The now-tabled privatization plan for Chicago's Midway Airport cost the city $3.5 million on advisers tasked with providing insight during the bidding process.

Some $1.1 million was divided up among four law firms that are frequently tapped for city bond deals, according to the Chicago Sun-Times: Mayer Brown LLP ($571,393); Cotillas and Associates ($285,721); Pugh, Jones & Johnson ($134,178), and Sanchez Daniels & Hoffman LLP ($118,354).

Airport and technical consultants pulled in $1.05 million of the funds: Ricondo & Associates ($655,461); Avia Solutions ($307,771); Tetra Tech ($85,170), and Connico ($7,777). And more than $875,000 was doled out to consultants: Deloitte ($466,500); Intralinks ($241,750), and American Appraisal ($167,267).

Financial advisors took in some $113,500, with Credit Suisse Securities seeing all but $3,500 of those funds. The Midway Advisory Panel tallied up $350,000 in fees, which was paid out equally to Loop Capital and KPMG.

Ald. Pat O'Connor (40th) defended the cash-strapped city's use of more than $3 million for the failed privatization deal.

“When the stakes are that high, you need to engage smart, informed decision-makers to help you. It’s money that helped protect taxpayers. It was money well spent,” O’Connor told the newspaper.

“It only underscores the point that the mayor really felt this deal wasn’t a good thing for the city. With that expenditure out there, he was still willing to walk away from it.”

The Midway privatization deal was grounded earlier this month after one of two bidders pulled out of the process.