Illicit Massage Businesses Raided in Chicago

Federal and local law enforcement raided two massage businesses on the same street in Brighton Park last month. Two people were arrested and accused of running a prostitution operation out of a massage business front.

The first raid took place after a worker approached a boy as he was passing the property. The second, down the street, occurred right next to Ald. Julia Ramirez's (12th) office.

On today’s podcast, we speak with Ramirez on how these illicit businesses operate, how she and other officials are working to protect the women inside them, and why there seem to be so many in the area.

Possible human trafficking: In the Brighton Park raids, law enforcement found that women inside may have been forced to work. But human trafficking within illicit massage businesses isn’t unique to Chicago. An estimated 9,000 illicit massage businesses operate in the country, with many targeting undocumented immigrant women through deceptive recruitment, debt bondage, intimidation, and other manipulation tactics.

How do they operate? While massage businesses do require a City of Chicago Massage license, it’s difficult to verify which are operating legally when just looking at a storefront. Often referred to as “massage parlors” or “massage spas,” these venues use the cover of legitimate bodywork and massage therapy to provide sexual acts to patrons.

• Landlord accountability: Ramirez says landlords need to be more diligent about who their commercial tenants are, what they intend to open, and whether they have the right licenses.

Not just in Brighton Park: Last month, Chicago Police and the Department of Buildings also shut down an alleged brothel operating out of a home in Bridgeport. Ramirez says she and Ald. Nicole Lee (11th) have discussed the illicit massage parlors in their wards and suspect there are many across the city.

See something suspicious? There are, of course, legitimate massage businesses in Chicago, so how do we know when it's a front? Illicit massage parlors are often noticeably popular. Patrons may frequent them at all hours, including late at night.

• Got tips? You can anonymously text tips to TXT2TIP; text the word CPD along with your tip to 274637; or text CPDTip to 738477, then utilize the response link. You can also submit anonymously online through the Chicago Police Department’s form.