City Cast Chicago logo
Display Ad: Enjoy Illinois, Meet in the middle
August 5, 2024

The Worst Deal Chicago Ever Made

City Cast Chicago

The Worst Deal Chicago Ever Made

00:00:00
View all City Cast Chicago episodes

West Loop lost a lot of free parking this summer, which has us talking about the city’s infamous parking meter deal. In 2008, City Council voted to privatize Chicago’s parking meters for 75 years in return for $1 billion. But in the years since, analysis after analysis has shown the meters were worth much more, and the city lost out on revenues while investors earn a profit as Chicagoans pay some of the highest parking rates in the country. While he was at the Reader, Block Club Chicago reporter and editor Mick Dumke investigated the deal after it first passed. He tells host Jacoby Cochran why Chicago went for it, who challenged it, and how we feel the effects today.


Some good news: Chappell Roan’s local weightlifters at Lollapalooza


If you enjoyed today's interview with Ravinia Festival's Artistic Director, Erik Soderstrom, learn more here.

Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter

Follow us @citycastchicago

You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246

Learn more about the sponsors of this Aug. 5 episode:

Become a member of City Cast Chicago.

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE 

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Chicago

Stay connected to City Cast Chicago and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
June 10

Public Pools Open Next Week. Plus, Chicago’s New Women’s Sports Bar

Most of the city’s 77 public pools, 200 water features, and Chicago’s only inland beach are all opening next Friday. Plus, we’ve got more...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
June 9

Red Line Weekend Detour and Ultimate Summer Guide

Red Line trains will be rerouted to elevated tracks for the third straight weekend due to maintenance work in the Loop subway. Executive...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
June 8

Who's Running For Mayor? Plus, Bears Pick Hammond?!

Chicago’s mayoral election is nine months away. Last week, Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza became the first major candidate to make t...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
June 5

Why Chicago Libraries Got It All. Plus, Are The Bears Still Ours?

Chicago is opening its 82nd public library branch in June, and loaning out books is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what the...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
June 4

How the City Is Helping Chicagoans Buy Houses and Read More Books

Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Department of Housing are launching a new $21 million housing program to provide down payment and closing a...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
June 3

City Buying Greyhound Station. Plus, Chicago’s Lesbian Business Directory

For almost two years, there have been questions about the future of Chicago’s downtown bus terminal. Flix, the parent company of Greyhoun...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
June 2

What Happened in Springfield? Plus, Dreaming of Summer Break

What did lawmakers get done in Springfield? A $56 billion budget, a cellphone ban in schools, relief for those who lost SNAP benefits, an...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
June 1

Your Guide to June 2026 in Chicago

June is officially summertime Chi in our world, so we’re going to help you make the most of it. Host Jacoby Cochran is joined by contribu...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
May 29

School Board Hopefuls, Traffic Court Confusion, and Murakami Homers Again … And Again

This year, for the first time, Chicago will fully elect the 21-person school board. Candidates had to get their petitions in this week wi...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art
May 28

A Chicago Mayor and Pope Walk Into a Schlitz Bar…

Mayor Brandon Johnson is in Vatican City this week to meet Chicago’s very own Pope Leo XIV for the first time. The two are expected to di...

City Cast Chicago podcast episode art