By Laura Pearson 
 

The story of the Chicago Independent Radio Project, although it is still being written, is one of the most inspiring lemons-into-lemonade tales I’ve encountered in awhile. I don’t mean to reduce the efforts of this nonprofit organization to a simple feel-good story–a huge amount of work has gone into CHIRP since it launched in August 2007, and a great deal of work remains. But in a time where so many independent outlets–from alt-weeklies to bookstores to record labels to radio stations-face epic challenges, CHIRP has emerged as a community-focused force to be reckoned with.

Since the radio project relies on ordinary people (as well as some crucial FCC decisions) to help reach its goals, it’s worthwhile to familiarize yourself with the history of CHIRP and learn how the plot has developed thus far. Who knows? Maybe you’ll feel motivated to write to the FCC about the necessity of low power FM stations in places like Chicago. Or maybe you’ll think of ways to establish and support indie radio in other areas. There’s any number of adventures to choose, but all of them begin with choosing to get involved. In so doing, you could help write a new local radio station into existence.

Meet Our Protagonist: Shawn Campbell

The story of the Chicago Independent Radio Project begins with a woman named Shawn Campbell. As long-time program director for community radio station WLUW-a station owned by Loyola University and programmed (for the past five years) under an operating agreement with Chicago Public Radio, Campbell worked tirelessly to build support and listenership, as well as maintain high standards of quality and professionalism in programming.

But after dedicating eight years to WLUW, Campbell lost her job last summer. She was forced out, along with station manager Craig Kois, shortly after Loyola announced its decision to reclaim control of the station, (which officially takes effect in July 2008). The University did not provide much explanation for the decision, nor did Loyola meet with the volunteer staff, comprised of more than 100 students, to describe exactly what the “takeover” would entail.

Understandably, WLUW staff and volunteers, as well as the larger listening community, were angered, disappointed, and confused: Why were Campbell and Kois dismissed if Loyola hoped the station would operate as is for another year? What did the University have planned in the way of programming? Would WLUW maintain its hard-earned reputation as an innovative voice in community radio? The outlook was unclear.

But some things were clear to Campbell: In particular, she knew that Chicago needed a local, noncommercial station like WLUW, but one where the broadcast license was owned by the station itself. “I am a true believer in the mission of community radio,” says Campbell, “And I wanted to make sure that type of programming did not die when Loyola took the station over.”

She decided to create a nonprofit organization called the Chicago Independent Radio Project, with the mission of eventually establishing a low power FM (LPFM) station in the city-one that would continue, and expand upon, the sort of community-based content offered by WLUW. And while this station would certainly draw upon the talents of many WLUW staff and volunteers, it would also make room for new participants and fresh ideas-a powerhouse of independent programming operating at 100 watts or less.

Key Plot Points: LPFM and the FCC

Since Campbell launched CHIRP last fall, the organization has already generated a lot of well-deserved buzz. The nonprofit has hosted a variety of fundraisers; attracted the attention of public radio advocates, politicians, and community members; formed different committees to tackle things like events, partnerships, and design; and launched an amazingly informative website. With the future of WLUW still hanging in the balance, CHIRP has provided people with a way of proactively pursuing new radio programming instead of letting their disappointment over the Loyola decision render them stagnant.

But the main hurdle that CHIRP faces in actually establishing a new station is acquiring a low power FM license. Currently, there are no full power radio stations available in Chicago, and even if one became available, it would come at a ridiculous cost (read: tens of millions of dollars). Although the broadcast radius of low power FM stations is only two to four miles, it is much cheaper to set up LPFM service and, unlike with full power stations, applications are available to underrepresented groups.

Unfortunately, at this point, Congress does not allow the FCC to grant LPFM licenses in metropolitan areas, claiming that these low power stations would crowd the dial, creating interference with full power stations. (Personally, I wouldn’t mind if an LPFM program interfered with the American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest!) In any case, although the FCC has shown this interference does not occur, the decision to free up signals in urban areas is still pending.

“The most challenging aspect of this project is knowing we are doing everything in our power to get the Local Community Radio Act through Congress [which would bring LPFM to big cities in the U.S.], and to get the FCC to prioritize new low power FM services over what are called “translators,” which are transmitters putting out a distant signal and broadcasting absolutely no local programming-but that, ultimately, it’s beyond our control,” says Campbell. She fears that if the FCC doesn’t make the necessary changes to legislation, then CHIRP might never realize its core mission of launching a station. “We might still be shut out, no matter how deserving our organization might be.”

Photo by Flickr user Poagao

But Campbell and CHIRP vice president Jenny Lisak were recently encouraged by a trip to Washington, D.C. They met with FCC members and politicians as part of Low Power FM Action Days, organized by the Prometheus Radio Project. “I really felt that the FCC staffers we met with listened to what we had to say and asked really good questions,” says Campbell. “And when we met with staff members of Senator Durbin’s and Senator Obama’s offices, as well as staffers from Representatives Emanuel, Schakowsky, and Lipinski’s offices, we found everyone extremely receptive to what we were saying.”

Senator Durbin’s office, and later Senator Obama’s office, agreed to sign on as a co-sponsor to the Local Community Radio Act bill. “It was so gratifying!” Campbell says. “I felt like it was an example of the system working as it should. We went to talk to our elected representatives-or at least their staff members; we made our case about why supporting our bill made sense for their constituencies, and then they signed on.”

The Continuing Story

CHIRP continues to work towards its mission with creativity and commitment. Programming ideas are taking shape, even while the organization pursues a broadcast license. “Our hope is to provide Chicago with an outlet for great music, both local and non-local, that isn’t finding much exposure elsewhere, and [to provide] a venue for the discussion of community issues that are not covered in the mainstream corporate media,” says Campbell. “And of course the whole idea of community radio is that people are not just passive listeners, but that they have a chance to learn to make their own media.”

Campbell also says that she’d like CHIRP to provide on-demand services like podcasts, but that they need to work out the music licensing issues first.

In terms of getting the word out, local DJ and CHIRP volunteer Dustin Drase points to both the website and the upcoming record fair as helping put the organization’s initiatives on the public radar.

“Our website is going to be crucial as we continue our efforts to get an LPFM license,” says Drase. “A lot of what we’re fighting for is completely unknown to the average listener or supporter, and having the website as a spot for information is a definite imperative… Hopefully, it is actually fun to read and attracts folks who believe in what we do.”

Meanwhile, the CHIRP Record Fair (formally the WLUW Record Fair) promises to be an exciting fundraiser. “We’re the only record fair held in Chicago proper, and definitely one of the biggest in the Midwest,” says Drase. “We’ve become an annual tradition here in Chicago that people look forward to.” This year’s fair, which transforms Chicago’s Pulaski Park Fieldhouse into a treasure trove of rare and used vinyl, will take place on April 12 and 13.

Whether you want to contribute to the website, write letters to Congress, or expand your record collection, Campbell encourages anyone with interest in community radio to get involved in shaping CHIRP history-to participate in this story as it unfolds. “It’s been great to see so many members of Chicago’s creative communities willing to help out, whether it’s a club giving us space for a benefit, a band willing to play for us, or a designer helping us poster. Everyone wants to see this thing succeed,” she says. “It’s also gratifying to see the good will we built over the past decade at WLUW translate to this new effort.”

http://isgreaterthan.net/2008/04/01/makinglemonade/