Clout Parking

Of course, it's all the fault of the police:

• Chicago police officers in a special detail unit called "The Wolf Pack" are supposed to serve and protect by patrolling high crime areas. But CBS 2 Investigator Pam Zekman found them helping people with clout and connections get prime parking spots at special events. For at least part of their day, these officers serve and park.
  
  Getting to the game can be a pain and parking can be very expensive.
  
  But CBS 2 found VIPs with clout get to park for free in no parking zones right under the watchful eyes of Chicago police officers. What's more: police officers and firemen can take advantage of the free parking simply by flashing a badge.

The list of clout parkers is impressive:

• Alderman Ray Suarez, for one, says he's taken advantage of what he called "courtesy parking
• Edward McElroy, a longtime friend of the Daley family and public relations consultant, is a frequent VIP parker.
• At U.S. Cellular Field, the VIPs included state senator Kimberly Lightford. She and her friend parked right under a "No Parking" sign.
• Joe Kotlarz, the former alderman and state representative, who served three months in prison for stealing tollway funds in the '90s. But apparently he's still got clout.

And here's a good one:

• Those with privileged parking spots weren't anxious to talk either, like Ken Hauser, vice president of the Chicago Police Pension Board.

Gee. And a Pension Board Meeting coming up this Wednesday. Perhaps some retirees would like to have a little chat with their representative? This could explain a number of his votes that seem to go along with the City wishes.