities, officials have said.

Aldermen have invited business owners to discussions about the proposed ordinance. Some said it is too general considering the city’s diverse business community. Others said business owners shouldn’t have a problem with mandatory licenses unless they’re up to no good.

Some board members remain uncertain how they’ll vote.

“I’m not ready to vote 'yes,'” said Ward 3 Alderwoman Wendy Frank, who would like city officials to ask for more than names of the businesses, their owners’ names, their addresses and phone numbers. “We need to get some more information that will hold up in court. That’s the whole reason we’re getting it so that it holds up in court.”

Marsha Freeman, the Ward 5 alderwoman, said she’s still not satisfied with the license application.

“There’s some language in it that I’m not happy with,” she said, though she didn't go into detail.

“I do believe we need a business registration,” she said. “I think we’re going to discuss more at the upcoming meeting, maybe get some of the language changed. Then, I’ll probably vote 'yes.'”

Susan Vela: 815-987-1392; svela@rrstar.com; @susanvela

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