NBC 5 On The Parking Ticket Beat Again
NBC 5′s Lisa Parker, always on the hunt for a good story, is back on the parking ticket beat.
This time around, NBC 5′s cameras are spotlighting a young lady who was ticketed for an early morning rush hour violation despite no sign in sight.
She photographed the street and lack of a sign prohibiting rush hour parking and mailed the photos along with her contest letter to the Department of Revenue.
Despite documenting the lack of a sign, the driver was still found liable.
CDOT just recently replaced the missing sign and despite the media attention, the DOR is still not budging on throwing out the ticket.
The young lady is appealing the city’s decision.
Here’s the full story with video, “Parking Tickets Issued Despite Missing Sign.”
I was wondering when this would get posted…
I know that block…1021 West Diversey Pkwy. Ward 43/32 boundary.
They are partly correct.
1 sign was missing as the result of being knocked down by a vehicle at some point in the last few years.
The Other sign however…50 Feet from the Pay Box. On the Street Light Pole. Right below the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce Banner that hangs from it. Visible if the people would Look up.
Signs on the Pay Box “Rush Hour Rules in effect for this area. Look for Signs and Check Times” or something like that.
1 sign on the Block = Enforceable Violation.
And the second sign, the Original One that people Didn’t see……its still there. Never removed.
You sir are a smart man.
Capt M plate, Wasn’t the rule of thumb for the Dept of Revenue you needed at least 2 signs on the block.
The Policy is 1 sign from corner to corner to be able to legally enforce the whole block.
Alleys break enforcement zones…like street cleaning or temp posted no park time restrictions or Rush Hour.
Driveways do not break zones however.
The problem is that people do not look beyond what they consider to be a “reasonable distance” and then complain when they get a ticket.
Diversey Parkway is a Rush Hour Feeder Street…..From Halsted to Western
on the South side (7am to 9am) and on the North side (4pm to 6pm).
CPD and PEA’s patrol Rush Hour streets during the restriction times and will ticket IF signs are Posted.
If there is NO Sign, then the PEA’s are under instruction to not enforce the Block that the sign is missing from. CPD has different rules for enforcement though.
This is GREAT info to know.
I’ve always known it was one sign per block, but I didn’t know that an alley breaks up the block. GOOD to know.
BTW: I am surprised NBC didn’t FOIA CDOT to see when the new sign went in.
To all who commented and the Parking Ticket Geek,
I just got a rush hour parking ticket for being parked on Belmont between Paulina and Ashland at 7:04 a.m. I believe there are no signs (will make sure once I’m back in the area) and it is a Pay Box meter zone. The other day I parked there, even took a picture of the pay box stating that No Payment was required until 9 a.m. on Monday morning. I know it’s not good to assume, but I did and I assumed it applied to all weekdays since it is clearly marked as a parking zone.
Are there any tips I should know about this type of ticket?
Thank you,
Pulgui
Pulgui,
Take photos of the signs on that side of the block. Photograph the entire block just to be sure (from the opposite side of the street) in panoramic fashion. Then take close up of all the signs.
Assuming there’s no sign restricting parking for rush hour parking, these photos should exonerate you.
Also photograph the paybox message too. A lesser piece of evidence, but helps a little.
Fight it and report back.
re: Parking ticket -
Twice the Administrative Judge mentioned the fact that there was a “parking meter” visible in the pictures & both times I stated that as far as I was aware SOME parking meters were left for bikers to secure their bikes. “PARKING METERS” have nothing to do with the “ISSUE” of the case: whether one is liable EVEN WHEN THE SIGN IS NOT VISIBLE (obscured by tree branches & leaves)!!! There is a recording made of the proceedings, which should confirm this on APPEAL.
Patrick D. Riley,
Administrative Law Judge OBVIOUSLY DOES NOT KNOW THE LAW.
_______________________________________
re: Parking ticket -
Twice the Administrative Judge mentioned the fact that there was a “parking meter” visible in the pictures & both times I stated that as far as I was aware SOME parking meters were left for bikers to secure their bikes. “PARKING METERS” have nothing to do with the “ISSUE” of the case: whether one is liable EVEN WHEN THE SIGN IS NOT VISIBLE (obscured by tree branches & leaves)!!! There is a recording made of the proceedings, which should confirm this on APPEAL.
The City of Chicago’s own website states that one of the “Defenses” that may be used to contest a parking ticket is:
The following defenses are allowed for most parking and compliance tickets:
3. The relevant signs prohibiting or restricting parking were missing or obscured; [#3 of 6].
The administrative judge said (on the record):
“THAT IS NOT A DEFENSE.”
_______________________________________
City of Chicago :: Contesting Parking and Red-light Tickets In Person
http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/fin/supp_info/revenue/challenging_tickets/contesting_in_person.html
Pulgui,
From Ashland to California :
South side of Belmont: 7am to 9am signs on every block
North side of Belmont: 4pm to 6pm signs on every block
Alleys and Intersections break a Rush Hour zone, but driveways do not.
Loading zones and meters are not valid during these times.
Specifically Ashland to Paulina….
Multiple signs posted on both sides of the street, east and west bound.
Mr Jackson, please note the words “are allowed for MOST parking or compliance tickets”
Unfortunately, since your site does not allow for the attachment or uploading of pictures; I cannot show you that the “parking” sign is COMPLETELY OBSCURED until you are standing at the base of the pole.
Would that qualify?
William,
Send me the photo via email at:
info (at) theexpiredmeter.com
I will see if I can post it.