Mayor Daley Wants to Privatize the Taste of Chicago

The 30-year-old Taste of Chicago food festival that brings in millions may be up for privatization if it's left up to Mayor Richard M. Daley. Daley's plan is to help eliminate the city's $654.7 million debt. In addition to privatizing curbside recycling, fleet management and animal care, the Taste of Chicago was the one that Chicagoans seem the most surprised about but I'm not.

I usually attend the Taste of Chicago festivities two or three times per year, but after the July 3rd fireworks were canceled in 2010 and merged into July 4th fireworks by Navy Pier, I knew this one was coming. I didn't even attend the 2010 event, even though some of my favorite artists would be there like Salt n' Pepa, simply due to money constraints. So if I couldn't come due to my own budget, why wouldn't I expect the city to do the same?

Every time I turn on the news, I hear about furlough days--involuntary unpaid days off--from city workers. Mayor Daley already approved 15 furlough days for non-union city workers and says he took a $20,000 pay cut.

Alderman Tom Allen, 38th ward, does not agree with Daley's decision, according to the Sun Times. In his opinion, a democracy means "citizens own the government--not Waste Management or JAM Productions."

When private companies take over the city, sometimes that leaves unhappy locals. There was a disaster with the 75-year, $1.15 billion deal that left 36,000 parking meters in Chicago privatized. Parking meter rates went up, meters were broken and tickets were given.

Could the Taste of Chicago tickets go up next year? Will the Taste of Chicago tickets still be $8 for 12 tickets at the ticket booths and $6 for 12 tickets at Dominick's grocery stores or will the prices rise? Will the entertainment still be free at the Petrillo Music Shell? Will the entrance fee to Grant Park still be free? Will the Taste of Chicago even be at Grant Park? Will suburban restaurants be banned from participating in the citywide event for a second year? All of these questions will be up for debate should private companies take ownership of this event.

The only problem I have with Daley's plan is that it gives private companies too much control about Chicago employment. Working at the Taste of Chicago is a summer job many people count on, especially college students and those seeking temporary employment. When companies are privatized, that gives the company the option to hire and not hire who it pleases and could lead to lower pay and a change in hiring practices. Could, not would, but it could.

While Mayor Daley may be trying to save money for the city, this decision could leave some people who work in the booths, set up tents and organize talent in the unemployment line. But on that same note, the Taste of Chicago only runs for a couple of weeks so workers should be looking for additional employment anyway.

Privatizing the Taste of Chicago may lead to less tourists, which leads to less outside funds for the city and into the pockets of private business owners. But if Mayor Daley can't find alternate ways to to raise $654.7 million, then I can certainly deal with compromising for a food festival.