Jim DeRogatis Sounds Alarm on the Pending Promoter's Ordinance
Monday May 12, 2008
Chicago Sun-Times music critic Jim DeRogatis has alerted Chicagoans to a potential City Council ordinance that appears to be so excessive that it could cripple or close mainstay Chicago music outlets such as the Hideout, Buddy Guy's Legends, and Schuba's.
It is scheduled for a vote in City Council this Wednesday.
In a nutshell, the city seems poised to muck up the local music scene in a what appears to be a misguided response to the E2 nightclub tragedy that took 21 lives more than five years ago. Jim DeRogatis is all over this story (in a good way), but I think his interview with Alderman Eugene Schulter of the 47th ward and chair of the licensing committee is among the best for outlining the debate and what is at stake.
Learn more:
It is scheduled for a vote in City Council this Wednesday.
In a nutshell, the city seems poised to muck up the local music scene in a what appears to be a misguided response to the E2 nightclub tragedy that took 21 lives more than five years ago. Jim DeRogatis is all over this story (in a good way), but I think his interview with Alderman Eugene Schulter of the 47th ward and chair of the licensing committee is among the best for outlining the debate and what is at stake.
Learn more:
- Background Reading on the Ordinance by Jim DeRogatis
- Jim DeRogatis's Blog tracking the ordinance (and other music topics).
- Chicago Music Commission, a community group fighting the ordinance.
- Save Chicago Culture, an online petition and site set up to fight the ordinance.
- Find/contact your alderman.
Comments
Thankfully, this ordinance was tabled today. While it may rear its ugly head in the future, the independent music scene is safe for now. Huzzah!