Chicago may soon have only city hall

The City of Chicago budget crisis is a direct result of mismanagement and malfeasance by our elected officials.

The sale of land and then repurchase of it at five times the sale price; hiring of attorneys for city litigation that could be or should be resolved by the Corporation Counsel's office; patronage and executive salaries well above national averages; expenditure of funds to promote the Olympics and additional cost as this venture continues; millions in legal fees that will accompany gun legislation suits and the private museum in Grant Park; several million to refurbish Buckingham fountain; and the increase in sales tax that drives consumers to other cities, counties and states for purchases which will reduce tax revenue and require even higher taxes.

The sale of assets such as Midway Airport, parking meters and other revenue sources is the short-term approach and that money will soon be gone.

Revenue from these assents will continue but not to the city coffers and before you know it, the city will have nothing left to sell except city hall and that might not be a bad idea.

John Culloton

Chicago