Cable tv issues are without a doubt moving to the front burner in Illinois. Citizens’ movements are rapidly forming to secure long-term funding for community television in the city of Chicago and to stop AT&T’s “U-Verse” dead in its tracks (see post #613).

CAN TV funding ordinance

Chicago area media activists should recall RCN's 2004 default on its payments to fund public access in Chicago. A temporary solution was put in place but has since expired. If nothing is done, access provider CAN TV will experience a 25% budget shortfall in 2009. The Chicago City Council must create a permanent solution for CAN TV's funding.

Aldermen Burke and Stone have come up with a workable ordinance that is before the Council’s finance committee this week. If it does not pass, according to CAN TV’s Greg Boozell, the result will be “layoffs of CAN TV personnel and major reductions of service beginning after the first of the year.” Download CAN TV’s flier here, and the proposed ordinance, which has been endorsed by 37 aldermen, here.

This important committee vote is on Friday October 31st and your help is needed.

Get on the bus!

CAN TV has arranged for a bus to take supporters from its headquarters at 322 S. Green St. to the Chicago City Council Commerce Committee hearing Friday morning, October 31. The bus leaves at 9:15AM for the 10AM meeting at City Hall, Room 201-A. Or, you can go directly to City Hall at 10AM. The Chicago city hall is located at 121 North LaSalle Street.

And take action: URGE your Alderman to vote YES for CAN TV funding. Chicago ward map and alderman list here. More here at Indymedia. Follow area and national cable issues here and here.


Posted by Scott Sanders, Chicago Media Action
Read my essay on how we might best bring public broadcasting into the digital age,
from Z magazine's 9/07 issue: "A Litany of Lies and Omissions"
My bio page: About Scott Sanders - Who is this guy? Click here.
Feedback? Information? Email me - themediastructurefailed(at )yahoo.com

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