(from chicagoist.com)
One man’s cultural institution is another man’s noise pollutant. For those of us who value downtown street musicians as part of the city’s inimitable fabric, the latter impulse seemed poised to win the day as aldermen were slated to consider a street performance-stifling proposal on Wednesday. The proposed ordinance was ultimately stalled from consideration for at least one month amid legal threats from the ACLU. But the fact it even reached this stage speaks louder than a Bucket Boy’s drum to the City Council’s misaligned priorities.
On the wings of a full-throated endorsement from the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board, an ordinance that would have effectively silenced street musicians was poised to go in front of the City Council on Wednesday. The ordinance, introduced by Ald. Brendan Reilly (Ward 42) would have prohibited the emission of “noise” by performers that can be heard within 20 feet on two of downtown’s busiest stretches: Michigan Avenue, between Cedar and Balbo; and State Street, between Huron and Jackson.
We’re not without sympathy for the “thousands,” according to Reilly, who have complained to his office about noise from street performers. Truly. This writer can vividly recall, when working near State and Randolph streets, how the sidewalk sax player’s repeated Coltrane figure would transform from background ambience to brain-burrowing earworm. (MORE HERE)
Yes let’s take away something that’s very cool about Chicago. Step-dads on blue tooth head sets, insane honking, the eL, people shouting at each other, NO THOSE ARE FINE, but let’s definitely extinguish the musicians. I love when I get to see a performance on the Redline platform. And with everything else going on in Chicago could we please leave the street performers alone!! Thank you!!
