CHICAGO — In the past, people have braved winter temperatures, sometimes waiting in line days in advance, to secure the Chicago Park District special events permits.
This year, everything goes online.
The permits are needed to rent venues like city parks or cultural centers for weddings, art shows and picnics. The process will also begin earlier for 2014, officially starting in November instead of January.
Instead of waiting outside the Park District headquarters at 541 N. Fairbanks Court in Streeterville, applicants will register at the website.
Starting Oct. 25, applicants can create an account with the park district and add a "Permit Application Fee 2014" to their wish list. Check-out begins 9 a.m. Nov. 1.
A non-refundable $35 application fee, the same as years past, is required to secure a spot in line. But there will be an additional $2 service fee, most of which goes to online vendor ActiveNet, said park district spokeswoman Marta Juaniza.
Changes are also coming to specific picnic permits and will be announced next spring, according to the Chicago Park District.
"The new process will allow for more planning time and eliminates waiting in line," a statement released Wednesday said.
