The Blog

Fran Spielman: "If aldermen 'negatively impact' meter revenue, the private operator will have to be 'made whole.'" Does anyone have details? I assume it's from the contract attached as an exhibit to the ordinance -- any chance of posting that contract? I can't get a copy out of the city clerk's office or my alderman's.

"This is very troubling to me. My understanding of our obligation as a legislative branch, is to consider the legislation put before us by the executive branch, the executive branch proposes, the legislative disposes, and disposition, as I said, involves, review, reflection, evaluation. No way we can do this because we are supposed to take care of this in 72 hours. What troubles me, I could give the same speech alderman Allen gave about the Midway airport deal, the same speech. Asked to do these in such a hurry we can't really meet our obligation as a legislative body. It makes us partners in our own marginalization. I find that troubling, and I will vote no." -ALd. Toni Preckwinkle (4th) wow that's almost like a, like a flicker of self-awareness naw, probably a fluke

"My understanding of our obligation as a legislative branch, is to consider the legislation put before us by the executive branch, the executive branch proposes, the legislative disposes ... " I suppose the legislative branch proposing once in a while would be too much to ask

I support Mayor Daley. We need all the help we can get. MAyor Daley supports gay rights, the Catholic Church does not.

as Belushi said: "How much for the girl, the women, how much for the women? Your women, I want to buy your women, the little girl, your daughters, sell them to be. Sell me your children" That is what you will hear from DALEY next.

A 3-decades+ alderman blames 2 decades of City Council inaction for the problem. "The problem is that people stay at a meter too long, and the purpose of the meter is to move traffic, not to have people staying at a meter constantly. ... So basically, we are setting it up for the quick shopper. That's good for the store keeper. ... we haven't raised the cost of meters in 20 years" -Ald. Berny Stone (50th)

Hey hugh!!! We have a viable city . If you have a problem paying to live in a world class why don't you hit Highway # 94 and don't stop until you reach Detroit. Also take take loud mouth Coconate with you,and please don't come back.

bill daley jr pads his wallet! and of course .. we can't blame the city for jacked up parking rates anymore .. it's privately owned! richie has his money and he's wiping his hands clean.

Is there anyway as a resident of this city I could buy some of its infrastructure?

From the Second City Cop blog: "Hey, A little off track here but, in regard to Mayor Daley continuing to lease/sell off public assets, is anyone (MEDIA...MEDIA...MEDIA/CITIZEN...CITIZEN...CITIZEN) noticing that there is no mention that in privatizing these public functions and assets, you have the ability to delete TRANSPARENCY. Think about it... Can you FOIA a private entity? Think about it... Who really benefits from this private entity? Layering corporations is just one way to hide who really benefits. Think about it... Who do private companies answer too? Shareholders? Think about it... why, if we as taxpayers paid to complete these assets, why are we charged for their use, again? Think about it... How do you put together a patronage army that can bypass federal mandates (i.e. Shakman) Think about it... corruption shadows his (Mayor Daley) every step. Pervasive fraud. Wide ranging federal investigations into hiring and contracts. Numerous indictments at city hall including top level senior administrators. HDO promotions and campaign work, etc... This is reposted from a Jan 5, 2006 tribune article by Jodi Wilgoren who was addressing, back then, a 48 Million dollar overrun of expense for a O'Hare Terminal renovation. Here is the link: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/06/national/06chicago.html?_r=1 Think about it... how can you always not know? Family members benefiting from city pensions or other assets (truck scandal). How many times do close personal friends benefit to the tune of millions on our (taxpaying surfs) backs? THE BIGGEST STORY THAT IS NOT BEING TOLD, IN MY OPINION, IS THAT THE MINIMAL TRANSPARENCY THAT EXISTS NOW FOR PUBLIC FUNDS AND ASSETS, AND HOW THEY ARE MANAGED, IS GOING TO BE WIPED OUT BY THIS NEW PLOY TO 'PRIVATIZE' CITY SERVICES. Remember... the Mayor has advocated privatization and the quickest way to get there is by selling, or should I say, leasing our infrastructure to private entities. Think about it... then inform yourself... then inform others. By the way... maybe our bargaining unit should start to lobby for legal investigation of alderman. How can we have a law that does not allow scrutiny of our governing body... are we in Russia? Even the police are vigorously investigated. 12/04/2008 09:37:00 PM"

Coconate is right about Meter Deal...... Dear Frank, On Thursday, the City of Chicago signed a 75 year lease of our citywide parking meters with Morgan Stanley/Chicago Parking Meters LLC for $1.15 billion. I voted against the sale of this public asset because it was a bad deal for Chicago. On Monday, we received word from the Mayor's Office that a deal was to be signed with Morgan Stanley. While I did receive the draft ordinance, no financial analysis was forthcoming, so my staff and I put together our own financial analysis to determine if the $1.15 Billion was a good deal or not. According to our analysis, the city would receive about $1.5 Billion if we sold as is. If we quadruple the prices of some meters, as Morgan Stanley will do on January 1, 2009, and increase again by 2013, our analysis shows that the actual value over 75 years is closer to $4 Billion. During the Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday, I argued that the city was not getting a good deal, and that at a minimum the Council should see the City's numbers. They instead argued our numbers were wrong (without having seen them). I was then told I could see some numbers, but not before the vote. That refusal to provide financial data sealed my NO vote. Morgan Stanley and LAZ Operators will raise meters from $3/hr to $3.50 Jan.1, and to $6.50/hr by 2013. Neighborhood parking rates that are typically $.25/hr increase to $1/hr on Jan. 1 and increase to $2 by 2013. After 2013, the City must raise rates by a yearly inflation rate to meet contract requirements. The City still receives the increased revenue from enforcement, but the parking meter revenue stream is lost for 75 years. While the City receives a quick shot in the arm of $1.15 Billion, I believe the alternative; a long term revenue stream from well managed City owned meters would have been a better deal for parking meter users and taxpayers. Selling a major asset that is designed as an urban planning traffic tool while providing a positive revenue stream is simply wrongheaded. Furthermore, the fact that we fail to maintain a decent cash reserve for a city our size is awful, and I argued during budget hearings that the FY 2009 $1.5 Million reserve (one point five million) was further indication of the need for major structural reforms in the city finances. (This week's snowfall cleanup cost us about $500,000 for one day, and it is not yet 2009.)

"I support Mayor Daley. We need all the help we can get. MAyor Daley supports gay rights, the Catholic Church does not." You really think he supports gay rights? Why not perform marriages if he is so supportive? He has fooled you like he fools every different group in this city. He plays politics to stay in power period.

too bad no one has the balls to ever run against daley. hell, hardly anyone, except for waguespack and preckwinkle, even has the balls to question city hall's deals. it's daley's city, we just live in it.

I think if a municipal leader such as Daley were to perform a marriage, it would be quickly overturned. Also, if you read about the benefits of City employees, many benefits are extended to partners. And the requirements are not very stringent. This seems to be in support of some gay rights.

The Chicago taxpayer will have a Mayoral candidate in 2011, who will rip daley apart!

$324 million was placed in a "rainy day fund". Are we expecting lots of rain during the Chicago Olympics?

Hey to Daley and all his bisexual friends and relatives. The Chicago's gay community is not progressive. Bil daley's divorce records were sealed to protect his sexual desires. I still believe live and let live. But when Daley's minions gay or straight,step on my rights ,this means war. Morgan Stanley,Bill Daley and even both Presidents,conspire to assist Daley in his repression.

Bill Daley's desire are the result of getting straight activities to easy. Lets talk about Levine and Daley at the Purple Hotel. Gulp and swallow.

The mayor needs to see an ophthalmologist. He has a bad case of short sighted vision. Whoever succeeds mayor Daley is screwed. Where will his revenue come from? You can't keep squeezing property owners. They are tapped out. Nice work in privatizing another review source for the city.

All of Daley's privatization deals (Tollway, Midway, Parking, Meters, etc) violate Art. VII, Section 9 of the Illinois Constitution that specifically states: SECTION 9. SALARIES AND FEES (a) Compensation of officers and employees and the office expenses of units of local government shall not be paid from fees collected. Fees may be collected as provided by law and by ordinance and shall be deposited upon receipt with the treasurer of the unit. Fees shall not be based upon funds disbursed or collected, nor upon the levy or extension of taxes. All of Daley's deals allow for fees collected to be deposited with the private companies to compensate the salaries of those in the company. THIS IS SPECIFICALLY BARRED BY THIS SECTION OF THE ILLINOIS CONSTITUTION.

Please people of chgo.Vote daley out while we still have a right to call chgo home.And lets not forget his aderman chickens.Let start no daley zone of chicago.The only thing free in chgo.is weight scale on La salle st side of city hall.