April 16--Chicago's City Council is jumping into the fray over a state plan to cut in half the number of free days each year at the city's museums, with aldermen set to register their opposition to the idea even as lawmakers amended it and the proposal was sent to a committee where bills often die.
The nonbinding resolution introduced this week by Ald. Edward Burke, 14th, and Ald. Joseph Moore, 49th, notes entrance fees at several museums have gone up in recent years. And it says that several of the museums were originally given use of Chicago Park District land in exchange for guarantees of a certain number of free days each year.
The resolution calls on state legislators and Gov. Bruce Rauner to oppose a bill introduced in Springfield that would cut the number of free days required each year for state residents from 52 days to 26.
An amendment to the bill this week in Springfield would keep the required annual number of free days at 52 for Illinois residents under age 18, but cut them to 26 for state residents age 18 and up. The amendment was sent to the House Rules Committee, according to General Assembly records. Bills often languish in the rules panel, and don't make it back to the full House for a vote.
A similar bill made it to Gov. Pat Quinn's desk in 2013, but he vetoed it, saying it would hurt people who couldn't afford to the admission cost. There were not enough votes to override Quinn's veto at that time.
Now, Rauner will "carefully review any legislation that crosses his desk," according to his office.
Supporting the City Council resolution is an easy political move for aldermen, since they can position themselves as champions of their constituents who might not be able to afford museum entrance fees, without having to grapple with making sure the museums have adequate funding.
"The city of Chicago seeks to ensure that all Chicago residents, including those on modest budgets, have the ability to access Chicago's world-class museums," the resolution reads.
jebyrne@tribpub.com
