Office of the City Clerk - Record #: O2014-891

• Record #: O2014-891
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Passed
• Intro date: 2/5/2014
• Current Controlling Legislative Body: Committee on Finance
• Final action: 3/5/2014
• Title: Extension of various cable franchise agreements with Comcast
• Sponsors: Emanuel, Rahm
• Topic: AGREEMENTS - Franchise

Date	Journal Page Number	Action By	Action	Result
3/5/2014	75268	City Council	Passed	Pass
3/4/2014		Committee on Finance	Recommended to Pass	Pass
2/5/2014	73583	City Council	Referred

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL MAYOR
February 5,2014










TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO


Ladies and Gentlemen:

At the request of the Commissioner of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, I transmit herewith an ordinance authorizing the execution of an extension of various Comcast Cable Franchise Agreements.

Your favorable consideration of this ordinance will be appreciated.

Mayor

Very truly yours,

ORDINANCE

WHEREAS, Section 6(a) of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution provides that a home rule unit "may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs including, but not limited to, the power to regulate for the protection of the public health, safety, morals and welfare; to license; to tax . . ."; and

WHEREAS, Pursuant to section 4-280-100 of the Municipal Code of Chicago, the City Council is authorized to renew franchise agreements to construct and operate cable television systems within the public ways of the City; and

WHEREAS, Comcast currently maintains and operates a cable television system in all five City of Chicago Franchise Areas pursuant to Cable Television Franchise Agreements; and

WHEREAS, The Comcast Franchises for Franchise Areas 2, 3, 4 and 5 (the "Expiring Franchises") are due to expire on March 15, 2014 (the "Expiration Date"); and

WHEREAS, Comcast has indicated an interest in renewing the Expiring Franchises and continuing to operate in Franchise Areas 2, 3, 4 and 5; and

WHEREAS, The Cable Administrator of the City of Chicago has been conducting renewal negotiations with Comcast, which are ongoing; and

WHEREAS, These negotiations will likely not conclude before the Expiration Date; and

WHEREAS, It is in the interests of the City of Chicago and the City's cable consumers that adequate time be provided for the Cable Administrator to reach an agreement with Comcast that best serves and protects the interests of the City and its cable-viewing pu...