TITLE
PROVISIONAL APPROVAL FOR SPECIAL EVENTS & AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO A MULTI-YEAR PERMIT AGREEMENT WITH THE RIOT FEST CORPORATION TO HOLD THE ANNUAL RIOT FEST IN DOUGLASS PARK
BODY
To the Honorable Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District
I. Recommendation
Pursuant to Chapter VII, Section C.3.c of the Code of the Chicago Park District, it is recommended that the Board of Commissioners review and make a determination of provisional approval or denial for special event permit applications with an attendance of 10,000 or more per day. It is recommended that the General Superintendent and CEO or his designee enter into a multi-year permit agreement with Riot Fest Corporation to hold Riot Fest in Douglass Park.
II. Information
Parties: Riot Fest Corporation
PO Box 220350
Chicago, IL 60622
Contract Type: Multi-year festival permit agreement
Contract Term: Three (3) years (2025-2027) with an option to extend for an additional 2 years (2028-2029)
Contract Fees: Permit Fee equal to the greater of:
(i) Guaranteed Minimum Annual Payment of $575,000 with a $15,000 annual escalator
OR
(ii) Per Ticket Fee (based on 150,00 tickets)
2025 - $5.25 per ticket
2026 - $5.375 per ticket
2027 - $5.50 per ticket
2028 - (Ext) $5.625 per ticket
2029 - (Ext) $5.75 per ticket
Capital Contribution: In addition to the Permit Fee, Riot Fest will fund a 10% give back to capital improvements in Douglass Park.
Separately, the Park District will pilot an increase of its 10% give back to 20% for this event. In total, Douglass Park will receive a 30% give back.
Authorization: Authorize the General Counsel to include other relevant terms and conditions in the written Agreement. Authorize the General Superintendent to execute the Agreement and the related extension options and the Secretary to attest as to the signing of the Agreement and keep an original copy of the Agreement on file.
III. Budget and Financial Information
Budget Classification: Operating
Fiscal Year: 2025-2029
Source of Funds: 001.9310.9310.423005.00001.01.01.00001
IV. Explanation
Since 2012, the Riot Fest musical festival has been held on Chicago Park District property. Riot Fest consists of a diverse lineup of punk, rock, alternative, reggae, metal and hip-hop artists. It also features many local food and beverage vendors, artist, nonprofits and activations. Drawing attendance of approximately 50,000 people per day, this event has proven to be a successful addition to the festival lineup in Chicago.
Based on these successes, the Chicago Park District and Riot Fest Corporation wish to enter into a multi-year agreement to continue to produce the festival for Chicago residents and visitors.
Key elements of the agreement include:
• The festival area will be within Douglass Park, unless alternative location otherwise mutually agreed to by the parties
• Paid attendance at the festival shall not exceed 50,000 people per day unless otherwise mutually agreed to by the parties.
• Riot Fest Corporation shall be responsible for organizing, producing and holding the festivals and for the payment of all related costs and expenses, including all reasonable costs related to repairing and restoring the festival area to its pre-festival condition.
• Riot Fest Corporation will pay fees as detailed above in consideration of the Festival Permit.
• In addition to the Permit Fee, Riot Fest will fund a 10% give back to capital improvements in Douglass Park.
• Riot Fest Corporation will provide 100 multi-day GA tickets (or equivalent) each year for Park District use (e.g., to raffle for summer program funds).
• Riot Fest Corporation will continue to invest in the surrounding community year-round through the “Beyond the Fest” initiative, including but not limited to:
⁻ Complimentary Tickets - Free tickets for local residents and businesses (within a 4-block radius) to promote community inclusion.
⁻ Local Jobs - Hiring local workers, contributing to neighborhood employment and economic growth.
⁻ Food & Nonprofit Vendor Booths - Complimentary and discounted spaces provided for community-based food vendors and nonprofits.
⁻ Event Sponsorships - Financial support for local events and programs.
⁻ Community Programs:
• Paid Internship Program - Hands-on opportunities for local youth.
• Scholarships - Supporting educational opportunities for local students.
• Hospital Safety Programs - Funding health and safety initiatives.
• Vendor Workshops - Training and development for local vendors.
• Local Artist & Musician Support - Performance opportunities for emerging talent.
• The agreement will contain termination provisions standard in all such Park District agreements.
Over the life of the agreement, including extensions, it is estimated that fees to the Park District will total $3 million - $4.5 million depending on ticket sales. Of this amount between $907,500 - $1,237,500 will fund improvements in Douglass Park. The Park District will pilot the first Participatory Budgeting Process to help determine how the give back from Riot Fest will be spent at Douglass Park. Participatory Budgeting is a democratic process where community members directly decide how to spend public dollars.
V. General Conditions
1) Conflicts: The Agreement shall not be legally binding on the Chicago Park District if entered into in violation of the provisions of 50 ILCS 105, the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act.
2) Ethics: The agreement shall contain a provision requiring compliance with Chapter III of the Code of the Chicago Park District (“Governmental Ethics”).
3) Contingent Liability: Any agreement lawfully entered into for a period of more than one year shall be executory only for the amounts for which the Park District may become liable in succeeding fiscal years pursuant to Section 17(i) of the Chicago Park District Act, 70 ILCS 1505/17(i). All agreements authorized herein shall contain a clause that any expenditure beyond the current fiscal year is subject to appropriation in the subsequent fiscal year budget.
4) Economic Disclosure Statement (“EDS”): Contractor has submitted a full and complete EDS form.