The wealth of the music scene in Chicago is vast, and has a long legacy that has impacted millions. Whether it be in the jazz of the 20s, the blues of legends Little Walter or Muddy Waters or the vibrant house music scene, Chicago is looked to internationally for musical inspiration. An ordinance being proposed by the city this week, however, could have long-lasting negative implications for the windy city.

The promoter's ordinance was drafted up in response to the E2 incident of 2003. The club received a court order to close it's doors, but the city failed to enforce this. As a result, 21 patrons died tragically in a stampede.

No one working in the Chicago nightlife wants there to be another E2, but the latest ordinance up for voting on Wednesday the 14th goes far beyond what is actually needed. The ordinance would require several things to happen.

First off, every promoter working with a venue with under 500 fixed seats (i.e. every club, small rock venue, and medium sized rock venue) will be required to be licensed for $500-2000, fingerprinted, and have to purchase $300,000 in general liability insurance. One can just imagine a city official walking into a dark nightclub, pulling a promoter into the alley, and yelling, "Where Are Your Papers?"

The clubs and concert venues in Chicago already have a difficult enough time procuring "public place of amusement," liability insurance and liquor licenses. It seems absolutely ridiculous that an independent promoter would have to do the same. The whole point of maintaining a music venue is so that independent promoters have more time to work with setting up events and working with the talent.

More than anything, this displays the city government's lack of understanding of how the music scene in Chicago works and develops. It is somewhat questionable as to whether or not anyone voting on the bill has ever been to The Metro, Empty Bottle, Riviera, or The Vic.

These changes will effectively wipe out a good deal of local talent, and especially young bands that want to get their first shot. If this had been in place during the mid-eighties, house music would never have happened. A very real possibility, if this passes, is the occurrence of a mass-exodus of promoters and musicians to growing cities like Las Vegas and Portland. It will be a tragic day for a city that has birthed some of the greatest music (mainstream and underground) that the world has to offer.

The city has made the draft ordinance available at this link on their website. For those wishing to contact local officials, the Chicago Music Commision has provide links on their site as well. SaveChicagoCulture.org has a running online petition going that is currently receiving so much traffic, that the site is running consistently slower than it was yesterday.

Again, this ordinance should be of concern to every musician in the world. If Chicago passes the Promoter's Ordinance, who knows where else this type of cultural misstep might occur?