Skip to main content

Official rules

Definitions

  • “Entry” means a design created by the Entrant for this Contest.
  • “Entrant” means the individual or group of individuals that offers the Entry under the terms of this Contest.
  • “Sponsor” means the Metropolitan Planning Council, located at 140 S. Dearborn, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60603.
  • “Contest Site” means (Placemaking Chicago contest page link)
  • “Flickr” means (MPC Flickr site)
  • Eligibility & Acceptance
  • The Contest is open to those who are 16 years of age or older at the time the Contest commences. 
  • The Contest is subject to all federal, state and local laws and regulations. Void outside of the United States, and where prohibited by law.

  • Participation constitutes the Entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Rules. By participating in the Contest, the Entrant is representing and warranting that he/she has read and understood, and agrees to be bound by, these Rules. Including the guides and rules referred to herein, these Rules constitute the entire agreement between the Entrant and the Sponsor in relation to the Contest. They govern the Entrant’s participation and supersede any prior or other agreements between the Entrant and the Sponsor and relating to the Contest.

Submission Criteria

The submission deadline is Monday, July 26, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. Each entrant may submit one photo and one video entry only. All entries must be sent via e-mail, and include the following:

  • Name of your story
  • A 250-word description
  • Entrant's full name, e-mail, mailing address, phone number, and date of birth
  • How you heard about the contest
  • Transit direction to the place (if possible) 

In the event of broadcast, all finalists must have a high-resolution version readily available and submit all relevant paperwork in regards to clearance of all elements included in the submission(s).

Videos or photos must feature public places in the City of Chicago or Chicago suburbs located in Boone, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties in Illinois, or in Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties in Indiana, or in Racine and Kenosha counties in Wisconsin.

Videos and photos may NOT contain:

  • Any copyrighted material not in the public domain or for which you have not obtained the rights to use;
  • 3rd party voice-overs for which you have not obtained the rights to use;
  • 3rd party stock photography or artwork for which you have not obtained the rights to use;
  • Nudity, lewd or vulgar behavior; offensive language and/or gestures.

All entries must be appropriate for all audiences. Videos or photos referencing sex, drugs, or violence wll not be accepted as entries. Any video or photo that includes content that is deemed inappropriate, indecent, obscene, as determined by the sponsors in their sole discretion, will not be eligible.

All ideas submitted will be posted to the Placemaking Chicago web site, and affiliated web sites, with your first name and the state, city, and neighborhood where you live, but no other identifying information.

Entrants represent and warrant that (i) the videos or photos they submit: are their own original creations and do not infringe any other person's or entity's rights; (ii) they have obtained permission, if applicable, from the people featured in the video or photo to enter this contest; and (iii) the submission of the idea will not violate any enforceable agreements or understandings submitter has with any third party.

You can submit up to one video and one photo entry. Submissions must be made in English or subtitled in English. You must also provide your e-mail address, mailing address, phone number, and confirmation of your eligibility when you submit an entry. By entering the contest, you grant the sponsors the right to contact you regarding your entry, publicize your entry, promote your entry for any other purpose related to the contest and/or broadcast your entry.

Video submission criteria

  • Videos must be in .mov, .wmv, .mp4, .3g2, or .3gp compressed video at 320x240. Mobile phone video can be uploaded in its original, smaller dimensions. Videos may not exceed 200MB in size.
  • Submissions can be a URL from video sites like YouTube or Vimeo, or the raw Embed-tag frmo any video/flash site.
  • If a submitted video is less than 1 minute in length or longer than 5 minutes in length, the submission will be disqualified and not considered for review.
  • Videos must be accompanied by a description of no more than 250 words about why the place featured is a great public space.

Photo submission criteria

  • Photo submissions must be in one of the following formats: JPEG, PNG, GIF, or BMP. JPEG files at a suggested minimum of: 8 by 12 inches at 250 DPI or a 3000 by 2000 pixel image are recommended.
  • Or, photo submissions can be a link to an externally hosted photo file.
  • Minor digital enhancements of photos for cropping, red-eye removal, filters and corrective functions are permitted, but images that have been judged to be altered in any significant manner will be disqualified.
  • Photos must be accompanied by a description of no more than 250 words about why the place featured is a great public space.

 Judges/Review Panel

  •  The Placemaking Committee will act as the review panel.  A complete list of committee members is available at www.placemakingchicago.com/community/contributors. 
  • Timeline overview
  • June 2, 2010: Contest opens for submissions
  • July 26, 2010: Submissions close
  • July 26 - August 9, 2010: Review Panel reviews entries and chooses top finalists
  • August 9 - September 10, 2010: Finalist videos and photos posted on the Placemaking Chicago website for public online voting
  • September 17, 2010: Four contest winners announced
  • October, 2010: CAF tour of Chicago's Hidden Public Spaces

Judging/Selection of Winner

  • First Round Judging: All Entries will be judged and scored by an internal Sponsor team. The judging panel will select the top videos and photos based on the following judging criteria: Concept/Originality/Creativity; Relevance to Contest theme; Legality and Feasibility.  More detailed information about each of the above-mentioned criteria will be available throughout the Contest on the Contest Site. The top photos and videos selected (the “Finalists”) will be selected between July 26 and August 6, 2010. Sponsor will contact the Finalists via the email address used to submit Entry. All Finalists will be subject to verification of eligibility and compliance with these Rules, will be required to sign and return to Sponsor an affidavit of eligibility, liability/publicity release within five (5) days of the date of notification, otherwise the chance to go to the second round of judging will be forfeited, and the Entrant having the next highest score will be deemed to be a Finalist. If a Finalist is a group as opposed to one (1) individual, each member of the group must sign and return to Sponsor an affidavit of eligibility and liability/publicity release within the timeframe stated above or the chance to go to the second round of judging will be forfeited and an alternative Finalist will be notified. The Finalists will then be posted on the Placemaking Chicago site for public voting to determine a contest winner.  In the event that an extraordinary number of submissions are received, the date by which the top photos and videos will be chosen by the judges may be extended. In such case, the subsequent dates for voting and announcement of winners will also be extended. Notice of such change will be posted on the Contest website.
  • Public Voting: The Finalists will be posted online on Placemaking Chicago for public voting. Voting will begin 12:01 PM CST on August 9, 2010 and end 11:59AM CST on September 10, 2010 at which point the contest voting will close and all votes will be tallied. Voting is worldwide and open to everyone. In case of a tie, Sponsor shall decide the winner.  Contest winners will be announced on or around September 7, 2010. In the event of non-compliance with any of the Rules, that Finalist’s prize will be forfeited. If the disqualified Finalist is the First Prize winner, the Entrant having the next highest score will be deemed the first place winner. If a Finalist is disqualified, prizes only will be awarded to the remaining Finalists and no additional Finalists will be chosen from the submissions.  Winners will be notified via email within approximately five (5) business days after determination that they are eligible to receive a prize. They will be asked to confirm their phone number and mailing address. Entrants who do not provide a phone number and mailing address with their initial submission will forfeit any prizes. If an entrant cannot be reached by email within ten (10) business days of the first attempt to notify them, the prizes may be forfeited and the next successful entrant will receive said prizes.  The Sponsors will announce the winners and post their full names and city and state of residence on the web site following the completion of the Contest.

Prize information

The four contest winners will receive passes to one of the following:

  • Chicago Architecture Foundation
  • Brookfield Zoo
  • Shedd Aquarium
  • Chicago History Museum

And the chance to be featured in an exclusive CAF tour in October, 2010.

The prizes are non-transferable and no substitution by winners or cash equivalent is permitted. The Sponsor may substitute prize for one of equal or greater value at its sole discretion. Only one prize will be awarded to an Entrant. Please note that if the winner is a group of individuals, then the group will share the above-stated prize. A prize will not be given to each member of the group. The winner will be responsible for all federal, provisional, state, local and other applicable taxes relating to the prize.

Intellectual Property

  • Any submission idea, documentation, photograph or video entered in this Contest shall remain the exclusive property of Sponsor and Entrant agrees that Sponsor and its designees shall have the perpetual, worldwide, irrevocable right to edit, publish and use these materials in any way and in any and all media now or hereafter known for trade, advertising, promotional and/or other purposes as Sponsor may determine in its sole discretion without further consideration to Entrant or winner. The Entrant agrees to assign all rights, title and interest in to the submission, including copyright, to Sponsor and waives his/her moral rights in the submission.
  • Be aware that your Entry may not be acknowledged and will not be received or held “in confidence” and your Entry does not create a confidential, fiduciary or other special relationship between Entrant (and those who may appear on his/her Entry) and Sponsor or any of its respective affiliates or any of their respective licensees, successors or assigns or place Sponsor or any of its respective affiliates, licensees, successors or assigns in a position that is any different from the position held by members of the general public with regard to elements of your Entry. By submitting Entry, Entrant acknowledges and agrees that Sponsor or any of its respective affiliates or any of their respective licensees, successors or assigns may create their own materials and/or obtain many Entries under this Contest Site and that such Entry may be similar or identical in theme, idea, plot, format or other respects to your Entry and you waive any and all claims you may have had, may have, and/or may have in the future that any other Entry accepted, reviewed and/or used by the Contest Site or Sponsor, any of its respective affiliates or any of their respective licensees, successors or assigns may be similar to your Entry. Entrant acknowledges and agrees that neither Sponsor nor any of its licensees, successors or assigns has now, or shall have in the future, any duty or liability, direct or indirect, vicarious, contributory or otherwise, with respect to the infringement or protection of any copyright in and to your Entry, and that Sponsor, and its respective licensees, successors or assigns are not responsible for the loss, deletion, failure to store or misdelivery of any Entry submitted to or transmitted through the Contest Site.
  • Authorization to use winner’s name, likeness, design, etc.
  • Accepting the prize constitutes permission for the Sponsor to make public and otherwise use winner’s name, voice, picture, likeness, opinions, biographical information, city and country of residence, and submitted work without further compensation in any media now known or hereafter developed for promotional and/or publicity purposes, unless prohibited by law. Each winner also agrees to participate in and cooperate with any promotional activity and/or publicity relating to the contest as the Sponsor shall reasonably request from time to time.

Limitation of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranties/Indemnities

  • By participating in the Contest, the Entrant agrees to be bound by these Rules, including all eligibility requirements and all decisions of the Sponsor. By participating in the Contest, the Entrant agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Sponsor and its officers, directors, employees, agents, affiliates, contractors, contributors, subsidiaries, licensors, distributors, and parent (collectively, “Released Parties”) from any and all liability, claims, losses, costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) or actions of any kind, including, without limitation, property damage, personal injury, and/or death, arising out of his/her (i) breach of any representation, warranty or covenant contained in these Rules; or (ii) participation in the Contest; (iii) acceptance and/or use or misuse of any prize in connection with the Contest; or (iv) any third party claim relating to any rights in any design submitted.
  • BY PARTICIPATING IN THE CONTEST, THE ENTRANT AGREES THAT THE SPONSOR ENTITIES MAKE NO WARRANTY, REPRESENTATION, OR GUARANTEE OF ANY KIND, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, IN FACT OR IN LAW, RELATING TO THE CONTEST AND/OR THE PRIZES.
  • By participating in the Contest, the Entrant agrees that the Sponsor and Released Parties are not responsible, and will in no event be held liable, for any: (a) lost, late, illegible, misdirected, damaged, incomplete, corrupted or garbled entries; (b) telephone, computer, or network malfunction or error; (c) communication disruption or other disruptions related to Internet traffic, virus, bug, worm, or non-authorized intervention; or (d) damage caused by a computer virus or otherwise resulting to any computer from Entrant’s participation in, or accessing or downloading or uploading information in connection with this promotion. If such malfunction, error, disruption, or damage occurs or impairs the administration, security, fairness, or integrity of the Contest, the Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, suspend, modify or terminate the Contest by posting a notice on the Contest Site. If the Contest is terminated before the scheduled end of the Contest Period, the Sponsor will determine the winner from all eligible entries received as of the termination date. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEB SITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THIS PROMOTION IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAW. SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH INDIVIDUAL TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. Persons found tampering with or abusing any aspect of the Contest, or whom the Sponsor believes to be causing or attempting or intending to cause any malfunction, error, disruption, or damage will be disqualified. The Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any unauthorized entries, including, without limitation, or any entries made through robotic, automatic, mechanical, programmed or similar multiple-entry, or entry duplication, method and to disqualify any person or entity using such a method.
  • NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY, AND ONLY TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMISSIBLE BY THE APPLICABLE LAW, BY PARTICIPATING IN THE CONTEST, THE ENTRANT AGREES THAT IN NO EVENT WILL THE SPONSOR OR ANY RELEASED PARTY BE LIABLE TO ENTRANTS OR ANY OTHER PARTY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, REGARDLESS OF THE BASIS OR NATURE OF THE CLAIM, RELATING IN ANY MANNER TO THESE OFFICIAL RULES, THE CONTEST OR THE ENTRANT’S PARTICIPATION THEREIN, EVEN IF THE SPONSOR OR A RELEASED PARTY WERE EXPRESSLY ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. ALSO NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY, BY PARTICIPATING IN THE CONTEST, THE ENTRANT FURTHER AGREES THAT IN NO EVENT WILL THE LIABILITY OF THE SPONSOR OR ANY RELEASED PARTY RELATING IN ANY MANNER TO THESE OFFICIAL RULES, THE CONTEST OR THE ENTRANT’S PARTICIPATION THEREIN EXCEED THE GREATER OF US$1,000 OR ANY OTHER AMOUNTS PAID BY THE ENTRANT TO ENTER INTO THE CONTEST. SOME JURISDICTIONS MAY NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CERTAIN INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO SOME OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO THE ENTRANT. IN THE EVENT THAT THE PRECEDING RELEASE IS DETERMINED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION TO BE INVALID OR VOID FOR ANY REASON, THE ENTRANT AGREES THAT, BY ENTERING THE CONTEST, (I) ANY AND ALL DISPUTES, CLAIMS, AND CAUSES OR ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONTEST, OR ANY PRIZES AWARDED, SHALL BE RESOLVED INDIVIDUALLY WITHOUT RESORT TO ANY FORM OF CLASS ACTION; AND (II) ANY CLAIMS, JUDGEMENTS AND AWARDS SHALL BE LIMITED TO ACTUAL OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS INCURRED, INCLUDING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH ENTERING THE CONTEST, BUT IN NO EVENT ATTORNEY’S FEES.
  • For the avoidance of doubt, to the extent that law applies, nothing in these Rules shall limit or exclude either party’s liability for fraud, or for death or personal injury caused by its negligence, or any other liability to the extent such liability cannot be excluded or limited as a matter of law.

Privacy

  • Except as otherwise stated herein or as otherwise agreed by the Entrant and the Sponsor, the information communicated by the Entrant in connection with Entry to the Contest will be used for the purposes relating to this Contest, and will not be communicated to third-parties without prior permission. Please refer to our Privacy Policy for further details.

Trademark information

  • The name Metropolitan Planning Council as well as the Metropolitan Planning Council logo are protected under copyright law. Any use of those or any other Sponsor trade mark, service mark, trade name or logo must comply with the Metropolitan Planning Council Trademark Policies.

Jurisdiction/Governing Law

  • Interpretation. In the case of any dispute about the interpretation of the Rules, Sponsor’s decision as to the interpretation shall be final and Entrant shall be bound by Sponsor’s decision.
  • Governing Law. The interpretation and enforcement of these Rules will be governed by the laws of the State of Illinois, USA. The Entrant and the Sponsor agree to the extent permitted by law to submit all disputes arising out of or relating to these Rules or the Contest to, and hereby waive any objection to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of, the state and federal courts located in Cook County, Illinois. Subject to Section 5 above, if necessary any provision of these Rules that is found to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction shall be deemed to be struck out from these Rules.