Chicago to Install New Parking Meters to Lessen Impact of Bad Contract

The city of Chicago will install 752 new parking meters in 2017—but still fall far from the Shoupian ideal.

1 minute read

November 29, 2016, 12:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Chicago Tow Truck

Steve Hamann / Shutterstock

"Drivers who rely on free street parking spots will likely have to feed a meter in the coming months under a plan approved by the City Council as part of the 2017 budget," reports Heather Cherone and Tanveer Ali.

That's because the budget approves a plan to install 752 new parking meters around the city, including 153 in the Loop. The additional $5.4 million generated by the new meters (and new parking rates in neighborhoods surrounding Wrigley Field) will contribute to the $12 million contract with the company that leases the city's meter system. Chicago's deal to privatize the city's parking meters is an infamous example of unintended consequences.

Tuesday, November 29, 2016 in DNAinfo Chicago

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