Ending Free Disabled Parking Is A Bad Idea : Illinois Secretary Of State White | Feb 1, 2012

CHICAGO (CBS) — Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is opposing an idea that would change the long-standing law that allows anyone with a handicapped parking placard to park for free all day at a metered space.

As WBBM Newsradio’s Mike Krauser reports, White said Tuesday during a disabled parking placard sting in the Loop that he is going on record opposing legislation proposed by state Rep. Karen May (D-Highland Park) to do away with free meters for all but those who are physically unable to feed them.

Let me give you an example – if it’s a snowy day, and it’s tough for a person to pull their car up along the curb, and then find a ramp to get up to the sidewalk, and then try to put a card into the meter, I think that that’s a tremendous hardship on the people who are disabled,” White said.

Police on Tuesday fanned out in the Loop to target people who were misusing disability placards. They found 10 violators, and wrote $4,000 in tickets.

Aside from those who abuse the placards, there are many people who have them legally and are capable of using the pay boxes.

# http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/02/01/secretary-of-state-white-ending-free-disabled-parking-is-a-bad-idea/