If you swung by Chicago's Daley Center this morning, you might have seen Illinois PIRG holding a bake sale. The cause? To raise awareness about the large amount of "dough" the city is losing as a result of its parking privatization deal.

It is estimated that Chicago will lose close to $1 billion in future revenue as a result of the decision in late 2008 to lease our 36,000 parking meters for 75 years. Illinois PIRG campaign coordinator Tim Robinson says that lawmakers should no longer turn to short-term budget fixes -- such as proposals to privatize Midway Airport or Chicago's water system -- without considering the long-term effect on taxpayers. "This is urgent and we are making sure there is an appropriate amount of public input," he told us. "There should be something in place to let the public have input and have a third-party organization analyze these deals."  Several aldermen proposed an ordinance to that effect last year, but it's yet to advance.