HR0352 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0352 LRB096 12572 GRL 25833 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, On February 18, 2009, the Executive Committee of the Art Institute of Chicago voted to increase the general admission fees at the Art Institute of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, On March 11, 2009, the Chicago Park District Committee on Programs and Recreation voted to recommend that the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners enter an order authorizing a change in the general admission fees at the Art Institute of Chicago, effective May 23, 2009; and

WHEREAS, On March 11, 2009, as required under Illinois law, the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners entered an order authorizing a fifty percent (50%) increase of the adult general admission fee, from $12 to $18; and

WHEREAS, The Board of Commissioners also authorized a seventy-one percent (71%) increase of the senior and student general admission fee, from $7 to $12; and

WHEREAS, Less than three years ago, admission to the Art Institute of Chicago was free, as the Art Institute merely "suggested" that visitors make a donation; and

WHEREAS, Currently, a family of four, with two student children over twelve years of age, would pay $38 for admission to the Art Institute of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, On May 23, 2009, after the general admission fee increase becomes effective, it will cost $60 for that same family to gain admission to the Art Institute of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Unlike the Museum of Science and Industry, the Field Museum of Natural History, and the Shedd Aquarium, the Art Institute of Chicago does not offer a reduced general admission fee for Chicago residents; and

WHEREAS, The Art Institute of Chicago, which, in 2008, received $6.7 million in funding from the Chicago Park District, is directly subsidized by City of Chicago taxpayers; and

WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council seeks to ensure that all Chicago residents, including those on modest budgets, have the ability to access one of America's premier art museums; and

WHEREAS, The residents of the City of Chicago, who subsidize the Art Institute of Chicago through the payment of property taxes, should have their support acknowledged and rewarded with a reduced resident admission fee; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners to repeal the increase of the general admission fees approved on March 11, 2009; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we further urge the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners to order the Art Institute of Chicago to implement a reduced general admission fee for Chicago residents; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Gery J. Chico, President of the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners.