Chicago just agreed to pay another $15.5 million to the private company that controls our parking meters. That company has already made hundreds of millions from a deal the public never approved. It’s time to put a stop to it.

The original 75-year lease gave away control of Chicago’s public parking meters to private investors, including foreign firms. They have already earned back their investment many times over. Now, when the city tries to protect residents or ease up during a crisis, the company can sue for lost profits and win.

This latest payout came from a pandemic-era decision to help residents. Instead of standing with the people, Chicago is handing more taxpayer money to private interests.

Enough is enough.

We are calling on Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago City Council to review every dollar paid out, explore all legal options to renegotiate this deal, and make sure nothing like this happens again.

Our public space should serve the public. Not investors. Not lawsuits. Not profit margins.

Sign the petition to demand action and bring accountability back to Chicago’s streets.