Sen. Collins Tells IL Senate To 'Do the Right Thing' By Supporting Spike Lee's 'Chiraq'

Caption: State Sen. Jacqueline Y. Collins (16th District), says Spike Lee’s proposed movie will ”tell the truth” about violence in Chicago as well as being part of solution by providing jobs and bolstering local economy (Inset) Spike Lee.

State Sen. Jacqueline Y. Collins (16th District) wants the Illinois State Senate to “do the right thing” by supporting director Spike Lee’s request for a $3 million tax credit to film his upcoming movie “Chiraq.”

The renowned director wants to start production this summer on the city’s South Side for his movie documenting Chicago’s gun violence. A possible deal breaker toward getting the tax credit is the movie’s “working title” of the film -- “Chiraq” -- which has some local politicians bristling.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel has reportedly told Lee that he is “not happy” about the name “Chiraq.” Another South Side alderman, William Burns (4th), has angrily suggested that the “Do the Right Thing” and “Malcolm X” director not get the tax credit that he is seeking for filming Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood.

During a senate session last week, Collins commended Lee for his decision to film“Chiraq” in Englewood, which she says will create thousands of jobs for local residents and invest in the local economy.

Lee’s 40 Acres and A Mule production company intends to hire nearly 3,000 extras, 100 crew members and 30 interns. Most of the hirees will be from the battleworn West Englewood neighborhood in Collins’ wide-ranging 16th District, which also covers portions of the Chicago neighborhoods Auburn-Gresham, Chicago Lawn, Greater Ashburn and West Chatham, and parts of suburban Justice, Hickory Hills, Oak Lawn and Burbank.

Englewood, whose 21.3 percent unemployment rate exceeds state and national averages, A resolution she sponsored urges the state to find Lee’s production company eligible for a tax credit designed to encourage television and film productions to employ Illinoisans and contract with Illinois vendors.

“The communities I represent are buffeted by unemployment, depressed property values and a chronic lack of investment,” Collins said in a written statement. “This film will provide not only temporary jobs but also valuable training and experience for those hired, and local businesses will benefit from the opportunity to provide goods and services to the production.”

Lee, who is best known for his compelling film treatments of race in America, has said that “everything I’ve done has led up to this film.” He’s also told the public to go see the movie before making up their minds.

Although his proposed title, “Chiraq,” has generated controversy, Collins says she and many residents welcome an honest look at the violent crime that helps perpetuate the cycle of poverty and economic neglect in Englewood and disadvantaged communities throughout the state.

“Communities such as Englewood need better statistics, not better semantics; a commitment to people, not perceptions and a focus on public safety and the public good, not merely public relations,” Collins stated. “This film will challenge society’s acceptance of the unacceptable in its forgotten corners, and by generating jobs and economic growth, it will also serve as part of the solution.”

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