We need cheap downtown parking in Chicago. But all the area hotels charge $30+ per night...at least the ones we've found. Any suggestions, tricks of the trade for affordable parking?

Is there an abundance of parkeing lots not associated with hotels? Are they affordable? Will they steal my car like they did to that Ferris Bueller kid?

I know San Francisco had high hotel rates, but had general ramps about town at half the price.

"....Will they steal my car like they did that Ferris Bueller kid"?

Will you be driving a 1961 Ferrari 250GT California, of which less than a hundred were made?

um no. I can't even afford $30+ a night parking, so such a car is indeed out of our means.

I think Monroe St. Garage is still the best deal, about $12 a day. It's reasonably convenient to downtown, but a hike to North Michigan Avenue hotels. The entrance is on Columbus, the stree east of Michigan Ave., and 1/2 block north of Monroe Stree (north side of Art Institute.) As you are finding out, a car is a liability in downtown Chicago. See
http://www.877chicago.com/maps.html#parking
for more info.

I don't know what their rate is, but the Best Western River North offers free parking. Not the greatest hotel but reasonable and decent location.