21/ On the right of the diagram, you’re seeing the beneficiaries of these contributions. Again, we’ve named names. They include a few who’ve have been implicated in recent federal corruption cases (e.g., Ed Burke, Michael Madigan).

20/ In the middle of the diagram, you’re seeing the affiliated political office for these contributions. These offices are far from random. They include IL House Speaker, Mayor, and City Council + key committee positions that define the legislative agenda.

19/ URT & its Board made more than 300 contributions totaling nearly $300k to over 100 political actors throughout Illinois. On the left of the diagram, you’re seeing who made the donation on behalf of URT. We named names so you can see the top donors.

18/ Now URT is among the largest dispatchers in the world. It’s a politically connected company too. We looked at campaign contributions the firm and its Board of Directors made b/t 1994-2022. The list of recipients amounts to a “who’s who” of Illinois-based politicians.

16/ The pattern of dispossession, here, is worth emphasis. Whereas theories of punishment often discuss the punished like they’re “surplus” populations or “urban outcasts,” the implication is that they stand outside the economy. We highlight how racial precarity is leveraged for profitability.

14/ Over 2-in-3 dispossessions were parked in majority Black/Latinx communities. John Bigg’s neighborhood, Austin, had the most dispossessions. It’s the same disinvested space where past mayor & current ambassador to Japan, @rahmemanuel.bsky.social, shuttered 4 of 50 schools in 2013.

11/ There is no statute of limitations on ticket-related debt in Chicago. It follows the common law doctrine of nullum tempus occurrit regi, which translates as “no time runs against the king.” Rachel Dratch knows what I’m talking about.

7/ When drivers don’t pay their parking tickets in 14 days (or setup an appeal in 21), Chicago’s Finance Dept imposes a late penalty. The fine doubles from $60 to $120, and a 22% collections fee can be added to what you owe. The debt now stands at $878.

6/ Should you not make good on your debt, which means full payment or a payment plan, your car stays at the pound racking up storage fees with each passing day. On day 6, storage fees jump from $20 to $35 per day. It’s been less than a week. You owe the city $345.

5/ Towing-related debt inconveniences some. It devastates others. Let me walk you how fast this debt spirals out of control. Snow-related tows can be subject to a $60 parking fine, a $150 towing fine, and a $20 daily storage fee for impoundment. Your initial debt is $230.

4/ The thing is there’s not just one John Biggs in Chicago. There are many. More than 9k cars are towed every year for snow-related restrictions. Less than 1-in-4 occur on days of actual accumulation. About 1% of these tows are never reclaimed.

3/ There were no signs on the block that said parking was prohibited. Even the closest one a block away was no help. The words were unreadable, faded from the elements. It’s a common thing in Chicago. Here’s one I saw recently near @pilsencommbooks.bsky.social.