Chicago's CAN TV fleet of cable television channels gives Chicago's communities a voice in television. But after the expiration of the current cable franchise in June with the cable company RCN, RCN has provided no funding for CAN TV. In fact, RCN has been operating without a city cable franchise since September 30, 2011.

It is unacceptable that RCN has not completed its new funding agreement with CAN TV. The City of Chicago should take immediate action to enforce RCN's public obligations and to ensure that the new franchise sets a high standard for public benefits by all cable companies.

Please take a moment to sign the Committee for Media Access petition calling on the City of Chicago to hold open community hearings for public input on the enforcement of cable company obligations and the future of CAN TV. The petition is online here:

www.change.org/petitions/city-of-chicago-act-now-to-secure-the-future-of-can-tv-the-publics-channels