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Blackhawks Parade Cost $200,000, Covered By Sponsors

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Jun 16, 2010 8:20PM

The City announced today that the Blackhawks' victory parade cost $200,000 to put on last Friday, costs that were off-set by around $210,000 in sponsor donations from ComEd, Bud Light, the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) and Harris Bank. Special Events Director Megan McDonald told the Sun-Times, “It didn’t cost the taxpayers anything, which we’re very proud of. That’s what we try to do with every event. The goal was not to charge the Blackhawks because this was a party for them ... That would have been like having a surprise party for your best friend and making her pick up the bar bill.” The cost was more than the Oprah taping last fall (under $55,000) but far less than Obama's Grant Park victory rally on Election Night in 2008 ($1.74 million). Since the parade happened during the day, there was no need to pay overtime for the Chicago Police officers working the parade, according to McDonald.