MUNICIPAL CODE OF CHICAGO
CHAPTER 4-328
NEWS MEDIA CREDENTIALS
UNOFFICIAL
4-328-010 Credentials Required.
No person shall be eligible to gain access to areas reserved for the news media for the purpose of gathering and editing spot news or photographing news events unless such person is a legal holder of a news media credential as provided herein, and displays such credential prominently and in plain view on their person.
For purposes of this chapter, the term “news media” means a newspaper or other periodical issued at regular intervals whether in print or electronic format, a news service whether in print or electronic format, a radio station, a television station, a television network, a community antenna television service, or a person or corporation engaged in making news reels or other motion picture news for public showing.
4-328-020 Issuance authorized.
The superintendent of police has power to issue news media credentials making the holder, upon properly displaying such credential prominently and in plain view on their person, eligible to gain access to areas reserved for the news media for the purpose of gathering and editing spot news or photographing news events in Chicago. Such news media credentials shall be issued only to those engaged in gathering, reporting, editing, producing or photographing current news events for newspapers, press associations, radio stations and other news media.
4-328-030 Application.
The application for such news media credentials shall be made in writing on a form specified by the superintendent, and shall contain such information as the superintendent may reasonably require. If the credential is sought for an employee of a news media organization, the application shall be made by the employer on behalf of the employee qualified to hold news media credentials. The employer shall represent that the employee on whose behalf an application for a news media credential is made is a reporter, editor, writer, photographer, producer or broadcaster of spot news. If the credential is sought for a person who is not an employee of a news media organization, the application shall contain such information and requirements as the superintendent shall specify by regulation. No such credential shall be issued unless the applicant meets these requirements.
4-328-040 Advisory committee.
The mayor has power to appoint an advisory committee on news media credentials composed of five members, on which there shall be a representative of the mayor, a representative of the superintendent of police, a representative of the newspapers, a representative of the press associations, and a representative of the radio stations referred to in Section 4-328-020, which committee shall formulate rules of procedure, recommend standards of qualification, examine all applicants for news media credentials and advise with and make recommendations to the superintendent of police, where applicants are qualified, regarding the issuance of the same.
4-328-050 Credential Form and contents.
The news media credentials shall be in such form as is designated and prepared by the superintendent of police and shall display a photograph of the credential holder. There shall also be printed on the news media credential an excerpts from this chapter to give notice of the prohibitions provided therein and associated penalty for violation and the conditions under which the credential is issued. Such news media credential shall be valid for a period to be determined by the superintendent of police but not to exceed two years from the date of issuance.
4-328-060 Surrender of credential.
Upon termination of employment with the employer which applied for the credential, or other change in status that renders the holder no longer eligible for the news media credential issued to him, the holder or his employer shall return the credential to the superintendent together with a statement of the reason for the return. It shall be a violation of this section to fail to return the credential under the circumstances set forth herein, and the employer and credential holder shall be jointly and severally liable for such violation.
4-328-070 Credential Revocation.
The superintendent of police has power to revoke any news media credential for improper use thereof by the holder, and upon notice thereof to the employer it shall be the duty of the holder and the employer to immediately surrender the news media credential so revoked.
4-328-080 Counterfeit or imitation media credentials.
No person shall counterfeit or imitate, or attempt to counterfeit or imitate, any such news media credential so issued by the superintendent of police; nor shall any person use or exhibit, or attempt to use or exhibit, any such news media credential or any credential similar in appearance thereto for the purpose of obtaining press privileges or of passing police or fire lines without authority of the superintendent of police; nor shall any person represent that he is a holder of such news media credential unless he is the actual authorized holder.
4-328-090 Regulations.
The superintendent of police is authorized to promulgate regulations to effectuate the purposes of this chapter. The violation of any such regulation shall be considered to be a violation of this chapter.
4-328-100 Violation Penalty.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter or any regulation promulgated thereunder shall upon conviction be fined an amount not less than $100.00 and not more than $200.00.