Get ready for round two: Return of the Chicago promoters ordinance

DEVELOPING: The Chicago City Council is gearing up for a second attempt to push through legislation that would severely curtail independent concert promoters, which opponents say would have a disastrous effect on the local music scene.

The council’s license committee, chaired by Ald. Eugene Schulter (47th), drafted the so-called “event promoters ordinance” last spring with almost no input from the music community, rapidly moving it toward a vote before the full council in May. But aldermen tabled the controversial law at that time after an unprecedented outcry from the local music world.

Last year, council members vowed to work with the music community to “fine-tune” the law before a final vote.

Sources close to the procedure say that a retooled version of the law has now been ready since mid-February, and that the license committee is gearing up for a vote on Mar. 9 11 prior to sending the legislation back to the full council for what the committee hopes will be quick passage. Once again, however, the law is not being made available for public scrutiny, and no public hearings are scheduled to seek input from musicians, music lovers and indie concert promoters.

Ald. Schulter’s office has so far not responded to a request for comment or a request to provide a copy of the revamped legislation to the Sun-Times. Stay tuned for more developments.

BACKGROUND READING ON THE PROMOTERS ORDINANCE

May 7, 2008: The city tries again to legislate Clubland — without any input from the music community and The proposed law, and the Chicago Music Commission’s response to it

May 9, 2008: Alderman Schulter’s turn: The committee chair responds to music community worries about the promoter’s ordinance

May 13, 2008: Promoter’s ordinance tabled (for now) and Da Mayor speaks out on the promoter’s ordinance

May 17, 2008: The fight against the promoters’ ordinance continues

May 21, 2008: Ald. Schulter explains delay in promoter’s ordinance