Massage therapist, City of Decatur team up to change local legislation - MSN

[Jared Thomas]

DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The City of Decatur and a professional massage therapist have been working together to craft Decatur’s legislation, aimed at making the massage business safer for everyone.


They focused on changing the document’s language, like removing the word parlor, making sure businesses have a two year license and more.

Decatur approves changes to massage parlors, lift assists, home rehabs

Decatur Wellness Collective Director Alyssa Swengel said the previous ordinance was written as if everyone worked in a big spa setting. Swengel and city representatives went through each line on the document, rewriting different rules that’ll protect solo practitioners from having to move facilities.

“I’m the biggest employer of massage therapists in Decatur. So, it affects me directly. I mean I feel good about it,” Swengel said. “I feel like I had a really good experience with City Council and with the lawyers there, which I never engaged politically with City Council so I wasn’t sure that would be the case. But, I wouldn’t hesitate to send an email or call a councilman.”

PREVIOUSLY: Decatur City Council tables massage parlor ordinance discussion

Swengel said she’s been a licensed massage therapist for 15 years. There are a few different areas that are exempt from the rules. Those include athletic programs, educational institutions, medical facilities, and more. City Council said since the ordinance was approved on Monday, they want establishments to reach out in the next few weeks to get their licensing process started. You can find out more about the process here.

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