Calls for inauguration tickets through the roof (Trib)

[jefferson_dem]

Calls for inauguration tickets through the roof

By Lolly Bowean

Tribune reporter

November 8, 2008

There have been calls from forgotten childhood classmates, from long-gone girlfriends and boyfriends, and even from the widows of deceased Chicago icons.

In the three days since the election of Barack Obama, the demand for tickets to Inauguration Day events has been unprecedented, local congressional officials said.

"It's crazy," said Sharon Jenkins, spokeswoman for Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.). "We're in a unique moment in U.S. history. Every day under Obama's administration is a first, and people want to be a part of it."

Tickets to inaugural events are free of charge and distributed through members of the incoming Congress. The ceremonies are coordinated by different committees, and the tickets to the events are distributed differently. Events include a morning worship service, a procession to the Capitol, a swearing-in ceremony, an address, a parade and balls.

Jenkins said Rush's office received about 400 phone calls from residents about the Wall Street bailout package over a two-week period. But in the three days after Obama's election, the office logged more than 1,500 phone calls from people seeking tickets.

Residents should beware of anyone claiming to sell tickets, inaugural officials said, because tickets will not be distributed until January and the members of the House and Senate do not know how many they will receive. It's not illegal for recipients to resell tickets, but it is strongly discouraged.

Jason Tai, a spokesman for Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-Ill.), said, "We have not calculated final numbers, but it's safe to say there's been a lot of demand."

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http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-obama-tickets-08-nov08,0,5537575,print.story