Democracy in Action

For as much ragging on the government as I do, it bears saying that I think democracy is a brilliantly conceived idea, and here's a damn fine example of why.

Yesterday at 1:07 p.m. I received an email from my friend Gabe, who has produced and promoted some animation festivals here in the city of Chicago. He was warning all of his contacts of a proposal before the Chicago City Council which would be preposterously prohibitive to the music, theater, film, art, and literature community in the city. Last Wednesday, Jim DeRogatis at the Chicago Sun-Times posted a blog entry about the ordinance, and on Friday, a website was set up with the sole purpose as serving as a petition to the city council protesting the measure. Among the provisions of the proposed ordinance:

The definition of “event promoter” is so loosely defined it could apply to a band that books its own shows or a theater company that’s in town for a one-week run.

“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 ordinance seems targeted towards smaller venues, since those with 500+ permanent seats are exempt.

Police must be notified at least 7 days in advance of event.

Between Friday and Monday, there were 5,792 signatories on the petition, floods of calls and emails to the offices of the city aldermen. Today at 1:32 p.m., barely 24 hours after the first one, I received another email from Gabe, forwarding another email he got. It read as follows:

Please spread the word the Promoters Ordinance has been pulled

from City Council until further research. I guess a lot of musicians

an clubs etc. responded quickly.

BT

Bradford E. Thacker

Project Administrator

Department of Cultural Affairs

Chicago Cultural Center

So, let it not be said that the First Amendment does no good. This may seem like a fairly inconsequential thing, but it's more consequential if you like good music and it's yet more consequential if you're looking for a sign that people can organize quickly and efficiently to force elected officials to action.

I love this town.