Article: Mell retreats on spray paint ban in graffiti battle

A Northwest Side alderman backed off Wednesday from an attempt to ban spray paint sales in Chicago and said he may seek instead a surcharge earmarked for graffiti cleanup.

Under pressure from colleagues whose local retailers complained about the potential loss of business, Ald. Richard F. Mell (33rd) agreed to postpone a vote on the ban to give retailers and manufacturers time to develop an alternative.

Mell, whose ward includes graffiti-riddled Logan Square, Albany Park and Avondale, said the substitute ordinance probably will call for a 50-cent-per-can surcharge to finance a cleanup "superfund." The compromise also will require businesses to clean up graffiti within 10 days, Mell ...

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