CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The organizers of the Pride North Festival are in hot water with the city for charging people to get in.
According to attendees, on day two of the Pride North Festival, at least one sign was put up reading "$20. Cash Only", written with a sharpie; and some people did in fact pay to get in.
"I've gotten a number of complaints from lots of residents about the organizers of Pride North requiring the $20 fee and not letting people enter if they don't pay that $20 fee," said Alderwoman Maria Haddon.
Alderwoman Maria Haddon, in a Facebook message, said the organizers were violating their permit.
"Them charging you $20 and not giving you the suggested donation option or letting you in if you do not have $20 is illegal...That is a violation of their permit. It is a suggested donation. The rules around street festivals and what they are allowed to change has not changed since the pandemic," she said. "I've also heard that they are telling people that the alderwoman has signed off on this."
She said she did not sign off on it and spoke to the organizer, Colm Treacy, who owns the Glenwood bar. Treacy was not clear on how many were forced to pay the illegal fee; which Haddon noted would have been fine if it was a suggested donation, not a gate charge.
Related
