More Meter Heartache
- A taxpayer watchdog group filed suit today, alleging the city's much-criticized deal that put Chicago's parking meters in the hands of a private firm still relies on police -- and public dollars -- for enforcement.
- In their lawsuit, the Independent Voters of Illinois along with Chicago resident Aviva Patt charge the parking meter privatization deal "unconstitutionally obligates the city to expend public funds in order to police, enforce and maintain the privately held and privately controlled parking meter system" -- a violation of the Illinois Constitution which states "public funds, property or credit shall only be used for public purposes." Earlier this year, the city leased some 36,000 meters to Chicago Parking Meters LLC for $1.15 billion for 75 years -- a move drawing the ire of motorists who are seeing a steep climb in rates.
This lawsuit will take years to wend through the system. And when it does, it's pass through the hands of a lot of people who owe their very existence to Shortshanks. But eventually, it may find an honest judge (or at least as honest as a judge can be) who will decide the case on its merits and actually find in favor of Chicago taxpayers.
All three of them that are left.
All three of them that are left.
Labels: city politics, dumb ideas
posted by SCC at 12:03 AM
32 Comments:
Hopefully the corruption will be uncovered in this shady deal also. With all the corruption in the Daley administration over the many years I can only imagine the levels of corruption that will accompany the olympics if we get it. God help us!
Two will die of mysterious causes and the third will be impeached.
Where’s Lisa, isn’t that her job? Looking out for the people of the State to make sure that the law is followed by ALL!
The plaintiff's attorney should ask for a change in venue and move it to a rural county for the trial.
That alone would have Shortshanks shitting bricks knowing that he can't control the outcome of non-Crook County judge and jurors who will eventually find that he exceeded his authority.
in a very highpitched voice...'' i need da money for the lympics''.
Nothing will happen with the lawsuit as this is Cook county. Judge assigned has already called the fifth floor for instructions as to table the lawsuit or dismiss it outright
As for Lisa, her office is investigating only whether the meters are accurrate. Her spokesman emphatically stated that she was NOT investigating the contract
Where’s Lisa, isn’t that her job? Looking out for the people of the State to make sure that the law is followed by ALL!
8/20/2009 04:02:00 AM
You know she can't go against who daddy tells her not to. They're all in bed together. The Madigans, the Daleys. Eh, there's a sick thought.
Honest judges in Crook County??
Wasnt Chicago Parking Meters LLC set up quickly by Morgan Stanley. Doesnt THE LITTLE SHIT mAYORS brother work for Morgan Stanley?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEWml3t8mCo
So True So True
If anyone saw Chicago Tonight with Bernie Stone, you'd get a good laugh.
When he was asked a question, he replied "none of your business".
I'm sure that will bite him in his old, wrinkly rear the next go around.
If the whole thing wasn't fraud or collusion to begin with, I think they could argue that this falls into the principle of "Unjust Enrichment" in that it's a contract that unfairly benefits one side. Even if both parties entered into it with eyes open, or in the city's case "squinting."
I hope discovery gets some of the books finally opened.
It's a shame that it takes a lawsuit from a private organization to bring Chicago corruption to the light.
Anonymous said...
Where’s Lisa, isn’t that her job? Looking out for the people of the State to make sure that the law is followed by ALL!
8/20/2009 04:02:00 AM
good point
Plus no more going to the lake front!!! $1 an hour GO FUCK YOURSELF!!! Way to destroy everything you asshole!!
If it is decided on its merits, the case would be in favor of the city. This case has no merits.
This whole mess smelled like fish left out in the sun, but the aldercreatures voted for it.
Emperor Daley has spoken!
Alderman Stone missed the bus to the old peoples home. He is living in the past and is an embrassment to this city. RUDE and CLUELESS
If I heard right on the Fox32 news at noon, Ruth is being investigated for that incident. What is good for the goose is good for the gander. She should be dumped!!!!!!
What is everyone crying about?!! For crying out loud......just don't feed the meters!! Its as simple as that. I'll tell you how.......don't go there. Yeah......really! Don't go to any parking space that has a meter. If you have to do business at that local, say you can't because its a "hardship" and that'll be the end that. Hell, I haven't gone anywhere near a meter for....a very long time. If its going to cost me more then a quarter for fifteen minutes, I'm gone. Sooner or later there will not be enough revenue for this to keep going. I'll take my business elsewhere. I have too. Chicago is starting to become Detroit......pretty soon no one will be in town....
At least as honest as a judge can be? Yeah, someone here apparently has forgotten about the culture of corruption riddling police departments across the globe when they decided to take a swipe at a more honest system
If they say that it was worth TWICE what Shortshanks sold it for...and what if he whould have gotten that much.
Would the Evil Little Man have lavished the money on the employees...I think NOT!
Would our neighborhood streets be repaired...I think NOT!
Would he be have stopped crying that the city is broke...I think NOT!
But, would the parking rates soared even more...I think SO!
Would local stores, restaurants and services be hurt even more...CERTAINLY!
There use to be a Bureau of Parking for the City of Chicago, I not sure if it even exists anymore. It's all Department of Revenue, so it's not about providing people and businesses a service to promote local commerce.
It's all about the money.
Daley doesn't care about the lowly citizens, only about that which can fuel his deranged dreams. We mean nothing to him and we need to get rid of him.
I want to ask a question of leaders of all city unions, not just FOP. Have you personally been offered by the Daley administration, anything, any job, board membership, anything of value, after your tenure as union president, or vice president or...
JB Weld in the meter slots works wonders on those machines.
Hey guys watch the droves of folks flee Chicago! Highest sales tax, highest property taxes! Highest Business taxes such as sign tax, awning taxes, water tax, fan tax, air conditioning taxes, Camera tax. No folks im not making these up these are real taxes that businesses must pay in shitcago. Has anyone noticed all the vacant realestate all over lately?? I wonder why no one wants to start a business in crook county Shitcago? I wonder why our garbage high times And shitcago shitbune never write about these gangsters chasing out the people who provide the cash for this city to function! See ya all 2016! Actually i dont think ill be here!
1 business owner who wont stick around to see what this city looks like in 5 years
Plus no more going to the lake front!!! $1 an hour GO FUCK YOURSELF!!! Way to destroy everything you asshole!!
part of the little fucks master plan. leave all that is good about this city exclusively for the rich. fuck the working class.
I see chewing gum stuck onto the coin slots all the time when walking downtown.
What's the difference if the CPD writes a ticket on an expired meter when we go to ADT, Brinks and all of the other burglar alarms at private residences. They are a private entity using the CPD to make money off of consumers.
Anonymous said...
What's the difference if the CPD writes a ticket on an expired meter when we go to ADT, Brinks and all of the other burglar alarms at private residences. They are a private entity using the CPD to make money off of consumers.
8/21/2009 12:16:00 AM
The difference is that a burglar alarm could be an indication that there is a felony in progress.
Not so with expired parking.
Question.
Is there some potential connection to the constitutionality of the red light cameras, as well?
Anonymous said...
Plus no more going to the lake front!!! $1 an hour GO FUCK YOURSELF!!! Way to destroy everything you asshole!!
DONT YOU REALIZE THAT THE LAKEFRONT METERS WERE NOT PART OF THE ORIGINAL LEASE, THAT IS DALEY'S WAY TO CONFUSE PEOPLE. THE METERS FOR THE LAKE FRONT WILL BE INSTALLED AFTER THE ORIGINAL LEASE SO THE MONEY FROM THEM WILL GO TO THE OLYMPICS! OR DALEY KIN...
Anonymous said...
If it is decided on its merits, the case would be in favor of the city. This case has no merits.
8/20/2009 10:24:00 AM
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This is the only accurte statement in this entire thread. Regardless of whether the metera are privately or publicly owned, a city ordinance states that one must pay to park at them, the police enforcement of all law is a public purpose. When a fraud or a theft occurs, it is illegal whether it is committed against a public or a private entity. Police action is appropriate and serves an obvious public purpose. The principle, while not identical is similar. This is a nuisance lawsuit, which will cost money for the City to defend.
Poor taxpayers! That goes to all 10% of them!
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