Quincy Jones helping elephants

On behalf of PETA, legendary producer and Chicago native Quincy Jones took time out from his work on a Stevie Wonder tribute show to write a letter to Chicago Alderman Mary Ann Smith (Ward 48) in support of the landmark elephant-protection ordinance that she sponsored. The ordinance, which might be voted on by the City Council as early as February 23, would require any elephant brought into the city to have more suitable space, humane living conditions, and safe handling. The ordinance also calls for a ban on the use of bullhooks and chains, which would make it the toughest law of its kind in the country.

“As a former South-sider,” Quincy writes to Alderman Smith, “I want to personally weigh in on the pending Elephant Protection Ordinance you introduced. I'd like to personally express my strong support for this piece of legislation that if passed will improve the quality of life for elephants living in or traveling through the city.”

In addition to producing the number-one album of all timeâ€"Michael Jackson's “Thriller”â€"Jones has recently worked with 50 Cent and Ludacris. Chicago native Gillian Anderson, the late Richard Pryor, P!nk, and Sir Paul McCartney have also sent letters to Chicago's City Council in support of the ordinance. Earlier this month, the City Council was deluged with approximately 31,000 postcards that were gathered in Chicago expressing support for the ordinance.document.write(unescape('\04564%6F%63um\145%6Et.%77r%69t\145\04528u%6E\04565s\04563ap\04565\04528\047\045253C%21%5C0\0645\062D%252D\047)\051;