My timing is awful. I've only had my chickens for about 7 weeks and now I have to deal with this?!
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/594274,CST-NWS-chicken09.article
I'm trying to get more information on next steps. While this article does note that a proposal was made to extend the scope of the amendment banning the keeping of pigeons in residential areas to include chickens, it does not note whether the proposal was sent a committee or whether it will be up for voting during the next Chicago City Council meeting on Oct. 31. (How ironic is that?!)
Thanks to these boards and you folks who have generously shared resources and experience, I have access to lots of information to help fight this, but I need to know how the proposal will be actioned so I can plan my next steps.
I'll keep you all posted on what I find out. Below is the text of an email I wrote to the reporter who filed this story.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/594274,CST-NWS-chicken09.article
I'm trying to get more information on next steps. While this article does note that a proposal was made to extend the scope of the amendment banning the keeping of pigeons in residential areas to include chickens, it does not note whether the proposal was sent a committee or whether it will be up for voting during the next Chicago City Council meeting on Oct. 31. (How ironic is that?!)
Thanks to these boards and you folks who have generously shared resources and experience, I have access to lots of information to help fight this, but I need to know how the proposal will be actioned so I can plan my next steps.
I'll keep you all posted on what I find out. Below is the text of an email I wrote to the reporter who filed this story.
Fran,
Thank you for fliling this story about the proposal to add chickens to the pigeon-banning ordinance. Can you advise what the outcome of the proposal was? Did it get sent to a committee? Are there going to be any opportunities for hearings?
I live on Chicago's far northwest side and I own 3 young hens. They are my pets. Along with the pleasure they give me as pets, they also provide me with fresh eggs every morning. I would be very upset to have to get rid of my lovely chickens and want to act on this issue.
I've been trying to find out what happened at the Sept. 27 city council meeting, but have not had any luck. The City Clerk's online Journal of Proceedings has not been updated to reflect the notes from the Sept. 27 meeting. I've called my local alderman's office (45th) and Alderman Lane's office. Neither has been able to advise me on the next steps. I've also attempted to call the City Clerk's office, but simply get offered a busy signal after choosing the "city ordinance" option on their phone menu.
As you may know, keeping chickens in cities has become increasingly popular. This partly due to the raising interest and awareness in eating locally as a way to promote a "greener" lifestyle. Most progressive cities allow residents to keep chickens. Here's a listing of the ordinances in other cities http://www.sailzora.com/Chicken Laws.htm and some articles about keeping chickens in cities http://www.sailzora.com/articles.htm
Furthermore, Alderman Lane's proposal is really unnecessary. There are already provisions in Chicago's Municpal Code to address the issues she raised in your article.
7-12-300 Ban of unlicensed possession of animals for slaughter.
No person shall own, keep or otherwise possess, or slaughter any sheep, goat, pig, cow or the young of such species, poultry, rabbit, dog, cat, or any other animal, intending to use such animal for food purposes.
This section is applicable to any cult that kills (sacrifices) animals for any type of ritual, regardless of whether or not the flesh or blood of the animal is to be consumed; except that Kosher slaughtering is exempted from this ordinance.
Nothing in this ordinance is to be interpreted as prohibiting any licensed establishment from slaughtering for food purposes any animals which are specifically raised for food purposes.
Agents of the Chicago commission on animal care and control, police officers and humane investigators of any agency licensed by the City of Chicago and/or the Illinois Department of Agriculture for the prevention of cruelty to animals shall have the authority to confiscate any and all animals kept in violation of this ordinance. Enforcement personnel shall have the authority to enter any business premises during normal business hours where an animal or animals described in this ordinance are being housed or kept, but shall only enter domiciles or businesses during nonbusiness hours after obtaining a proper search warrant or permission to enter from the occupant or owner of such premises.
Any person found to have been in violation of this section shall be fined not less than $50.00 nor more than $1,000.00 for each offense. When a person keeps, owns or slaughters more than one animal in violation of this ordinance, the unlawful keeping, owning or slaughtering of each animal will be considered a separate offense for the purposes of this ordinance.
(Prior code § 98-11.1)
I'd appreciate any information you can provide about the next steps on this proposed revision to the ordinance. You can reach me via this email address or on my mobile phone: 773-xxx-xxxx.
Best regards,
Linda xxxx
Thank you for fliling this story about the proposal to add chickens to the pigeon-banning ordinance. Can you advise what the outcome of the proposal was? Did it get sent to a committee? Are there going to be any opportunities for hearings?
I live on Chicago's far northwest side and I own 3 young hens. They are my pets. Along with the pleasure they give me as pets, they also provide me with fresh eggs every morning. I would be very upset to have to get rid of my lovely chickens and want to act on this issue.
I've been trying to find out what happened at the Sept. 27 city council meeting, but have not had any luck. The City Clerk's online Journal of Proceedings has not been updated to reflect the notes from the Sept. 27 meeting. I've called my local alderman's office (45th) and Alderman Lane's office. Neither has been able to advise me on the next steps. I've also attempted to call the City Clerk's office, but simply get offered a busy signal after choosing the "city ordinance" option on their phone menu.
As you may know, keeping chickens in cities has become increasingly popular. This partly due to the raising interest and awareness in eating locally as a way to promote a "greener" lifestyle. Most progressive cities allow residents to keep chickens. Here's a listing of the ordinances in other cities http://www.sailzora.com/Chicken Laws.htm and some articles about keeping chickens in cities http://www.sailzora.com/articles.htm
Furthermore, Alderman Lane's proposal is really unnecessary. There are already provisions in Chicago's Municpal Code to address the issues she raised in your article.
7-12-300 Ban of unlicensed possession of animals for slaughter.
No person shall own, keep or otherwise possess, or slaughter any sheep, goat, pig, cow or the young of such species, poultry, rabbit, dog, cat, or any other animal, intending to use such animal for food purposes.
This section is applicable to any cult that kills (sacrifices) animals for any type of ritual, regardless of whether or not the flesh or blood of the animal is to be consumed; except that Kosher slaughtering is exempted from this ordinance.
Nothing in this ordinance is to be interpreted as prohibiting any licensed establishment from slaughtering for food purposes any animals which are specifically raised for food purposes.
Agents of the Chicago commission on animal care and control, police officers and humane investigators of any agency licensed by the City of Chicago and/or the Illinois Department of Agriculture for the prevention of cruelty to animals shall have the authority to confiscate any and all animals kept in violation of this ordinance. Enforcement personnel shall have the authority to enter any business premises during normal business hours where an animal or animals described in this ordinance are being housed or kept, but shall only enter domiciles or businesses during nonbusiness hours after obtaining a proper search warrant or permission to enter from the occupant or owner of such premises.
Any person found to have been in violation of this section shall be fined not less than $50.00 nor more than $1,000.00 for each offense. When a person keeps, owns or slaughters more than one animal in violation of this ordinance, the unlawful keeping, owning or slaughtering of each animal will be considered a separate offense for the purposes of this ordinance.
(Prior code § 98-11.1)
I'd appreciate any information you can provide about the next steps on this proposed revision to the ordinance. You can reach me via this email address or on my mobile phone: 773-xxx-xxxx.
Best regards,
Linda xxxx
