CHICAGO (WBBM) - Chicago aldermen have given preliminary approval to a measure that might allow some convicted felons to operate massage parlors.WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports.
The ordinance approved by the City Council licensing committee would still bar anyone convicted of sex crimes from running a massage business. But, those with old convictions for unrelated crimes could prove they are rehabilitated and get an okay.
Ald. Helen Shiller knows of someone with a shoplifting record who was denied a license.
Lt. Eve Gushes, head of Police Vice Control, still has some misgivings. She says the intimate nature of the massage act itself, and the prevalence of criminal activity in the industry, make it important to protect the public and the women who are often exploited.
But Gushes acknowledges the safeguards and says police will enforce whatever laws the aldermen pass.
I truly believe Shiller lives in an alternative bizzaro universe. Wrong is right. Beauty is ugly. Peace is War.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile back in the 46th Ward............
Could she get anymore seedy?
ReplyDeleteIf you turned in a Hollywood script about an alderclown that shields crime, mocks middleclass families' safety and styles herself as the original ghetto queen - it'd be considered too ridiculous.
What an embarasssment that Steans, Harris and Schulter have to come in and clean up her mess.
Maybe Helen can get on the massage table and test drive all the felons prior to unleashing them on the community - make herself of some use.
Now THIS she'll take a stand on...
ReplyDeleteMurder right in front of her office? Silence.
Bullets fired across Wilson Avenue at 3 p.m.? Silence.
Drug and weapon arrests on Sunnyside Mall? Silence.
But plastic bead bags, Uptown a nuclear-free zone, and felons getting massage parlors... THOSE she'll talk about all day.
"Ald. Helen Shiller knows of someone with a shoplifting record who was denied a license."
ReplyDeleteNotice it says "record", not "charge" or "conviction" ... "record".
Granted, folks do deserve a second chance and all of that, how 'bout we concentrate on helping law abiding citizens get their first chance, instead?
Still, I'll give her credit for taking the time to unlatch her talons from the top of the cave to swoop in and stand up for those who willfully steal from legitimate businesses.
Amidst the over-abundance of gang-infested public housing, meth clinics, loitering ex-cons, the meandering, untreated mentally ill and urban blight, the one thing that would would perk up this ward is a massage parlor.
Oy.
Must I constantly be forced to lower the achievement bar for Alderman Shiller?
ReplyDeleteI'm running out of space between the bar and the floor.
At what point can an "elected" official be deemed so incompetent at their job that they can be taken out of office? Oh wait, Bush has been in office for 8 years, CRAP! Would the 46th ward have to file a law suit against our Alderman for ignoring her Constituents and working as hard as she can to create a breading ground for crime. What kind of money trail would we find?
ReplyDeleteAt this rate I wouldn't be surprised if she had a special bank account in the Caymans where she deposits her money from crooked developers, gang leaders, and other shady back room deals. What else would make an Alderman try so hard to keep what could be a thriving safe community a slum? The answer my friends is MONEY!!!!
It sucks to be part of a ward where good people are considered evil and criminals are not only protected but thrive. WTF!!! Bizzaro Universe indeed!
soul of m.h. said, "Must I constantly be forced to lower the achievement bar for Alderman Shiller?
ReplyDeleteI'm running out of space between the bar and the floor."
No worries, there'll be plenty of space. Helen's sure to find the trap door.
Would prostitution be considered a felony offense? Just askin'
ReplyDeleteI can see it now:
Felonious Joe's
Massage Parlor
"Where lovely lucious ladies really lean into their work"
Conveniently located at Broadway & Montrose, right across the street from Target and the Helen Shiller low income business incubator. (aka: Flea Market)
Two for one discount with every Link Card purchase. We also accept medicare physical therapy claims. VIP entrance in the back door. Gourmet coffee, juices and lap dance while you wait.
Tell 'em Helen sent you for the daily "special" service.
We ain't called Felonious Joes for nothin'. Every customer leaves fully satisfied!
________
By the way, Alderman Shiller has organized an outdoor flea market August 2nd at Clarendon Park:
Alderman Helen Shiller's 1st Annual Flea Market
Yes, the old no NFIMBY argument, thus further adding to the difficulties faced by felons (who've paid their debt) in their attempts to reintegrate into society and this so-called democracy. In some states, they can no longer vote or hold public office. Perhaps we should just ship them all to Australia.
ReplyDeleteWait...
At an event last night I spoke with someone from the American Message Therapists Association and informed him of Shiller's plans. He was aghast, and said she was "crazy". I understand that non-violent criminals absolutely have the right to reintegrate and become responsible, productive citizens, but this ban seems to be a good idea to me, given, as they say, the intimate nature of the peocedure.
ReplyDeleteMore about the AMTA an legislation at http://www.amtamassage.org/government/home.html
The point (and there was one) is that those who run or want to start an illigitimate business (prostitution, drug dealing, selling stolen goods, etc.) find much favor in our Alderman's efforts.
ReplyDeleteA few examples:
* Supporting a measure to make crack bags legal because beaders may be wrongly accused of selling crack. Not only does this keep the flow of crack bags coming into Chicago, but a small hair braiding place would be an excellent cover for selling crack. (not that anyone would do this)
* A low income small business incubator at Wilson Yard. Not that anyone would do this, but a flea market like this would be an ideal place to sell stolen goods and/or drugs.
* Street peddling that does not require permits. What better way to set up a "sales" area for drugs. Oh, you want some heroin? Take this item to the guy in the van in the alley and tell him I sent you. Thanks for your money and it is a pleasure doing business with you.
It's not about felons being asked to move to Austrailia. It's about dishonest people who find favor with our Alderman's efforts. There is a very big difference.
Dishonesty and interesting versions of the truth seem to be a recurring theme with Alderman Helen Shiller. We're often not dealing with reality when she is involved. People trust her word implicitly and get burned just about every time. She knows it and keeps doing it because she sees all of us as suckers. We all need to call her on that because dishonesty serves none of us, including felons who want to turn their lives around.
This massage parlor legislation is just one example of what Helen Shiller is all about. Ask yourself, "Why massage parlors?" She could have chosen from thousands of ideas to address felons reentering society. Ask yourself, why would she pick something that could lead so easily to an illigitimate business forming? What does that kind of legislation do the stigma already placed on felons being released from prison?
If you or someone you know is a felon or has a felony record, you should be disgusted with Alderman Shiller for this shameless publicity stunt that harms the cause of felons, setting them backward in their struggle, just for self promotion and a chance to advance her own bizzaro agenda. It's disgusting on so many levels, but sadly nothing new for our Alderman.
This just kills me!
ReplyDeleteI am a state licensed & certified clinical massage therapist. I went to school, had a criminal background check, had clinical rotations, took national boards, am part of the AMTA, & carry malpractice insurance. All of this so some jail bait (and an idiot of an Alderman) can ruin my profession?
Certified therapist go through all of this because we want to help people. Either by providing relaxation massage or as medical treatment.
This just shows a total lack of knowledge of what a therapist can do. Not done properly we can induce a stroke, cause pain, & make a condition worse.
It also puts a profession with many physical & medical benefits; in a bad light (aka prositutes)
Would Helen think of going to her local drug dealer rather then Walgreens to get her meds? So why inflict people with this? It's an insult to therapists & their clients.
Wow. That's all I can say. Wow. The fact that this woman has been granted the privledge of running a ward for more than 20 years blows my mind.
ReplyDeleteGiving ex-cons the opportunity to get something of a life back is one thing...(and sorry, if you broke the law, jail typically isn't the only punishment you can plan on dealing with. Sucks to be you, but perhaps you should of thought of that BEFORE breaking the law)...but to put ex-cons in a tiny, private room with naked people? I mean, REALLY? And Helen would expect that a reputable massage therapist (licensed, etc.) would hire someone like this?
Please, let's put a 'massage parlor' on my block. Perhaps it can go into the space next to the Labor Ready Building. Oh, I know! Let's also open up a gun cleaning shop next to that. That would be a GREAT job for ex-cons... and then we can also add on a beading shop. Lord knows we need to put all those little crack baggies to good use!
The level of absolute stupidity involved here is astounding.
No more astounding than her 20 years of re-election.
ReplyDelete(Oh btw, Walgreen's on Marine Dr. is looking for a part-time pharmacist.)