Disability Parking Crack Down Results in 60 Citations in First Weekend

Secretary of State Jesse White announced today that in its first weekend the Secretary of  State Police issued 60 citations during a statewide crack down on people who illegally park in disability parking spaces at shopping malls. The enforcement kicked off on Black Friday, November 23rd and will continue through the end of December.

The results of the first weekend were:

• 29 people were issued citations for improper use of a disability parking space or parking in a disability space without a placard or license plate;
• 28 people were cited with misuse of a disability parking placard, or using someone else’s placard;
• 29 placards were confiscated;
• 2 were fraudulent and one was fictitious or altered
• A total of 1,925 placards were checked.

“I’m pleased with the results of the disability parking enforcement efforts,” said White. “As I’ve said before, our mission is not to give tickets, but to ensure the disability parking spaces are available to those who need them,” White said.

Secretary of State Police were out enforcing the provisions of the Parking Program for Persons with Disabilities at Water Tower Place Mall in Chicago, Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg as well as at malls in Oak Brook, Orland Park, Geneva, Rockford, Springfield, Marion, Carbondale, Peoria, Fairview Heights and Champaign.

This year marks the seventh year of holiday enforcement. Last year, police issued 187 citations to people for violating the program.

The fine for illegally using a placard or disability license plates without the authorized holder of the placard or disability license plates present is a maximum of $500. In addition, violators can be subject to a 30-day administrative driver’s license suspension from the Secretary of State for the first offense.

The fine for parking in an accessible parking space without a parking placard or disability license plates can be as much $350. Secretary White urged people to report abuse of disability parking spaces by calling 217-785-0309. Callers should be prepared to report placard and license plate numbers as well as locations of vehicles. People can also report abuse by visiting the Secretary of State’s website at www.cyberdriveillinois.com and complete the Parking Program for Persons with Disabilities Abuse Complaint Form.

There are 653,279 placards and approximately 81,422 disability license plates in Illinois.