Idiot Alderman at it again

Outside the ballpark: Proposal would move peddlers, bucket boys farther away from Wrigley
Alderman wants to expand zone of current ban
By Dan Mihalopoulos and Robert Mitchum | Tribune reporters
July 1, 2009
The latest round in a years-long battle over the streets surrounding Wrigley Field began Tuesday when the local alderman introduced a proposal to expand a ban on peddlers and street performers.

Chicago Ald. Thomas Tunney, whose 44th Ward includes the ballpark, is sponsoring a measure to add several blocks to the area where it's already illegal to bang on buckets or sell food and merchandise from a cart, table or other temporary stand.

"It's a public safety issue," Tunney said. "You can't walk to the park."

The prohibition would begin two hours before and end two hours after baseball games or concerts.



Peddlers and street performers are not supposed to be on the sidewalks on the ballpark's perimeter along Addison and Clark Streets and Waveland and Sheffield Avenues.

Tunney's proposal would expand that zone to include both sides of Addison and Waveland between Wilton and Racine Avenues, and both sides of Clark and Sheffield between Newport Avenue and Grace Street.

Similar restrictions are in place within 1,000 feet of other city sports venues.

Although the Wrigley ban has engendered past opposition, Tunney said problems with noise from street performances and peddlers hawking T-shirts on narrow sidewalks have worsened in recent years.

On Tuesday, the ballpark's neighbors largely supported the ordinance, saying "bucket boys" have become a growing nuisance the past couple of seasons.

"It's a huge problem," said James Murphy, the owner of Murphy's Bleachers. "You have 20 to 30 kids hitting buckets in a row on the sidewalk, and the crowd blocks the street."

Not all Wrigley neighbors were against the music of the bucket boys, despite its considerable clatter.

"Give them a drumstick and a bucket or a handgun -- which is more intrusive?" said Jonathon Cornell, 34.

Souvenir-store owners -- the natural antagonists of sidewalk peddlers selling sometimes profane shirts and hats -- welcomed the proposal.

"I think it'll help our business, for us and all the other stores," said Eddie Memishi, a worker at a shop near the Addison Red Line station. "But Wrigley is known for its vendors."

Residents outside the immediate vicinity of the ballpark worried new boundaries would move more traffic and noise onto what are now relatively peaceful blocks.

"If they do set up shop in the neighborhoods, it would be frustrating for the people who live there," said Jessica Kelley, 28, who lives 3 blocks away on Waveland.

Tunney and Cubs officials said the team had not pushed to expand the restricted zone but would have no qualms with the ordinance.

"In general, if it helps local businesses and residents, then the Cubs would be supportive," said Mike Lufrano, vice president of community affairs for the Cubs, who are owned by Tribune Co., which also owns the Chicago Tribune

Tribune reporter Dan P. Blake contributed to this report.

dmihalopoulos@tribune.com

rmitchum@tribune.com