Cubs night games up for public discussion

By Jimmy Greenfield
RedEye

November 17, 2003, 10:09 AM CST

Wrigleyville residents can step up to the plate Monday night when a community discussion will be held on a proposal that would allow the Chicago Cubs to gradually increase the number of night games at Wrigley Field from 18 to 30.

Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) and a committee of community leaders, aldermen and Cubs representatives are looking for public response to the 2½ years of negotiations that have brought about the proposal.

"If we have a pretty good consensus that this is a step in the right direction, the ordinance [proposal] will be prepared before the end of the year," Tunney said.

The hearing will be held at 7 p.m. at LeMoyne Elementary School, 851 W. Waveland Avenue.

Most members of the "blue ribbon" committee who met to hammer out the deal are pleased with the result.

Committee member Charlotte Newfeld, head of Citizens United for Baseball in Sunshine isn't among them. She wants a provision that would deny the Cubs added night games if it's determined they aren't living up to their end of the bargain.

"I think the Neighborhood Protection Plan as outlined looks like it can be very good," Newfeld said. "I just don't think it should be contingent on more night games ... being locked in stone."

The Chicago City Council granted the Cubs 18 night games in 1988, but that agreement expired after the 2002 season. The Cubs have been seeking as many as 30 night games while community leaders have sought more control over traffic congestion problems and fan rowdiness.

Under the plan, the Cubs would be able to schedule 22 night games in 2004, 26 games in 2005 and 30 games beginning in 2006 until the end of the 15-year agreement. In exchange, the team would agree to establish a $1 million "CubFund" to address expenses not in the proposal.

The Cubs also would, among other things, provide free parking at remote lots for all night games and all weekend games next season. The team could begin charging for parking in 2005 if the lots are used by at least 500 vehicles.

The Cubs are owned by Tribune Co., which also owns the Chicago Tribune.

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