State of Illinois Targets Holiday Shoppers Abusing Disability Parking at Malls Statewide for the 10th Year

The annual State of Illinois sting begins the day after Thanksgiving who illegally park in spaces reserved for people with disabilities at shopping centers in Chicago, Schaumburg, Aurora, Oak Brook, Orland Park, Bloomington, Carbondale, Fairview Heights and Springfield, according to the Secretary of State office.

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced today that Secretary of State Police will conduct statewide parking stings targeting individuals illegally parking in spaces reserved for persons with disabilities at shopping malls beginning Black Friday, November 25.

Secretary of State Police will enforce the provisions of the Parking Program for Persons with Disabilities at shopping centers in Chicago, Schaumburg, Aurora, Oak Brook, Orland Park, Bloomington, Carbondale, Fairview Heights and Springfield on November 25. Friday marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season and is the busiest shopping day of the year. Other enforcements will take place during the holiday season in Chicago, the suburbs and across the state.

“Our mission is not to issue tickets, but to ensure that accessible parking spaces are available to those who need them,” White said. “Parking illegally in a space reserved for people with disabilities means a possible driver’s license suspension and a hefty fine, which could otherwise be used on gifts. Remember, if you don’t belong there, don’t park there.”

Drivers caught misusing a placard face a six-month driver’s license suspension and $600 fine. Repeat violators will face a one-year driver’s license suspension and $750 fine for a second offense, and for third or subsequent offenses a $1,000 fine plus a one-year driver’s license revocation. The fine for parking in an accessible parking space without a disability placard or license plates is up to $350 and using a deceased person’s placard or a fraudulent placard can result in a $2,500 fine and one-year revocation of a driver’s license.

There are 636,955 disability placards and 65,954 disability license plates in Illinois.

Secretary White urged individuals to report abuse of parking spaces for people with disabilities by calling 217-785-0309. Callers should be prepared to report placard and license plate numbers as well the as location of vehicles. People can also report abuse via the Secretary of State’s website at www.cyberdriveillinois.com and complete the Parking Program for Persons with Disabilities Abuse Complaint Form.

SOURCE: Illinois Secretary of State Press Release on Nov 22, 2016