Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration has scheduled a series of closed-door briefings for aldermen today to discuss his proposal to implement stricter rules for protests ahead of this spring’s NATO and G8 summits.
Emanuel aides said the meetings were intended to clarify the intent of two recently introduced ordinances that have garnered criticism from some aldermen and activists who say the measures would infringe on First Amendment rights.
“The ordinances are fairly complicated and we want to make sure people understand what they do,” said Emanuel spokeswoman Jennifer Hoyle.
One of the measures would dramatically increase the penalty for violating the city’s rules on public gatherings, from a minimum of $50 to $1,000, and require marches to have a “parade marshal” for every 100 participants. The other ordinance would hike fines for resisting police officers from a minimum of $25 to $200, and raise the maximum penalty from $500 to $1,000.
When Emanuel introduced the ordinances at last month’s City Council meeting, he said they would be temporary measures for the two international summits. But Emanuel last week said he “misspoke” and that the changes would be permanent.
Council members Ricardo Munoz (22nd Ward), Scott Waguespack (32nd), Michele Smith (43rd) and Ameya Pawar (47th) said they had concerns about the ordinances that they planned on voicing during the briefings.
“The fines and penalties are, shall we say, chilling for free speech,” Smith said of the planned changes to the protest regulations.
Waguespack said he was concerned about a proposed rule requiring applicants to provide “a description of any recording equipment, sound amplification equipment, banners, signs, or other attention-getting devices to be used in connection with the parade.”
Hoyle said that rule would help city officials gauge the scope of the demonstrations and determine how to accommodate protesters. She said the fine increase would bring Chicago’s penalties in line with the standards in other cities.
“We’re just trying to work with them and help them achieve whatever their purposes are,” Hoyle said. “It’s not as adversarial as everyone thinks.”
The briefings will involve Lori Healey, the former top aide to Mayor Richard M. Daley who is the organizer for the two international events, as well as Corporation Counsel Stephen Patton and deputy chief of staff Felicia Davis.
A separate briefing Thursday will be held for reporters, Hoyle said.