Chicago Promoters heed the warning!

http://savechicagoculture.org/2008/05/09/stop-the-promoters-ordinance/

I would ask that you circulate this as widely as you can today. If you have
access to an email blast, do one ASAP. Also please take time personally
respond to the post at the bottom. The link above is functioning as a sort
of petition. Chicago needs your help.

The promoter's ordinance would require stringent restrictions and costs to
organize just about any event where there aren't a large number of fixed
seats. It affects independent organizers of music, theater, comedy and dance
even when they use safe and legal venues with Public Place of Amusement
licenses. PPA licenses (already required in Chicago) include coverage for
liability already. The cost of the ordinance is prohibitively high and the
language is vague. Stop the ordinance before it stops us.

The details:

The "Event Promoters" ordinance requires any event promoter to have a
license from the city of Chicago and liability insurance of $300,000, but
that's just the start:

* The definition of "event promoter" is so loosely defined it could
apply to a band that books its own shows or a theater company that's in town
for a one-week run.
* "Event Promoter" must be licensed and will pay $500 - $2000 depending
on expected audience size.
* To get the license, applicant must be over 21, get fingerprinted,
submit to a background check, and jump over several other hurdles.
* This ordinance seems targeted towards smaller venues, since those with
500+ permanent seats are exempt.
* Police must be notified at least 7 days in advance of event.