CHICAGO — The deal to keep Lollapalooza in Chicago for at least the next decade includes a complete revamp of how festival producers will pay the Park District, tighter restrictions that keep competing music festivals out of Grant Park and no provisions for investment in the grounds except a $100,000 tennis court renovation.
One alderman questioned whether the terms are in the city’s best interest and called the deal a “missed opportunity ... to ensure proper taxpayer compensation.”
Though Mayor Lori Lightfoot took the stage during this year’s fest to announce to cheering fans that the flagship music festival would remain in Chicago, her office and the Park District had not shared all the specifics of the agreement with C3 Presents, which puts on the Lollapalooza, nor confirmed whether a contract had been signed.
