CHICAGO (CBS) — The city of Chicago gave motorists a reprieve from its winter parking ban when it went into effect Sunday morning, thanks to the long holiday weekend.
Drivers who parked overnight 170 kilometers from certain main streets I didn’t get any warning flyers until early Sunday morning. There will be no such luck on Monday morning.
Even when there is no snow on the ground, parking is prohibited between 3am and 7am seven days a week on 170km of the city’s main streets between December 1 and April 1. The goal is to ensure that snow plows, CTA buses and emergency vehicles can move freely through the city’s busiest streets when snow begins to fall.
Signs have been placed in the affected streets warning motorists of winter parking restrictions.
Contrary to what some have posted on social media, this ban does not apply to all major streets in Chicago – in fact, it does not apply to many streets in general. But signs are posted stating the ban is in effect, and yet motorists are caught off guard every year.
Affected Chicago roadways include portions of, but not necessarily all of, Foster Avenue, Division Street, Madison Street, Midway Plaisance, 79th Stret, 103rd Street, Milwaukee Avenue, Archer Avenue, Central Avenue, Kedzie Avenue, State Street, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Cottage Grove Avenue. Clark Street and Devon Avenue are also part of the ban, but only in Rogers Park, and Cermak Road is affected about a half-mile in the South Loop.
Parts of other streets in Chicago were also affected. The city has released a map.
Cars parked on affected streets during the winter parking ban will be towed and the car owner will be subject to a $60 fine, a $150 towing fee and a $25 storage fee per day. Vehicles will be towed to one of two impound lots in the city – at 10301 S. Doty Av. or at 701 N. Sacramento Blvd.
In addition to the winter overnight parking ban, the city also prohibits parking on 500 miles of city streets when two inches or more of snow is expected. Although rarely activated, the 2-inch parking ban on snow is intended to help the city clear other main streets during heavier snowfalls. Cars parked on those streets when the 2-inch snow ban takes effect could be ticketed or moved to another street.
Drivers can call 311 to inquire if their car has been towed due to the ban.
