Tomorrow, the city council votes on an ordinance requiring anyone organizing a concert of any scale, at any (already) licensed venue, to be a licensed promoter. This is very dangerous to Chicago's rich music scene, and to the arts in Chicago in general.
The definition of “event promoter†is so loosely defined 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 pay $500 – $2000 depending on expected audience size.
To get the license, applicant must be over 21, get fingerprinted, submit to a background check, and jump over several other hurdles.
This proposed ordinance seems targeted towards smaller venues, since those with 500+ permanent seats are exempt.
These issues have been tirelessly highlighted by Jim DeRogatis at the Sun Times. There are two interviews that are very much worth reading: Alderman Shulter and the Department of Business Affairs. Please, if you're in Chicago, sign the "Stop the promoter’s ordinance petition" and contact your alderman. via CYSTSFTS
UPDATE: the ordinance has been put back into committee, to get more input from the community.
13 May 2008 at 10:32 am
Help Preserve Chicago’s Arts and Music | Blueprint Design Studio
[...] entry is re-posted from my own blog, but it’s important enough to bear repeating. As Patrick H. says, this ordinance is [...]