Electric Daisy Carnival Wants to Return, Promises Changes

Electric Daisy Carnival promoters want the three-day music fest to return to Joliet next year and have committed to ending it earlier and fixing the sound problems, City Manager Tom Thanas told the Joliet City Council this week.

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But Joliet should make no decision until a city study being done on the event's economic impact is complete, Thanas said.

“(Insominiac Inc.) does want to come back. They thought (the festival here) was very successful," he said. "They see a lot of potential, a lot of upside, and they understand they have to work with us on those two key issues (of sound and hours)."

This year's festival, a mix of carnival rides, huge illuminated art installations, live performers and electronic music, drew about 60,000 people to the Chicagoland Speedway over Memorial Day weekend.

While the event was considered a success by those who attended it, those who heard it in their homes until 4 a.m. for three nights -- namely people in the Lincoln-Way towns of New Lenox, Frankfort and Mokena -- were outraged by the noise that kept them from sleeping.

Technically, the city's only real control over the event is the issuance of a permit for the carnival. The live music does not need city approval under Joliet's agreement with Chicagoland Speedway.

However, Speedway President Scott Paddock has assured Thanas and Mayor Tom Giarrante that they will not proceed without the council's blessing.

"Whether an ordinance (is required) or not, the Chicagoland Speedway and the city of Joliet want to be completely aligned on events like to make sure we work hand in hand," Thanas said. "Insomniac also wants to have the support of Joliet and the city council."

California-based Insomniac holds Electric Daisy Carnivals all over the country and internationally. The Joliet event was their first foray into the Chicago market, and prior to the May event, officials said they'd like to return annually in order to keep growing the audience.

In Las Vegas, the site of their largest festival, the three-day event draws more than 300,000 people.

Thanas said the economic impact study, which will include information derived from a survey Insomniac has sent to every person who purchased tickets to the Joliet event online, will look at things such as money spent in the city on hotel rooms and restaurant meals and at the event itself. One initial finding is that more than $1 million was paid to people who worked at the fest, he said.

Study results, which will include a recommendation from city staff on how sound issues should be addressed and when the event should end, will be ready sometime in the next 30 to 60 days, he said.