The City Council of Chicago can be the biggest group of nincompoops. Honest to Pete, you'd think this was Mayberry, as opposed to the third-largest city in the country.

From Save Chicago Culture: Tomorrow the council will vote to approve an ordinance that has the power to stifle creativity in Chicago's musical, theatrical, and general cultural scenes. With no public discourse or commentary, this proposal has been approved by the City Council Committee and is on the fast track to be pushed into law. It is up to us to let our elected officials know that Chicago's creative scene is too rich, too varied, and too vital to be regulated in such a blanket fashion.

This ordinance will effectively shut down and paralyze any independent music, theater and other assorted live performances, the stuff this town's cultural heart is made of. A city where I can only go see Dave Matthews Band or Wicked is not the city I signed up for.

Scott interviewed Ald. Brendan Reilly, 42nd ward yesterday, and is as we speak trying to get press access to the council meeting for tomorrow. He wrote a great piece on the issue at his blog, as well. Sign the Save Chicago Culture petition and keep up with the Time Out Chicago blog for the latest!

Posted by Erin at 12:20 PM | filed under: Chicago