Representatives of the protest group No Games Chicago met for thirty minutes Tuesday at Chicago’s Fairmont Hotel with six representatives of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
According to a press release, No Games Chicago discussed the “poor economic situation Chicago is in as a potential host city, with astronomical budget deficits on the city and state levels”. Also, “the notorious and publicly embarrassing corruption at various levels of Chicago and Illinois politics were discussed”, said the press release, “as well as the long history of the mismanagement and cost overruns related to mega-construction projects, including Millenium Park, the Block 37 “super-station”, the CHA Plan for Transformation, Soldier Field and more”.
The press release notes that the overall cost of London’s 2012 Games has quadrupled, from an originally projected $2.35 million pounds to $9 billion pounds, while the construction of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Village athletes accommodation alone has put the City of Vancouver at risk of bankruptcy.
The City of Chicago has pledged $500 million towards the Games as an emergency fund, despite running an approximate $200 million deficit while $461 million GBP of a similar fund set up in London for the 2012 Games was depleted in January 2009 to cover cost overruns there.
No Games Chicago says despite an $11.6 billion deficit, the State of Illinois has put $250 million of taxpayer dollars on the line for the Games.
At the end of its presentation No Games Chicago urged the IOC to read and consider Chicago Reader journalist Ben Joravsky’s An Open Letter to the IOC.
The IOC representatives meeting with the group reportedly promised to read the article, listened intently, took copious notes and were very appreciative of the information shared.
