City of Springfield requests restraining order against two closed massage establishments - The State Journal-Register

[Claire Grant]

AI-assisted summary

Two Springfield massage parlors, Illinois Relax Spa and Cozy Cabin Spa, are facing further legal action from the city for operating without licenses.The city is seeking an emergency temporary restraining order to prohibit occupancy and use of the properties.These businesses were among 11 massage establishments shut down in Springfield for failing to obtain the required massage establishment licenses.
Two massage establishments previously closed in Springfield are having further action taken by the city to keep the doors locked.

Illinois Relax Spa and Cozy Cabin Spa on Sangamon Avenue, two of the 11 spas previously shut down by the city for failing to pass inspections for a massage establishment license, were found by the city to be operating without a license.

City of Springfield senior assistant to corporation counsel Michael Hampleman confirmed the city has requested an emergency temporary restraining order through the Sangamon County Circuit Court. The order would prohibit occupancy inside the location and any use of the space.

A hearing on the plenary restraining order to Illinois circuit courts is set for Feb. 28.

More:City of Springfield releases names of 11 massage parlors that were shut down

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Cozy Cabin and Illinois Relax have been under scrutiny alongside other spas like Q2 Asian Massage following a slew of closures on Jan. 31. City attorney Greg Moredock said on Feb. 17 the city was aware of the situation at Q2 and was keeping a watchful eye at the certain establishments.

“On the civil side we can’t get an injunction over the weekend,” Moredock said Feb. 17. “We are keeping an eye on that location and all the locations we have placards at.”

The businesses were closed due to a new ordinance requiring licenses to operate a massage location in the city. The new licensing process comes from community concerns about a rise in human trafficking and prostitution in the city of younger women from Asia being brought to the parlors. The regulation passed the city council last May and by June, inspections began being conducted.

What were the 11 establishments closed by the city?​

• Healthy Spa
• Capital Spa
• Cozy Cabin Spa
• Jade Spa
• Illinois Relax Spa
• Q2 Asian Massage
• Royal Massage
• Sunshine Massage/Providence Massage
• Sunflower Massage
• Red Bean Spa
• Fitness Massage

48 of the establishments were determined to be unlicensed from September to Dec. 21. After three rounds of letters from the city regarding inspection, three locations closed voluntarily.

Certain locations fall into municipal sections in Springfield known as donut holes with their own sets of ordinances, which may not reflect the same massage establishment licenses Springfield passed.

Claire Grant writes about business, growth and development and other news topics for The State Journal-Register. She can be reached at CLGrant@gannett.com; and on X (Formerly known as Twitter): @Claire_Granted