The great sell-off: Chicago auctions city assets | Christian Science Monitor | 6/24/2009
The city is auctioning private assets to the highest bidder. But private ownership of parking meters stirs a backlash.
By Mark Guarino | Correspondent
June 24, 2009 - No city in America beats Chicago when it comes to selling public assets - garages, bridges, even parking meters - and contracting with private companies to supply traditional public services.Over the past five years, the Windy City under Mayor Richard M. Daley has sold or leased out public institutions such as the Chicago Skyway ($1.83 billion), underground garages beneath Grant and Millennium Parks ($563 million), and, more recently, city parking meters ($1.15 billion).