The administration of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says that the city can generate $18 million next year through leasing billboards on city-owned property, and also letting corporations place ads on downtown trash bins. Lois Scott, the city's chief financial officer told WBEZ that the city is also finalizing a corporate sponsor for its recycling program. Emanuel pledged in April that Chicago's recycling program will finally go citywide in 2013.

The $18 million figure is a small slice of the city budget. But Emanuel could lease the billboards for 20 years, with the city and a private contractor splitting future revenue.