Possible return of Promoter Ordinance to kill Windy City indie scene

Event Promoters Ordinance 4-157 (PDF link) may be resurrected in the near future, warn independent music promoters after the bill once tabled in May 2008 after members of the Chicago cultural community began grassroots organizations to save well managed clubs and events in a city known for being steeped in the arts.

Coined “a full-on war against the music community” by Sun-Times music critic Jim DeReogatis, the ordinance aimed for calling for city council to tighten the checks and balances regarding hosting events with under 500 “fixed seats” to require promoters depending on the size of the venue to buy licensing ranging from $500-2000, $300,000 in general liability insurance, which opponents argue will cripple smaller venues where as larger stadiums and auditoriums are not subject to the restriction. Clubs singled out under this size restriction include many bars and restaurants with live entertainment as well as landmark music halls Cubby Bear, Metro, Schubas, Park West, The Vic, The Hideout, The Riv, and many others with flawless reputations for running safe events.

Chicago Tribune’s Greg Kot warns in a May 2008 article restrictions on venue size also endanger small theatre, comedy, literary events, art galleries, and school productions which will eventually cripple the number of events held annually in the city.  

Blamed in part for the E2 disaster where 21 patrons were killed in 2003, still speculated to be operating illegally after the nightclub was condemned but not properly enforced by the city to close the business.

TheRecordingIndustry and JaGoff have put together Chicago’s Promoter’s Ordinance Kills Independent Music documentary featuring interviews with Derogatis, Kot and Shawn Campbell for CHIRP and many more, watch the two clips below:

Updates and additional ways to save Chicago’s best natural resource can be found at Indie Band Surrival Guide