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Planet Money
Planet Money

When Chicago pawned its parking meters

Dec 12, 2025 · 30m
AI Summary
  • Chicago Mayor Daley leased the city's 36,000 parking meters to private companies for $1.16 billion in 2008
  • The winning bid involved complex financial engineering to maximize upfront cash for the budget-strapped city
  • The deal became widely hated, involving disputes, stolen documents, and long-term consequences for Chicago

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