Mar 19, 2009 5:05 am US/Central
Admission Hike Could Cost Museums City Freebies
Ald. Ed Burke Infuriated By Art Institute Price Hike
CHICAGO (Sun-Times Media Wire) ―
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The Art Institute of Chicago is raising its admission free to $18 per person.
CBS
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Ald. Edward Burke wants to block free city services for all museums charging over $10.
CBS
Chicago would cut off the free water spigot and other public subsidies to museums that charge more than $10 for admission, under a measure proposed Wednesday in response to the
Art Institute's 50 percent hike in its admission fee.
The increase approved last week by the Chicago Park District board would raise the Art Institute's admission fee from $12 a person to $18, a "remarkable jump," according to Ald. Edward M. Burke (14th), chairman of the City Council's Finance Committee.
Less than three years ago, the Art Institute was still one of the few big city museums with no mandatory admission fee. Museum patrons were asked to pay a "suggested" fee. But those who refused were not turned away.
"A family of four going to the museum would have to pay $72, plus parking, plus a Coke or a candy bar. It's becoming impossible for Chicago citizens to take advantage of these cultural institutions," Burke said.
Noting that the Art Institute received a $6.6 million Park District subsidy last year, Burke said, "I know their
endowment has probably suffered with the downturn in the economy. But that's no excuse to stick it to the hard-working men and women of Chicago who are already paying taxes that subsidize these institutions who might like to take their kids to see these great treasures."
For decades, churches, museums, hospitals and other non-profits have received free water from the city. They also get free building permits and waivers of license and inspection fees.
The free ride would end if Burke and Ald. Ginger Rugai (19th) have their way.
At Wednesday's City Council meeting, they introduced an ordinance that states, "Any museum that charges admission in excess of $10" for city residents "shall be ineligible for any public subsidy."
Erin Hogan, a spokesperson for the Art Institute, had no immediate comment on the ordinance, which would also apply to the Museum of Science and Industry ($12 admission); the Field Museum ($13); the Shedd Aquarium ($12) and the Museum of Contemporary Art ($12).
Burke said he's less concerned about punishing the museums than he is about negotiating with them.
"Why not make more free dates available? Why not increase the number of passes available at libraries? Why not cap the amount of money they're charging for admission for people who live in Chicago and pay taxes in Chicago?" Burke said.
"It's one thing to charge $18 for somebody who's coming here from New Orleans or New York or San Francisco. It's something entirely different . . . to charge $18 to a taxpayer who lives in Chicago, who's already paying taxes that subsidize these institutions."
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2009. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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