What is Chapter 4-157?

Statement from the Chicago Independent Radio Project:

The Chicago City Council has fast-tracked its new version of a measure first introduced last year to greatly impede independent promoters attempting to hold events in the city. Under the proposed law, independent promoters would have to acquire a promoter's license at a cost of up to $2000 every two years, obtain liability insurance for every event thrown, even if the presenting venue already has liability insurance, be fingerprinted and background checked, and maintain extensive records of each event. The ordinance allegedly is intended to prevent disasters like the one that occurred in the E2 nightclub several years ago, but really would just put many small indies out of business.

Jim DeRogatis is on top of the story, so we'll link to him rather than paraphrase further.

If you value live music in Chicago, it's important that you make your voice heard. Call your alderman and ask him or her to oppose the Promoter Ordinance. Be polite. Tell him or her you support live music in Chicago, and feel this ordinance would kill many great events. Say you want venues to be safe, but this ordinance goes too far.

Your voice makes a difference. Place a call to your alderman's office today. This page
will help you find your alderman and give you his or her phone number -- quick and easy! It only takes a couple of minutes.

And if you're able, come to the city council meeting on Wednesday, May 14 at 10AM in City Council chambers, and speak out against the measure.

Also, all letter sent from affected parties to promoters{dot}ordinance{at}gmail{dot}com may be (with permission) posted on the letters page, as well as printed and brought to the city council meeting. So send in those personal stories even if you can't make it yourself!