The transition from public to private management of the parking meters has been rocky since Chicago Parking Meters, LLC took over at the beginning of the year. Problems have included broken meters, mislabeled meters, and meters that charge the wrong hourly rate. At a hearing Monday, some aldermen suggested that the issues amount to deceptive business practices that may constitute grounds for terminating their contract. Mayor Daley yesterday took responsibility for some of the problems that arose from the deal and challenged reporters who questioned its feasibility.

The Chicago Reader publishes a report that finds the city may have leased the meters for a figure much lower than it’s worth. Reporter Mick Dumke, who co-wrote the piece with Ben Joravsky, explains what they found.

Music Button: Rolfe Kent, “Asphalt Groovin’” from the CD Sideways: Original Motion Picture Score, (New Line records)

Related:
“Fail: Part One”
“Fail: Part Two”