General Provisions

1-16-010

Definitions

For the purposes of this ordinance, the following definitions shall apply:

a. “Person” has the meaning ascribed to the term in Section 1-4-090(e), but shall not include the federal government or any agency thereof.

b. “Nuclear weapon” means any device, the purpose of which is use as a weapon, a weapon prototype or a weapon test device, the intended detonation of which results from the energy released by fission and/or fusion reactions involving atomic nuclei. For the purpose of this ordinance, “nuclear weapon” includes the weapon’s guidance and propulsion system and triggering mechanism, i.e., the means of transporting, guiding, propelling, triggering or detonating the weapon, provided that such means is destroyed or rendered useless in the normal transporting, guiding, propelling, triggering or detonation of the weapon.

c. “Component of a nuclear weapon” means any device, radioactive or nonradioactive, specifically designed to be installed in and contribute to the operation of a nuclear weapon.

d. “Direct activities of the federal government” means actions of the federal government or any agency thereof created by statute, but shall exclude actions of independent contractors.

(Prior code § 202-1; Added Coun. J. 3-12-86, p. 28521; Corrected. 2-3-87, p. 39355; Amend Coun. J. 11-19-14, p. 98037, § 1)

1-16-020

Nuclear weapons work – Unlawful activities – Exceptions

a. Phase-out of present activities. No person shall knowingly, within the City of Chicago, design, produce, deploy, launch, maintain, or store nuclear weapons or components of nuclear weapons. This prohibition shall take effect two years after the adoption and publication of this ordinance.

b. Prohibition of commencement of nuclear weapons work. No person who is not, as of the effective date of this ordinance, engaged in the design, production, deployment, launching, maintenance or storage of nuclear weapons or components of nuclear weapons, shall, within the City of Chicago, commence any such activities after the effective date of this ordinance.

c. Exclusion. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit:

i. Any activity not specifically described in this section;

ii. Basic research;

iii. Any writing or speech devoted to public commentary or debate or other speech protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution;

iv. The research and application of nuclear medicine;

v. Uses of fissionable materials for smoke detectors, light-emitting watches and clocks and other consumer products; or

vi. Direct activities of the federal government.

(Prior code § 202-2; Added Coun. J. 3-12-86, p. 28521; Corrected. 2-3-87, p. 39355)

1-16-030

Reserved

Editor’s note – Coun. J. 3-31-04, p. 20916, § 1.1, repealed § 1-16-030, which pertained to redirection of resources toward human needs – peace conversion commission.

1-16-040

Civil defense participation limitations

Recognizing the futility of civil defense against nuclear war and its ensuing radioactive contamination, the city declares that planning for or participating in civil defense programs purporting to prepare for nuclear attack is futile and dangerous. Therefore, the city will not participate in any civil defense or population evacuation program exclusively intended to be implemented upon the outbreak or threatened outbreak of nuclear hostilities.

Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit or limit any other type of civil defense or emergency preparedness program.

(Prior code § 202-4; Added Coun. J. 3-12-86, p. 28521; Corrected. 2-3-87, p. 39355)

1-16-050

Annual commemoration day

In recognition of the first use of nuclear weapons against the Japanese City of Hiroshima in 1945, August 6th shall be declared “Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Commemoration Day” within the City of Chicago. The city shall sponsor an appropriate observation annually on this date. This annual observation shall include a report by the mayor on the city’s activities to enforce this ordinance.

(Prior code § 202-5; Added Coun. J. 3-12-86, p. 28521; Corrected. 2-3-87, p. 39355)

1-16-060

Sign requirements

The city shall post and maintain appropriate signs at recognized entrances to the city and in City Hall proclaiming the City of Chicago’s status as a nuclear weapon free zone. When posted on city streets or on state or federally supported roads entering the City of Chicago, such signs shall conform with the standards set forth in Section 28-44 of the Federal Highway Administration’s “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways”.

(Prior code § 202-6; Added Coun. J. 3-12-86, p. 28521; Corrected. 2-3-87, p. 39355)

1-16-070

Violation – Penalty

Each violation of this ordinance shall be punishable by up to 30 days’ imprisonment and a $1,000.00 fine. Each day of violation shall be deemed a separate violation.

(Prior code § 202-7; Added Coun. J. 3-12-86, p. 28521; Corrected Coun. J. 2-3-87, p. 39355)

1-16-080

Reserved

Editor’s note – Coun. J. 12-19-14, p. 98037, § 1, repealed § 1-16-080, which pertained to severability.