Tips, Info, Advice On Avoiding Being  Towed In Wrigleyville

Monday night is the Cubs’ first night game of the year.

The Cubs play two night games back to back in the first two games of a three game series against the Washington Nationals.

City ticket writers and tow trucks will be out in full force this evening and always chalk up records on both ticketing and towing the first night game of the season.

Make sure your vehicle is not one of them.

To honor the first night game of the year on the Northside, below we’ve listed the Cubs’ entire night game schedule for the 2010 season.

It’s important to be aware of the dates listed above, because non-residents are not allowed to park on residential streets within the zone and you could be ticketed and towed.

Let me clarify. You WILL be ticketed and towed. The city puts a virtual army of ticket writers and tow trucks on patrol throughout the entire zone. Stay the hell out of the neighborhood on the evenings of Cub’s night games.

Put these dates on your calendar or in your phone’s datebook.

Chicago Cubs’ 2010 Night Game Schedule

April 26, 27

May 10, 11, 17, 18, 25, 26

June 15, 16, 20 (TBD), 28, 29

July 15, 19, 20

August 2, 3, 16, 17, 30, 31

September 7, 8, 21, 22, 23, 25 (TBD), 26 (TBD)

And just for reference, here’s a map of the area where parking is restricted during Cub’s night games.

The zone’s boundaries are approximately Lake Shore Drive on the east, Ravenswood (just west of Ashland) on the west, Belmont on the south and Montrose on the north. The zone is not quite symmetrical, so make sure you check the signs on some of the boundary areas because I know there are exceptions to the zone I just outlined.

This zone is designated LV-2 or just 383 in the 44th Ward. In order to park on streets in this zones and marked by the proper signs, your vehicle must display a valid LV-2 Night Ball Game Permit or a Chicago city sticker with the 383 residential parking permit.

If you are a resident in the area, you need to get your butt down to Ald. Tunney’s 44th Ward Office and get your LV-2 sticker. Make sure you bring proof of residence, a valid ID and proof of city vehicle sticker. The 44th Ward office is at 1057 W. Belmont Ave.

Here is some more info on the LV-2 Parking Permit.

On the day of a night game, enforcement begins at 5 PM and ends at 10 PM. We suggest not coming into the area on those days at all if you can all but help it.

If not, make sure you are parked at a metered spot, in a private parking lot or on private property or just get the hell out of there by 4:59 PM.

If you need some parking tips for coming to the Cubs’ game, here’s some handy dandy tips.

This is a brutally enforced parking zone. You are not just ticketed, but you most likely be towed. The ticket costs $50 and the tow will cost you $160 or more. Holy Cow!

But also pay attention to parking along Addison St. during night games (see photo above). There’s already rush hour parking westbound on Addison from 4-6. But on the evening of Cub’s night games, you cannot park on that street from 4 PM until 11PM. Arrgghhh!!!