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Privatization
PI Original
by Micah Maidenberg
3:45pm
Wed Sep 1, 2010
1 comment

Chicago's Privatization Debate Hits The Public Health Department

City Hall

It isn't clear why Mayor Daley apparently sought additional contracting powers for the head of a city department earlier this summer. But with privatization worries at an all-time high, public service workers are trying to figure it out.

Quick Hit
by Aricka Flowers
1:17pm
Tue Jul 13, 2010

Chicago's Lost Parking Meter "Dough"

If you swung by Chicago's Daley Center this morning, you might have seen Illinois PIRG holding a bake sale. The cause? To raise awareness about the large amount of "dough" the city is losing as a result of its parking privatization deal.

It is estimated that Chicago will lose close to $1 billion in future revenue as a result of the decision in late 2008 to lease our 36,000 parking meters for 75 years. Illinois PIRG campaign coordinator Tim Robinson says that lawmakers should no longer turn to short-term budget fixes -- such as proposals to privatize Midway Airport or Chicago's water system -- without considering the long-term effect on taxpayers. "This is urgent and we are making sure there is an appropriate amount of public input," he told us. "There should be something in place to let the public have input and have a third-party organization analyze these deals."  Several aldermen proposed an ordinance to that effect last year, but it's yet to advance.

Quick Hit
by Josh Kalven
11:40am
Thu Jun 3, 2010
1 comment

Parking Envy

Parking systems are one of the most potent tools available to city governments.  If used effectively, they can allow urban planners to control congestion, improve local economies, and generate considerable revenue to address infrastructure needs. Unfortunately, Chicago surrendered control over our meters when Mayor Daley and the City Council chose to privatize the system in late 2008.  As a result, residents will likely have to wait a long, long time before seeing any innovative experiments like the SFPark pilot project launching in San Francisco this summer.

The SFPark system uses streetside sensors that wirelessly transmit whether a parking space is occupied or not.  The benefits of this real-time data are fascinating: Those look for parking can find empty spots using their mobile devices; the city can employ a "demand-responsive" pricing system that increases or decreases parking rates depending on the current degree of congestion; and enforcement officers can quickly identify violators.

It's an experiment worth keeping an eye on. 

Quick Hit
by Adam Doster
5:00pm
Mon May 3, 2010

"The Heart Of Chicago"

This week, lawmakers in Springfield will debate how to revamp and revitalize Chicago's struggling convention business. House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) says he's looking into privatizing the public authority that runs McCormick Place, a move supported by the General Assembly's chief adviser on the topic. (Check out his full list of recommendations here.)

Members of UNITE HERE Local 1 -- still locked in a bitter contract dispute with the city's major hotel operators -- are taking matters into their own hands. Below is a slick video featuring local hospitality workers promoting Chicago as a vacation and convention destination. Watch it:

The union is sponsoring a contest to name the video, which will "involve the public ... in promoting Chicago." Click here for more information.

Quick Hit
by Adam Doster
9:44am
Wed Apr 21, 2010
1 comment

Save The Water System

After enduring public wrath over the parking meter controversy, the topic of privatization has died down for the time being at City Hall. Consumer advocates, however, know Mayor Daley could move to sell off a major city asset at a moment's notice. To prepare, they've been busy looking into the hidden and delayed costs of privatization.

At a packed forum Monday night, Illinois PIRG and Food and Water Watch released the results of a new study examining the cost to taxpayers of selling off the city's water system. According to their research, consumers would pay $2 to $3 dollars for every $1 the city would receive in an up-front payment. On hand was Chicago Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward) who touted the Asset Lease Taxpayer Protection Ordinance he introduced last year. It's a measure that deserves attention.