From the article:
Results of the latest parking meter audit by accounting giant KPMG shows meter revenues reached a record $140.4 million last year, up from $136.2 million in 2021 and $91.6 million during the stay-at-home shutdown of 2020…
…With 60 years left on the 75-year lease, Chicago Parking Meters LLC now has recouped its entire $1.16 billion investment and $530 million more.
Very short term thinking by the city on this.