Double Secret Probation For Global Parking Managemnt In 32nd Ward
As reported here just a few weeks ago, according to 32nd Ward Alderman Scott Waguespack, the fate of Global Parking Management had been sealed. The private booting firm was going to be given the boot from the 32nd Ward.
Too many complaints, too many reports of alleged violence and police reports, too much time spent dealing with the issue of private booting company Global Parking Management.
“Dealing with the constant weekly issues on this, putting people in the position of fearing of their lives…”, said Waguespack at the time. “I shouldn’t have to deal with it.”
Waguespack and staff seemed to have decided enough was enough,and was moving ahead on changing the ordinance that would eliminate private booting in the 32nd Ward.
Global Parking manages 40-45 parking lots throughout Chicago according to Global Parking officials, with 10-13 of those lots residing within the 32nd Ward. This amended city ordinance would have effectively eliminated about 25% of Global Parking’s lots.
But emotions seems to have cooled in the interim, as Ald. Waguespack met with both pissed off constituents whom complained about Global Parking, and Global Parking’s owners. Global Parking is going to be allowed to stay…at least for now, but with some potentially restrictive changes coming in the near future.
“What I would like to do is not entirely kick them out of the ward,” said Ald. Waguespack. “There will be a voluntary suspension of business at some locations in the ward.”
According to Ald. Waguespack, as of January 1, Global Parking Management is voluntarily suspending operations at two parking lots in the 32nd Ward until his office and Global Parking can finalize details of changes the parking lot management company must make, to remain welcome in the 32nd Ward.
The two parking lots in questions are at Burger King, 2344 W. Chicago Ave. (next to Village Pizza) and Village Discount-Roscoe Village (Roscoe & Hoyne). It is these two locations which has produced the most complaints to the alderman’s office and to the police.
But Global Parking Mangement owner Joe Grillo has a slightly different view on how this cooling down period is going down. Grillo says it’s not a “suspension of operations” at the two locations but “minimizing operations for right now.” according to Grillo. “There are no conclusions on how things will be resolved…nothing is finalized yet. We don’t want to give people the idea they can park there (without consequences).”
Grillo defined “minimizing services,” at the two lots as posting employees on the lot part-time instead of full-time, reducing hours and possibly days of enforcement.
“We’re still in the midst of speaking with the alderman,” explained Grillo. “We are basically keeping the lines of communication open and seeing what we can do to address the concerns of the community.”
Toward this end, Waguespack has asked Global Parking to meet with some of the neighborhood chamber of commerce in the ward, including, those representing Roscoe Village, West Town and Wicker Park, to get their input on the issue.
Global Parking and Waguespack’s office are slated to meet after the first of the year to discuss a list of changes, specific to the ward, that Global Parking will have to agree to, in order to stay in the 32nd ward. There is no specific list of changes or hard deadlines for resolving these issues yet. But Waguespack and Grillo both ticked off a few ideas that included a uniform or bright vest for Global employees, labels for cars parked in Global lots, more training for Global employees, changes in signage and perhaps a 10-15 minute grace period that would allow a bit more flexibility for parking lot patrons.
Ald. Wauguespack has also been consulting with Ald. Gene Schulter and Ald. Tom Tunney about how to tighten the rules and regulations on the ordinance that controls private booting. Ald. Waguespack explained there was no penalty system written into the ordinance to punish Global Parking for infractions and suggested perhaps a three strikes type approach to the issue.
Grillo defends the practice of private booting, a practice his company introduced in Chicago 10 years ago, as a necessary weapon to help business owners preserve their parking lots for their customers. Grillo feels that the concept of protecting the business owner’s right to control who parks on their lot is often lost in the heat of emotion.
“It’s a softer approach than the alternative which is towing,” explained Grillo. “You have to ask yourself, ‘would I rather be towed or booted?’ It’s a safer, more effective approach for violators and drivers.”
According to Grillo, private booting is less expensive than towing. You also don’t have to find transportation to the tow lot, so it’s therefore faster to rectify the situation. There is less chance of damage to the vehicle and every driver that is booted has the right to appeal to the company.
Grillo also made the case for the survival of his business. “We’re real people here,” Grillo said. “There are 35 families that rely on this business for their livelihood.”
Grillo seemed optimistic that something can be worked out that makes everyone happy. “I think there will be a lot of changes for the better and to ease a lot of people’s minds,” said Grillo. “We’ll do whatever it takes to make this work.”
“every driver that is booted has the right to appeal to the company.”
Yea, have you ever tried to appeal? Call them and they hang up. No records were kept on my ‘boot’ so there couldn’t possibly be a refund. Thanks guys! Glad I moved out of the city.
Perhaps Alderman Waguespack can require Global Parking to run criminal background checks on all of its employees and eliminate offenders, convicts or people with outstanding warrants. Better yet, he can require Global to provide this information to the public.
Given the challenging circumstances a booted vehicle presents, this small act will greatly increase public safety and greatly decrease liability.
My guess is that less than half of current employees will pass this test.
What do you say, Scott?
Skyway-
Not a bad suggestion. Ald. Waguespack and staff are pretty open to hearing what their constituents have to say on this or any issue. If you have some ideas or suggestions for resolving these private booting issues, you should call or e-mail his office. A VERY responsive office in the 32nd Ward.
I see this story being repeated on this site, I come to this site as a source for information. I have been booted in the past and I did my research to see if this practice was legal, unlike this Ever Powerful Ticket Geek, I did a little reading into the city ordinance, there is a regulation in place requiring a background check be done on all employees of every company who holds a license in this industry. This law states that no employee can be convicted of a felony within the past 3 years. So I believe these companies have this covered. After all would you want to trade places with them? I give them a lot of credit dealing with people that got caught.
But what is the real point of this story? If you park illegal you deserve some type of ticket. I admit in my case I parked and tried to get away with it but Touché they caught me. Why are people even calling the Alderman? Is he like the teacher or something ? I am sure the Alderman has more important things to do than deal with people that got caught and want to complain!!
My suggestion, If you don’t want to go through any of the aggravation or stress that comes along with being ticketed, towed, or booted then don’t park illegal.
Lets stop supporting these crazy people who don’t care where they park this is not interesting I think this geek should move on to something that make more sense like why we have to pay the city meter $6.50 cents to park to shop. This is something worth bothering the Alderman about.
I am a property owner and when I come home at night I really don’t want someone in my parking spot. Its 2009, Happy New Year.
Hi Anna-
Thank you for comments.
However, I need to address some of your points.
1-You are confusing the comments of another reader regarding background checks of Global employees, with me. I assumed Global’s employees were checked out, and don’t really care too much if someone has a felony record or not–as long as they are law abiding citizens now–I could give a crap.
2-If you park in a Global parking lot, and don’t follow the rules clearly posted on their signs and get booted, 9 times out of 10, it’s probably your fault. I agree with you, people who are stupid enough or cocky enough to try to park in a Global lot and get booted, have only themselves to blame.
3-Some people call the alderman’s office because they are whiners. Others may have legitimate beefs. I hope you agree that the two or three people who reportedly/allegedly had physical altercations with Global employees, might be concerned enough about their situation that they felt it necessary to convey their problem to the alderman. Overall, I would agree, if you were trespassing on a Global managed lot and got booted, why are you calling the alderman? However, some people who felt they followed the rules and got booted, feel it necessary and proper to call the alderman.
4-Why am I covering this issue? Well, first of all this is a website that covers parking news and issues in Chicago. Second, no other issue covered here has received more commentary and input than stories involving Global Parking. For whatever reason, this type of business generates a lot of emotion and people are interested. Third, this is obviously a news story. Global Parking is a well known (some may say notorious) business here in Chicago–especially the 32nd ward. Parking is a big story on the north side. The fact that Ald. Waguespack was seriously considering changing a city ordinance and shut Global Parking out of the 32nd ward is a legitimate news story.
5-I agree with you Anna. People should do their best to always park legally. I would go a step further and just avoid parking lots managed by Global Parking as a matter of course. I’m afraid to park in their lots, even if I’m patronizing one of the businesses they represent. When I used to buy my coffee at the Dunkin’ Donuts at Clark & Belmont, I NEVER parked in the lot. When I stop by the Village Thrift in Roscoe Village, I always park on the street. I don’t need or want the hassle. It’s not worth it to me. In addition, if you don’t like what Global does, boycott the businesses they represent.
Global Parking is a legitimate business operating a perfectly legal business. They have the right to conduct their business as they see fit. The businesses whose parking lots they protect and manage have to right to control their property as they see fit. Drivers should not park in a one business’s parking lot and then run across the street to patronize another. NOT cool!
As much as many people have distaste for what Global Parking does, they have the right to do it, just as much as I have the right NOT to park in their lots.
Thank you again for your comments and we appreciate you checking out the website.
The Geek
Thanks for the professional reply Mr. Geek, and I am in hopes my comments were in no way offensive to anyone or defensive for that matter.
The only comment that concerns me is the part where you mention this company Global Many times, I took a look at my booting receipt and the company I was booted by was Chicago Parking Mgmt. Sounds like you are taking this very personal. I thought that journalism was to be without prejudice I mean shouldn’t you be telling people not to park on any lots illegaly not just where this Global company is. After-all most lots there is towing instead and I think all of whom live in Chicago as long as I have will say that Lincoln Towing is notorious.
Your Quote” if you don’t like what Global does, boycott the businesses they represent.” Why not boycott the City? Better Idea no?
Your Quote ” I would go a step further and just avoid parking lots managed by Global Parking as a matter of course” Why not just avoid any parking lots if you are a person that likes to park Illegal!!!
So the point of my comment was for people to try their best to pay attention and follow parking signs no matter WHERE you park.
Unfortunately we live in a city where parking enforcement is a necessity, however the City of Chicago makes a damn good living on our own ignorance, so I guess if it wasn’t for the income from those ignorant people Chicago would not be able to afford to keep the City looking so beautiful making this one of the greatest City in America to live in.
EVERYONE should have on there list of resolutions PAY ATTENTION TO SIGNS , its on my list.
Thanks again and Happy New Year. I will no longer comment on this issue I think it has been exhausted.
P.S. I love the Animal House innuendo (Double Secret Probation) nice touch real cute. Be well.
Memorable quotes for
Animal House
Dean Vernon Wormer: They are? Well, as of this moment, they’re on DOUBLE SECRET PROBATION!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077975/quotes
Anna, seriously, no offense taken.
If I was a person whom took offense or was afraid of a contrary opinion, I would not publish your comments.
Your comments are ALWAYS welcome here.
In fact, we strongly encourage comments and opinions. In fact, we welcome opposing views. If you or anyone wants to submit a longer commentary for publication on our website (it has to be connected to the issues of parking in Chicago) we will publish it. Seriously.
I’m unfamiliar with Chicago Parking Management. From my research, and interviews, I was under the impression that there was only one company licensed to do private booting within Chicago and that’s Global Parking Management.
The thing is, even if someone else is doing private booting in the city, Global Parking is far and away the most successful. They have been around for 10 years and manage over 40 parking lots.
If you can give me more info on where you got booted, and what the circumstances were, I will research it. I would very much appreciate it. We are always striving to be accurate and fair in our coverage.
As far as making this personal, I have to disagree. If you note in my story that I quoted Joe Grillo, the owner of Global more than the alderman. If I wanted to have a one-sided story, I would have not even called Global for input on the article. But, again, we are trying to be balanced in our reporting.
We have no axe to grind with Global Parking. I’ve never parked in a lot managed by them. Honestly, Joe Grillo was very kind and open with me on the phone and I appreciate the fact that he even spoke with me. He seems like a truly nice guy. And there are many people employed by his company who rely on Global’s existence to live their lives. I hope anyone who runs a business succeeds and makes money. I’m sure they’re I also believe Global has the right to conduct their business any way they see fit. People may not like it, but tough. I don’t drink alcohol, it tastes bad to me. That’s why you don’t see me in bars.
I believe in the free market system. So when I say, if you don’t like what Global Parking does, “don’t park in their lots,” or “boycott the businesses they represent,” it’s because I believe people should vote with their wallets.
When Howard Stern was on regular terrestrial radio, people who didn’t like him would call the radio stations that carry him and complain. I didn’t like Howard Stern, so instead of whining about it, I just would not listen or patronize his advertisers. Simple.
Lastly, I agree with you and I try to convey this as much as possible to our readers, READ THE DAMN SIGNS anywhere you park.
Thanks again Anna.
The PTG
[...] The Booster newspaper, a group of local weekly newspapers which cover different neighborhoods in Chicago, published a very well written story about Global Parking Management. [...]
[...] week, the Parking Ticket Geek contributed some thoughts regarding problems that Global Parking Management has been facing in the 32nd ward, for a commentary in The Booster [...]
[...] Speaking of private booting, negotiations between Global Parking Management and Ald. Waguespack’s office have been ongoing and are close to a final agreement on terms to allow Global to continue to work [...]
Why are some background checks free and others paid?
does anyone have a copy of the bill of rightsthey give out and a copy of a receipt they can email me
maybe a copy of the contract for a store