CHIRP: Chicago Independent Radio Project

Posted by Jenny L. on May 9, 2008 around 4pm

In response to Chapter 4-157, the “Promoters’ Ordinance”, which was recently presented by the Chicago City Council, the officers board of the Chicago Independent Radio Project drafter a letter of opposition.

Members of Chicago City Council:

We are the board of directors of the Chicago Independent Radio Project, a new local non-profit organization working to bring a low power community radio station to Chicago. Since our formation in August of 2007, we have been actively raising money to educate the public about the importance of community radio, as well as to apply for and build a radio station when a license becomes available. Like many small non-profit organizations, we have no paid staff, rely heavily on volunteers, and raise a large portion of our budget through special events including benefits at Chicago area venues. During the Chicago Independent Radio Project’s existence, we have held more than a dozen events at small clubs, bars, and Park District facilities. All have taken place without incident.

We recently were made aware of the Promoters Ordinance, and would like to express our opposition to it. If this ordinance passes, it would make it cost prohibitive for the Chicago Independent Radio Project to hold benefit concerts to raise money, drastically affecting our ability to bring our services to the community. Although there is an exception for non-profit organizations in the ordinance, it appears to apply only to organizations that already hold 501(c)3 status, or groups that have been in existence for at least three years. In addition to eliminating all newly formed non-profit organizations, such as the Chicago Independent Radio Project, this requirement does not take into account the extremely long process of moving a 501(c)3 application through the system, which can take up to a year or more. As it stands, this ordinance would prevent our group from raising money through events for a substantial period of time, which would be financially devastating and could potentially end our organization.

In addition to hurting non-profit organizations, we are concerned that this ordinance would end the ability of small independent promoters to bring special events to Chicago audiences. Chicago’s music community is remarkable because of the vibrant diversity of events – eliminating independent promoters’ ability to throw events will reduce the diversity and vibrancy of Chicago’s arts scene, which we believe hurts everyone.

While we appreciate the Committee’s desire to protect the safety of Chicago music fans, we believe this ordinance would cause more harm than good, and we urge you to vote against it.

Sincerely,
Board of Directors of The Chicago Independent Radio Project
Shawn Campbell, President
Jennifer Lizak, Vice President
Kristin Marks, Secretary
Carrie Weston, Treasurer
Michael Ardaiolo
Mike Bennett
Dustin Drase
Andrew Mall
Mary Nisi
Erik Roldan
Chris Siuty