Is there any doubt who the museums have to answer to? Is there any doubt who's in charge of virtually everything? Alderman Burke slates all the judges in Cook County since 100% of the judges are Democrats.He controls Chicago's tax code.Chicago voters aren't into the concept of "checks and balances".
A powerful Chicago alderman is threatening to halt free city services provided to the Art Institute of Chicago because of its plan to increase admission fees by half.
But it's unclear whether Ald. Ed Burke (14th) can reverse the museum's course, and he suggested something less than that might satisfy him, even as he expressed anger over the fee hike.
"They are making it almost impossible for the average Chicago citizen to take his or her family to view these Chicago treasures," Burke said Wednesday.
Burke and Ald. Virginia Rugai (19th) proposed an ordinance to block free city water service, construction permits, licenses and inspections given to not-for-profit city museums that charge more than $10 for general admission.
If approved, however, several other museums would be affected, including the Shedd Aquarium, the Museum of Science and Industry, the Field Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art, according to the Chicago Park District. The Art Institute got $6.6 million in land and subsidies last year from the Park District.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Chicago Machine's Top Boss Threatens Chicago Museums
The Chicago Tribune reports on the man who runs Chicago,Alderman Burke:
