The 4th of July is becoming a victim of the recession.
Some suburbs are canceling or cutting back on their celebrations. There will be no Independence Day parade in Elmhurst. The Elmhurst Jaycees lost a city grant that pays for a large portion of the event every year.
Evanston's Fourth of July Association is CHARGING participants who want to be in its parade. That's 75 dollars for non-profit's and 100 dollars for commercial businesses.
Joliet's celebration committee is asking the public for donations. It needs 23-thousand dollars for its fireworks show to go on. The head of the Joliet Regional Chamber of Commerce tells me citizens are responding. Donations coming in range from 25 dollars from individuals to five-thousand dollars from Rasmussen College.
Most residents I interviewed express disappointment. One woman says it's just not patriotic not to have 4th of July festivities. She says we need to support our troops overseas.
Would you be willing to pay for the party to go on?
