Around town, Chicagoans are boiling over the hike in the parking meter prices.
Around town, Chicagoans are boiling over the hike in the parking meter prices.
Many people do not seem to understand that the increase was a done deal in 2008.
Aldermen were given two days to review the parking meter lease deal – which netted the city a quick $1.2 billion and turned over its 4,200 parking boxes and 600 meters to a private company – that included the annual, incremental hikes. Some aldermen, after rubberstamping approval for the mayor’s proposed deal, poked their mouths out and cried foul over the short window they were given for review before voting. Still, they said yes – as they usually do.
For residents, the time to deal with issues is when they are laid out on the table.
Unfortunately for motorists who have to dole out more money to park at city meters, the deal is done. Mayor Richard Daley and the aldermen will not be as impacted by the hike. All of the parking they may pay, as part of their work, is paid for by taxpayers.
Though that deal is done – and many others that came to the chagrin of already-struggling residents – an election is approaching.
On Feb. 2, voters will have an opportunity to show politicians what the deal really is. Voters in districts where crime, unemployment and other depressing factors are rampant will be able to make their voice heard at the ballot box. Voters can ill-afford to have their own rubber stamp, continuing to elect incumbent leaders who work counter to their constituents. Incumbents often run unopposed or against supposed longshots who lack a lot of money and name recognition but whose platform and leadership should bear even a cursory review from voters, rather than summary dismissal.
Voters should be gearing up to head to polls to send the message that their plight – from unaffordable parking meter costs to ravaging high unemployment – needs to be adequately addressed.
While this election cycle does not include any aldermanic races, that does not mean aldermen cannot be sent a message. It is not enough that the mayor has admitted that the sale of the meters was botched. Residents are paying for that mistake, and elected officials should be made to pay as well.
We agree that the people have been taxed and hiked enough. It is time to hold the line on increases – including the raises aldermen and other elected officials got last year, as their constituents got pink slips.
Elected officials are taken care of by the people. It is time for them to take care of the people.
But only the people can force them to do that. That nudge or shove happens only in the voting booth.
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