Chicago, don't take away our music!

This Wednesday, the Chicago City Council will vote to approve an ordinance that will completely damage  Chicago’s thriving music scene.  This is UNACCEPTABLE.

I have lived in the Chicago area for the past 11 years and do you know what brought me here?  The MUSIC and ARTS scene.  Had it not been for places like The Fireside Bowl (referencing Wikipedia, where my husband's old band is actually listed), The Empty Bottle, The Double Door, Schubas (where we take our toddler to see family-friendly matinée shows with bands like The Terrible Twos), Metro and so on.  Oddly enough, I posted about the music and venues I love right around this time last year.  Honestly, I probably would not have met my husband it weren't for our love of music and the venues mentioned above.  I have spent countless nights congregating at these establishments and never once have I felt like I was in any danger.  The staff at these venues obviously care very much about the people in attendance and take every precaution to ensure everyone's safety.  I know this first-hand.

Imagine this wonderfully diverse city without theater and music at smaller venues.  This is what it has come down to.  The proposal has already been approved by the City Council Committee, without giving ample time for the music community to respond.

In a nutshell, here are the details of the proposed ordinance:

The “Event Promoters” ordinance requires any event promoter (DIY or otherwise) to have a license from the city of Chicago and liability insurance of $300,000.  The definition of “event promoter” is so loosely defined that it could apply to a band that books its own shows or a teenage kid trying to get his favorite band into town.  The “event promoter” must be licensed and will HAVE TO PAY $500 – $2000 depending on expected audience size.

For an event promoter to get the license, the applicant must be over 21, get fingerprinted, agree to a background check, among other ridiculous and unnecessary hurdles.

Smaller venues are being targeted and kids are more likely to go to these smaller venues.  What happens when these places close down?  Our kids will be on the streets doing God knows what.  I KNOW this because I was once one of these kids.  I looked forward to having somewhere to go, somewhere where the tickets are cheap and you can get up close and personal with the bands and artists.

If this ordinance passes, it will wipe out the diverse musical and cultural landscape here in Chicago. I cannot imagine Chicago without venues like Uncommon Ground, Beat Kitchen or The Empty Bottle.  This issue is very close to my heart and I believe that the Chicago City Council is making a HUGE mistake.  They obviously have little compassion for the kids who love to express themselves through art and music.

Please visit Chicago music critic, Jim DeRogatis’ blog on the Chicago Sun Times to learn more about this asinine ordinance and if you feel the need to act upon this, a petition can be found HERE.

 

Read what others are saying about this issue here, here, here, here, here, here and here (to name a few).  Find your alderman here and speak your mind!

This makes me feel ill and breaks my heart.  We need to act fast on this one.  Don't take away our music venues!

Original Chicago Moms Blog Post

Comments

[To Think Is To Create]

This should not even be an issue, I want to know whose pockets are being lined with this? Seriously?

So sad!

[Liz]

I don't get it? Why are they doing this? I hope this doesn't happen.

[Sarah-Ji]

I, too, was horrified when I learned of this. Although my Alderman (Joe Moore) will be voting NO on this, I've asked him to also please urge his colleagues to rethink this. I first laid eyes on my husband as he set up his drumkit at the Empty Bottle, and our daughter has accompanied us to shows at Schubas and the Beat Kitchen. I cannot imagine life in Chicago without the vibrant indie music scene.

They say that this ordinance is to address the E2 Nightclub disaster from a few years back, but putting a measure up for vote without any input from the community and taxpayers it will affect is utterly irresponsible authoritarian governance.

Contact your alderman, and it wouldn't hurt to also contact Alderman Eugene Schulter (47th ward) who is the chair of this committee. If you live in the suburbs and frequent shows in the city, contact Schulter and let him know that the City will lose out on your patronage.
Eugene Schulter's contact:
773-348-8400 phone (ask for Beth, his policy advisor)
773-348-8480 fax

[Theresa Carter]

WE DID IT!!!!

They've pulled the ordinance. They're still going to do some research, but this time the entertainment community will have some input.

Congratulations to everyone who signed the petition, called their Aldermen, posted blogs (like this one - thanks!) and comments and spread the word.