CHICAGO - The city has filed for permission to lease its Midway Airport to a private contractor, a move Chicago officials say could increase revenue without raising taxes

Officials filed a preliminary application with the  Federal Aviation Administration on Thursday under a pilot program that will let up to five U.S. airports be leased or sold, officials said. The program allows for only one large commercial hub.

"By filing our preliminary application, it's a placeholder for that hub spot," said Dana Levenson, the city's chief financial officer.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060915/ap_on_re_us/midway_airport_privatization