I guess the real issue is that there are not enough places to secure bicycles and scoters. Although scoters are motor vehicles, they are energy efficient, which is a plus, but unfortunately easily stolen. I can understand their concern for theft and there is no reason to do anything nasty about it. Some cities, like Toronto for example, have specially made hitching posts for bicycles all over the city centre. These look like a post with a cast metal circle bolted on and will accommodate two or more bikes. You mentioned that this company removed the racks for aesthetic reasons, maybe try to encourage them to reinstall them. Better yet, maybe you, other Chicago Bike Forum members and your local cycling association could try to encourage the city to provide bicycle racks or posts throughout the downtown centre. I can’t see this costing that much money and it encourages people to use their bike and frequent the city centre.
Good luck with this.