Illinois Film Tax Credit Resolution: Chiraq
WHEREAS, Forty Acres and A Mule Filmworks have indicated their intention of filming a movie in Chicago titled Chiraq; and
WHEREAS, many Chicago residents associate the phrase Chiraq with gangs and gang violence; and
WHEREAS, many Chicago residents take great pride in their homes, block clubs, and communities; and
WHEREAS, many Chicago residents view the term Chiraq as offensive; and
WHEREAS, Forty Acres and A Mule Filmworks have stated that they intend to apply for an Illinois Film Tax Credit; and
WHEREAS, taxpayer dollars are used to fund the Film Tax Credit; and
WHEREAS, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity must determine whether the film production will have a positive economic impact on the State of Illinois pursuant to 35 ILCS 16/30[a)(6); and
WHEREAS, branding large swaths of Chicago as Chiraq may have a detrimental impact on economic development and job creation activities in those neighborhoods; and
William D. Burns Alderman, 4th Ward
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Mayor and members of the Chicago City Council assembled this 6th day of May 2015, do hereby support the efforts to deny Forty Acres and A Mule Filmworks' application for a Film Production Tax Credit, from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, for any film that utilizes the name Chiraq.