The Politics of Dancing: Chicago's "Anti-rave" Ordinance

CHICAGO - Since May 2000, when local politicians passed an ordinance targeting raves, with the intent to protect young people and address drug use, the party scene has changed -- but it is definitely not fading away. The new ordinance, which can fine promoters, DJs and property owners up to $10,000 for involvement in an unlicensed party, is forcing the rave community to confront obstacles such as licenses, drugs and the city's bureaucratic procedure in order to survive. Also, efforts by dance music enthusiasts drive to save the rave culture has created a sense of unity, leading to more discussion within the dance music scene.

"We haven't had anything to give a shit about in this whole generation. I've been waiting for this my whole life," said Chris Gin, a Chicago DJ and managing editor of the dance music publication, Thousand Words. "All of a sudden everything that I've done and everything that I've stood for is coming together when somebody attacks it, so actually I thank them for this -- for focusing my life to a razor's edge. It all makes sense now."

Gin has been active in raising awareness about the ordinance. The not-for-profit organization he started with Ken Wagner from Now Hit Recordings, DJing Is Not A Crime, is actively trying to protect DJs from potential criminal action and fines. DJing Is Not A Crime is working with the city to create a safe atmosphere so that DJ-style events can continue to be accessible to younger fans of the music.

The conflict in Chicago between politics and the dance music scene is something that has occurred throughout the country. An anti-rave ordinance has been passed in Orlando, Florida, Miami Beach politicians have tried to shut down the after-hours clubs in that city, and partygoers in both San Francisco and New York City are having their share of troubles. Some Chicago parties are still kicking though. A quick Internet search reveals five rave parties in the Chicago area for the month of June alone.

And while some promoters are moving parties just outside the city limits, others are throwing more 18+ dance music events at concert venues in the city, such as Metro and House of Blues. Although there are few 18+ or all-ages dance clubs are in Chicago, these events keep the dance music culture alive for the under 21 crowd, while avoiding the red tape of Chicago's licensing requirements.

The "anti-rave" ordinance, as it's been called, is actually an amendment to the amusement license ordinance. Sponsored by Chicago alderman Jesse Granato (1st Ward) and co-sponsored by Chicago alderman Ted Matlak (32nd Ward), the amendment makes the property owner/manger, promoter and entertainer (i.e. the DJ) subject to fines up to $10,000 for using any public place of amusement that does not have a public place of amusement license.

The amendment also requires any public place that conducts amusement for profit, primarily for participation by minors and involving music, music videos and dancing, to get a special class of public place of amusement license. This special license, known as the juice bar license, restricts any activity from taking place after 2 a.m.

A few events are exempt from the ordinance, however. For example, one exception would be a public place holding fewer than 100 people, and where there is no cover charge.

The amended ordinance does not directly identify its purpose as being "anti-rave" or distinguish between types of parties such as fraternity parties and rave parties. And although the ordinance never uses the term "anti-rave," City of Chicago workers are well aware of its purpose. Employees at both the City Clerk's Office and Ted Matlak's office referred to the ordinance as "the anti-rave ordinance" when contacted by Velocity for information regarding the juice bar license.

Due to complaints by residents and police officers about "rave" parties within the 1st Ward (Bucktown and Wicker Park), Granato felt pressured to pass the ordinance. Gin, though, said, "There are no raves [in Bucktown and Wicker Park]. What Granato is seeing in his ward are after-hours parties and loft parties."

The ordinance has attracted negative reactions from the rave community, mostly because of the $10,000 fine and the 2 a.m. clause, which would put an end to the typical, all-night rave party.

Explaining the 2 a.m. clause, Granato said that if promoters and the rave community want to legitimize parties, "the City of Chicago has regulations and licensing about public entertainment and those criteria have to be met." While Granato said that he realized that there were "a few legitimate parties" as well as "bootleg" parties, the ordinance is meant to address the latter. By "bootleg" parties, he was referring to parties where organizers rent out empty warehouses, charge a cover, and admit people as young as 13 years old.

Granato also pointed out that drugs are present at raves, which create potentially hazardous situations, and that it is the safety of youngsters that he is most interested in.

"We have a responsibility as legislators and elected officials to look after the safety of young people," he said.

"People of a sound age and maturity should be able to assemble where they damn well please, as long as it is not bothering anyone else," rebutted Michael Rodriguez, 21, of Boogie Tribe, one of the largest party promoting groups in Chicago. "If I want to party till 5 in the morning, I think I should be able to. But we must think about the fact that not all people are mature enough for these situations."

And although drug use does occur at raves, it isn't as out of control as it is in other music scenes, said Chicago Tribune music critic Greg Kot, at a recent panel discussion on WXRT-FM/93, about the ordinance.

"Of all the drug-taking situations that I have been exposed to -- and I've been covering popular music for close to 15 years regularly for the Tribune -- I would say the rave scene is one of the milder scenes when it comes to rampant drug use," Kot said. "I was more terrified at a Slayer concert at the Aragon in 1990. I mean, I saw people, you know, literally wading through vomit because they were so drunk. They were puking up their guts."

Additionally, some say that Chicago's new ordinance, like Orlando's anti-rave ordinance, attacks an entire culture because of the drug use and ignores partygoers' First Amendment rights to engage in free expression and to assemble peacefully.

Ed Yohnka, director of communications for the ACLU in Illinois, said that restricting raves is a bit like regulating driving, which isn't outlawed, even though some individuals drive while intoxicated.

"There is a problem that occurs any time that you officially make a determination that eliminates an activity across the board for specific incidents," Yohnka said. "People have a right to gather and to do what they want in terms of partying and dancing."

When asked if the ACLU has represented any club or rave promoters and if anyone in the rave community has applied for represention regarding Chicago's new ordinance, he was not aware of any who had.

Upon being told that some might contend the City Council passed the rave ordinance without much knowledge or discussion of the rave scene, Granato said, "It was in the news that we were introducing it." He added that promoters didn't approach him with any suggestions until after the ordinance was passed.

"You know they passed this thing without any public debate," Gin said. "Nobody knew. I heard about the ordinance the day it was on the table. I've talked to a few promoters and they all said, 'No, nobody called me,' When I talked to Granato, he said, 'Well, these guys don't stand up and make themselves available' -- which, he's got a point, but at the same time there are various electronic industry members that he could have contacted."

Some in the electronic dance music community, however, feel the party scene may benefit from the implementation of the ordinance, which could turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

"In some ways I actually think this is a good thing," said Michael Shum, a.k.a. DJ Snuggles, a prominent Chicago drum and bass DJ. "It will push many artists into sanctioned venues such as clubs and push the rest even further underground. I mean, it was getting pretty ridiculous how mainstream a supposed underground scene was getting. Not to say I support legislation to ban any music of any kind, but I think this will galvanize a scene that has become fractured and in many ways has lost its direction."

Chicago's clash between the politicians and the rave scene has sparked dramatic emotions from both sides. While Granato talks about the consequences of nitrous oxide and drugs, many in the dance music scene talk about the merit of a nonviolent atmosphere at parties, of a peaceful "vibe."

"Vibe is a deep thing, which can not be described unless you have experienced it," Rodriguez said. "There is nothing like a crowd of several thousand shouting for joy, fists clenched in the air, perspiration abound facing the central figure who is moving the masses with their [sic] soul."

George Costakis and Mary Susan Littlepage contributed to this piece.

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