(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A Chicago City Council Committee has approved a ban on the sale of new fur products in the City.
The proposed fur ban had been stuck in the council's Committee on License and Consumer Protection for about a year and a half, but quickly was approved and sent to the full council this time.
The ordinance's sponsor, 15th Ward Alderman Raymond Lopez says times have changed.
“We actually have a letter, by the Chicago Fashion Coalition which states that they are very supportive of this, which is indicative of the fact that even fashion is trending away from the use of natural fur.”
The ordinance would ban clothes and household products made from fur, but not animal hide that’s been turned into leather.
“We know that we can transition away from formerly live fur products. We know that there are many humane issues that we have with regards to how animals are treated,” Lopez said.
However, 19th Ward Alderman Matt O'Shea has two furriers in his community, Andriana Furs and Island Furs, and he says this is bad.
“They've struggled like so many small businesses in the post-pandemic world, they will close their doors. We will have vacant storefronts as all furriers across the city, and I don't even know how many we still have.”
Raymond Lopez says there are six or seven.
The measure now goes to the full council.
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