Someone else wrote those parking tickets.

That’s what two Chicago police officers, accused of writing some of the 24 bogus parking tickets issued to motorist Mark Geinosky, contended in their police board hearings earlier this week.

In other words, according to the Chicago Tribune, the two officers became victims of the same scam that targeted Geinosky when another officer or officers stole a handful of tickets from their ticket books to harass Geinosky.

Interestingly, in the case of one officer, the ticket sequence seems to support his assertion that some of the tickets were stolen from him.

As you may recall, Geinosky started getting phantom parking tickets in the mail for dates and addresses where he could not have possibly been. Geinosky successfully fought and had all the tickets dismissed. He decided to file a formal complaint with internal affairs. This went no where until the Tribune’s Problem Solver columnist Jon Yates got involved and put a spotlight on Geinosky’s plight.

Not surprisingly, once the Trib was involved, the police investigation restarted. Now, four years later, two of the four police officers accused of being involved are now having their termination cases heard before the police board.

Geinosky also has a civil rights lawsuit regarding this issue pending in federal court.

Here’s the Tribune’s full report, “2 Chicago police officers claim they also are victims in bogus-ticket probe.”

Dear Mr. Geek,

Can I get a ticket for no city sticker if I am legally parked at a meter?

Sagar

Of course you can be ticketed for a city sticker violation parked at a meter Sagar.

Being legally parked at a meter does not magically project an invisible force field over your vehicle that repels ticket writers from issuing you tickets for other violations.

If your car’s license plate is expired, missing a front plate, parked over 12″ from the curb or not sporting a valid city sticker on the windshield you can be ticketed–even if you have time on the meter.

If your car has last year’s sticker and not this year’s it’s like a big sign that says “Please ticket me!”

However, if you have a clean windshield or out of state plates or stickers from another town, the chances are much lower you will get ticketed for city sticker violation.

The Geek

Dear TPG,

Back in late March, I parked in the lot on Lincoln Ave. across from the Old Town School near Wilson.

I bought enough time to take me to 8:59 PM, with parking enforcement expiring at 9:00.

The cynical part of my brain said, “You better pay that extra quarter for 1 lousy minute of parking”, but the human side said, “Would they really screw you for 1 minute’s worth of free parking?”

I’m sure you know where this is going.

Art

Are you messing with me Art?

You really got an expired meter ticket at 8:59? WTF!?!?!?

Here’s some good news. Mayor Daley signed a law last year that gives every driver a 5 minute grace period on expired meter tickets.

If you came back to a ticket on your car issued 5 minutes or less from the time on the receipt, you can ask the city to throw the ticket out.

And, you don’t even need to contest it!!!!

Just call 312-744-PARK and talk to an operator and they should be able to help you. Make sure you have your meter receipt from the day and your ticket before you call in.

Now the bad news for other drivers is the law expired in April. But your ticket was issued before the law went bye-bye.

Whomever wrote that ticket is a real scumbag. They should be aware of this rule and should have just walked away. What an a-hole!

Please keep us posted on how things turn out.

The Geek

Dear Parking Ticket Geek,

I live in front of a school that has been closed for over 5 years.

However, there is a “No Parking from 7-3pm on School Days” sign on the street surrounding the school.

In the past 5 years, I have never received a ticket. Recently, however, the City has started issuing tickets. I obviously plan to contest, but is there a chance that the city can legally enforce the ticket?

Carrie

A bunch of random thoughts Carrie.

First, I would guess these tickets you’re getting should be pretty easy to beat.

You will have to prove the school is no longer open. I’m not sure how you go about proving that. Maybe you have to bring in one of those CPS directories into your hearing or get someone from CPS to acknowledge in writing no school exists there currently.

Since “school days” don’t exist at that location, I don’t see how the ticket holds.

Moving forward, I think you need to reach out to the alderman’s office and see what they can do and/or contact CDOT via 311 or directly and see how they can help.

Please keep us posted on your ticket fight and your mission to remove those signs.

The Geek

Hi Geek.

Here is a quick question for you.

I received a ticket for not having paid for a parking meter.

This was on a plaza where a Block Buster Video is located (where I go get my movies). I was in and out in less then five minutes as I was just dropping off the movie.

Paul

The person you spoke to on the phone was actually correct Paul.

You wouldn’t be able to invoke the 5 minute rule unless you actually paid for your parking and had a meter receipt.

So you would be out of luck anyway.

Just so you (and other readers) know, back in early April, the five minute grace period evaporated from the municipal code. 32nd Ward Alderman Scott Waguespack has proposed reviving the grace period, but so far it hasn’t gone very far.

Sorry Paul.

The Geek

Ask The Parking Ticket Geek is a semi-regular parking ticket advice column. If you have a question for The Parking Ticket Geek, please e-mail the Geek with your query at: askthegeek@theexpiredmeter.com

Hi Geek,

I got a ticket at 7 am for parking in a spot that clearly states its a 30 minute standing zone only from 10 am – 8 pm. I will contest this ticket by mail. Should I submit a photo? I don’t have a good printer so doing so would be a bit extra work for me.

Chan

Please, PLEASE provide photos Chan.

Photos are perhaps the very best way for a driver to illustrate the parking environment when the violation was issued. It allows the hearing officer to see what you saw on the street at the time the ticket was given.

Otherwise, it’s just your word against the ticket writer’s word. And guess what? Without the photos, the word of the ticket writer is going to carry more weight and most likely, you’ll lose.

Take the extra time and effort to do this or you risk losing.

The Geek

Hello Parking Ticket Geek,

I got a ticket during the week , the reason for my ticket says “VIOLATION OF WHEEL TAX STICKER” what exactly does this mean?

Jessica

The Violation of the Wheel Tax Sticker is just a fancy-schmancy way of saying you don’t have a Chicago city sticker on your windshield.

I advise doing what every it takes to get a city sticker on the lower, passenger side of your front windshield ASAP! Those $120 tickets are not cheap.

In fact, the new city sticker goes on sale on June 1st.

Hope that clears it up.

The Geek

Hey Geek,

I received a $50 ticket for an EXPIRED METER OR OVERSTAY.

There was no pay box to be found (North side of Lincoln, just South of Lincoln /Diversey / Racine intersection).

Erik

Hi Erik,

What is more important to know is whether there are signs posted that indicate whether you need to pay for parking or not.

While the long distance urban quest you have to go on just to find a pay box is a rash inducing frustration, if signs are posted, you need to do what’s necessary to get that paid receipt onto your dashboard.

I am familiar with that stretch of Lincoln and I’m confident you need to feed the beast there.

Sometimes if a pay box on your side of the street is far away, you can find one closer just across the street.

That being said, I think you should fight the ticket.

You could try making the argument that there is no pay box on that particular block and it’s the city and LAZ Parking’s responsibility to install a pay box in order for you to pay for parking. Make the claim it’s unreasonable for drivers to have to walk aimlessly looking for a pay box if one is not visible from where you parked.

Unfortunately, I cannot find any language in the municipal code that lays down standards on how many pay boxes have to be installed per block. Although, from experience, it is normally about one every block. The problem with Lincoln is, because it’s a diagonal street, the “blocks” are much longer than normal streets.

You could also try contacting the alderman’s office to see if they can write you a letter supporting your assertion of the lack of a paybox in the block where you parked.

I encourage you to photograph the block in question from the other side of the street to document exactly how far the box is from where you parked. This means using a series of photographs.

Also try to document the closest address to the box. Maybe the differential between the address on the ticket and the address near the pay box will further exemplify the distance.

I think your chances to win are 50/50 at best, but hell, it’s worth a shot.

I would totally fight it. Please keep us posted.

The Geek

Dear PTG,

Yesterday I received a parking ticket on 18th & Wabash for having a cracked windshield.

I have few questions for you:

The best way to fight this ticket is to repair your windshield Albert.

While your violation is issued by the City of Chicago, a cracked windshield is also illegal under the Illinois vehicle code. And whether or not it is or is not a moving violation is a moot point. The cracked windshield exists and is illegal whether or not your are moving or parked.

Just you repair your before your ticket hearing, and have proof (a receipt and a photo of your windshield) they have to dismiss the ticket.

It’s a compliance violation. As long as you have complied, the ticket will be dismissed.

The Geek

Dear Parking Ticket Geek,

Is the parking ticket valid if the car which is grey is listed as black?

Mr. Grey

Try fighting the ticket on this “Mr. Grey.”

Say the ticket is issued improperly and that your car is grey, not black and it is possible the ticket was issued to the wrong vehicle based on this mistake.

Bring a photo of your car (so the license plate can be seen) along with a copy of your registration definitely proving the color of your car.

The violation should be considered an improperly written ticket and should be dismissed based on your evidence and testimony.

Thanks

The Geek

Ask The Parking Ticket Geek is a semi-regular parking ticket advice column. If you have a question for The Parking Ticket Geek, please e-mail the Geek with your query at: askthegeek@theexpiredmeter.com

Parking Ticket Geek,

Do you know anything about this law firm that collects money for the City of Chicago, Arnold Scott Harris?

I was garnished after I got on a payment plan and they claimed it was a “system” error. I am embarrassed at my job now and could scream! I can never get through to them and when I do, different people tell me different things, they always contradict themselves that is assuming I can understand what they say, some of them can barely speak good English.

Is this place legit?

Mike

I feel your frustration Mike.

Arnold Scott Harris is considered a legitimate collections firm, and has a contract with the city.

But much like any collections firm, people don’t like them due to the nature of what they do–try to pry money from the wallets of people who can’t pay or don’t want to pay.

In the case of Arnold Scott Harris, they’re not even collecting for something you actually enjoyed or something useful like a “Girls Gone Wild” DVD collection, but for parking tickets, which makes people hate them even more than a normal collections firm.

I would suggest taking a trip to their offices and talking to someone in person instead of wading through voice mail hell or their phone system maze.

If you have the paperwork proving you had setup a payment plan with Arnold Scott Harris and have made your payments on time, ultimately you should be able to get them to back off the garnishment and restore you to the payment plan you set up.

However, if you failed to make proper payments according to the terms of your payment plan, it would not be out of the realm of possibility that your wages would have been garnished.

You may need to get an attorney involved to clear up this situation, but that costs money as well. If you are up to it, you may try filing a motion in court to have the garnishment dismissed on your own.

The Geek

Good morning Geek,

I just want to ask questions regarding the ticket I got in NJ.

I am originally in VA, my family rented a van for the weekend to go to NJ. I got a ticket for an expired parking meter, I have no problem in paying it but I lost my ticket and I don’t know the tag number of the van.

Can the rental company (Budget) just pay for it and take it out of my credit card?

Cheryl

Normal policy is for a car rental company to just pay the ticket and charge your credit card for the amount they paid Cheryl.

You might want to contact the rental company and give them a heads up as a courtesy.

I believe they will appreciate the gesture and make sure the ticket fine doesn’t increase before they pay it.

The Geek

Hello Geek,

I recently received a parking ticket for $50 for an expired meter. Is there a way to get the ticket thrown out, or the fine reduced?

Jaclyn

If the ticket was legit Jaylyn, then the answer is no.

The city doesn’t just throw tickets out or reduce the fine for a violation.

I mean, you could trying donning a pair of tight fitting jeans and heels, slapping on some bright red lipstick and bat your eyes at the hearing officer or Department of Revenue cashier while asking for toss the ticket or have the fine reduced and see what happens.

But I don’t think even that will work.

Sorry.

The Geek

Dearest Geek,

On Wells street between Schiller and North Avenue there are numerous small businesses with very little available on street meter parking.

Over the 20 years that I have lived in the neighborhood, there are almost always vehicles double parked in front of a business they wish to use for a short period, and have never been ticketed.

Also, by double parking you end up in a bike lane.

I double parked in front of a store to run in for an ice cream cone. This is a location where folks have consistently double parked without tickets. Once there was a police car double parked there, they were having lunch; I double parked behind them and they didn’t say a word other than nod hello.

So suddenly with the new “meter maids”, I get two tickets; double parking and in a bike lane. I have about 20 photos taken on different days in the same block showing this is a regular event in this block.

Are defenses like selective prosecution, or waiver or estoppel applicable here?

Ron

From what you’re telling me Ron, you were actually doing what the tickets were issued for–double parking and parked in the bike lane.

And, while many drivers are doing the same thing you were ticketed for, it’s never a defense to say “other people were doing it too.”

Isn’t this the type of excuse kids use?

Back in 1973 when I told my parents my neighbor Kevin was throwing rocks at cars as the excuse for why I was throwing rocks at cars, my Mom pulled out some bright orange plastic Hot Wheels tracks, pulled down my pants and gave my butt what for. Ouch.

The “ice cream” defense carries no weight either. Selective prosecution, estoppel what? Huh?

I think the city is trying to send a message to drivers on Wells Street to not double park anymore. Maybe drivers will get the bright orange hints.

You could try fighting the bike lane ticket by saying you were double parked and were ticketed for that first. But no guarantee on that defense.

I think it might be wise to just pay the tickets before they double.

The Geek

Ask The Parking Ticket Geek is a semi-regular parking ticket advice column. If you have a question for The Parking Ticket Geek, please e-mail the Geek with your query at: askthegeek@theexpiredmeter.com

Do you know if you can contest a parking ticket via email or online?

I have the supporting documentation to show they ticketed me while I was parked legally. I have the ticket showing the issue time of 3:08PM and I have the ticket from the meter showing that it did not expire until 3:41PM.

I also have the transaction from my bank debit card showing the fee paid to LAZ. I’d like to email something right to Bea as well to complain…got her email address?

Best regards,

Angry

Maybe in the future, but currently tickets cannot be contested online Mr. Angry.

The former head of Administrative Hearings, Scott Bruner was looking into the possibility of contesting tickets via the internet, but the city is currently broke and Bruner left his job last year.

It sounds like, if you present the proper documentation, you should have no problem beating the ticket.

And, I don’t have the e-mail address for Bea Reyna-Hickey, the Director of the Department of Revenue. However, it might not be too hard to figure it out.

If you want to bring this type of really stupid mistake to the Dept. of Revenue’s attention, call Street Operations at 312-744-4500 and ask to speak to a supervisor.

Thanks

The Geek

Geek,

Here’s a theoretical question for you: Bob pays for parking between 2pm and 3pm. At 3:15 pm, Bob has not moved his car and receives a parking ticket for an expired meter. Bob gets back to his car at 3:30 pm, and sees the ticket.

He also notices that Mary, a complete stranger, is pulling out of her spot, and asks Mary for her receipt. Mary gives it to him– her receipt is for time from 2:45 to 4:45, which would cover the time when Bob got his parking ticket.

Is it worth it for Bob to fight the ticket, using Mary’s receipt? If so, how could Bob pursue such an action?

Thanks!

“Bob”

Is it worth it to fight the ticket?

That’s up to you “Bob”.

Legally/technically you’re on the hook–you came back too late to your car and the meter receipt expired.

However, if you can provide a paid meter receipt for the time in question as evidence at a hearing, theoretically this should get the ticket dismissed.

A creative person could “theoretically”  make the case that the ticket writer somehow missed the paid receipt on the dashboard. Perhaps it fell so far down between the windshield and dashboard it couldn’t be read by the ticket writer. Who knows?!?

Of course, we’re both just talking theoretically, right “Bob?”

So, theoretically, your friend “Bob” should win.

Thanks

The Geek

Yo Geek!

Yesterday I got a ticket for an expired meter. It was written 6 minutes after the meter expired.

I arrived at my car at the 7 or 8 minute mark and saw no orange vested ticket writer in the vicinity.

A friend told me of Mayor Daley’s grace period … apparently, that has been rescinded.

Any ideas?

Molly

Your timing is pretty darn bad Molly.

Not only did the 5 minute grace period evaporate from the municipal code a few days ago, but even if it were still in place, you would be 1 minute too late to use that.

While I’m sure you don’t want to hear this, I guess my advice would be to pay the ticket before the fine doubles.

Sorry.

The Geek

Hi, Parking Geek.

I am in a rock ‘n’ roll band from the southeast. We recently played Reggie’s Music Joint on S. State Street. We travel in a van with a trailer in tow. We parked in front of the venue just after 4pm and paid the maximum five hours as stated on the meter. The block stops being metered at 9pm.

We displayed the ticket on our dash and went inside.

90 minutes later I saw a cop writing a ticket for ‘overstay or expirer meter.’ I asked her why, and she said there was a 90 minute limit on parking. I showed her my meter ticket, to which she replied, “I don’t know why it let you do that. Is it after 6pm?” –At this point I was completely dumbfounded.

There is no mention of the trailer on the ticket. The ticket she wrote has the wrong state and tag expiration. Totally mystified at the situation, I left the van there since I had paid for parking.

At 7:30 she wrote us another identically incorrect ticket.

I have pictures of all the signage around the van, our valid parking stickers, and our van plates, but I doubt the effectiveness of contesting by mail. Since they got the state and tag exp. date wrong can this just be ignored? Will it be thrown out if I contest by mail? If they see pictures of the trailer can they issue another ticket for meter violation?

Personally appealing these tickets is probably out of the question. Please advise!

Sincerely,

Victim of Northern Aggression

Hey Jason,

I really hope it wasn’t a cop that wrote you those parking tickets.

Because I would really be bummed to know someone with their entire frontal lobe removed from their cranium is one of Chicago’s finest.

Here’s the thing. If the ticket writer wrote the wrong state and expiration, there’s a good chance these tickets may not ever show up.

So, wait and see if you get a Notice of Violation from Chicago before you try fighting the tickets. If the notice doesn’t show up, it means you’re in the clear.

GEEK TIP: It may take months and even years in some cases for these violation notices to show up to out of state addresses. Put all your
documents, evidence and photos in a file somewhere just in case.

You can win contesting by mail if you have enough evidence and write a good letter.

I’m guessing by the photos you have and receipts you’ve held onto, you should probably prevail.

Make sure you bring up all the errors the ticket writer made as these errors should be grounds for the hearing officer to dismiss the tickets
outright.

But, don’t worry too much if you happen to lose. What can these jerks from Chicago do to someone like yourself who doesn’t live here? Not much!

Hope this helps.

Thanks

The Geek

Ask The Parking Ticket Geek is a semi-regular parking ticket advice column. If you have a question for The Parking Ticket Geek, please e-mail the Geek with your query at:askthegeek@theexpiredmeter.com

Dear Geek,

Apparently I have over $4,000 in parking tickets.

Arnold Scott Harris (the collection agency)  has been contacting me like crazy.

The problem is I have no money. I have been unemployed since September of 2010.

Do you have any idea what my options are? I wanted to see if they would offer me a settlement where I can pay half, but they claim they don’t do that. Do you know if that is true?

The lady said my only option is a payment plan. Is that true?

Thanks,

Jake

Unfortunately, the payment plan is your only option Jake.

The city doesn’t offer settlements–at least not under the Daley administration.

Work something out. The fact you are unemployed may qualify you for a hardship payment plan.

But try to do it with the city and NOT Arnold Scott Harris or any other collections firm.

You can probably work a better deal with the city and by doing so you may be able to screw Arnold Scott out of their fees.

Sorry to hear about your ticket troubles and the challenging employment and financial situation you’re facing now. That’s a lot of cash. But I’ve been there myself.

Thanks

The Geek

Parking Ticket Geek!

I got a ticket sent to me that is nearly 9 months old! or 3 days away from being 9 months old.

The ticket states I was too close to a fire hydrant on South Michigan.

Is there a time limit for this? Shouldn’t I have heard about this sooner? Is there a way to get them on these grounds? I attempted to look at a photo of this online, and there isn’t a photo of it. I get the feeling they were looking to patch up the end of the year budget, and this came up or something. What is going on here?

My car has New York plates, and is registered in New York state, but I use it in Chicago for most of the year.

Is my best bet to contest by mail? Or in person?

JL

The funny thing about parking tickets JL, is there is no statute of limitations.

Murder and parking tickets. No statute of limitations for each.

It’s probably due to your out of state plates that it took so long for the Violation Notice to get issued.

The fact it took so long to get you weakens their case a bit, but it doesn’t automatically make it dismissible.

Whatever you do, DON’T contest it by mail.

Fight it at an In-Person Hearing as a bad ticket for the following reasons:

1-You never received the original ticket.

2-And when you got the Violation Notice it took 9 months to get to you.

3-You don’t have a recollection of being there. ( See if you can produce any credit card statements showing you were somewhere else on that date)

4-Even if you were there, you have no memory of the event as you never received the original ticket and it happened 9 freakin’ months ago!!!! How
would you be expected to remember something this far back?

5-Explain that you know you cannot park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant and would never do that.

Essentially, you’re trying to build up some doubt in the mind of the Administrative Law Officer presiding at your hearing. It will come down to whether or not you are believable or not.

Contest it and see if this works. Either way, it’s a coin flip on whether you prevail or not. I’ve seen these situations go either way.

The Geek

Dear Mr. Geek,

I am a Michigan resident.

I was visiting Chicago last February and received two parking tickets (didn’t know I needed to feed a meter). I have not paid them. I received a letter threatening to have my car booted.

Again, I live in Michigan.

Will they bother to come up here an have my car booted?

Signed,

Bootless So Far

The vision of a Chicago boot truck on a  bounty hunter road trip mission to track your car down in Michigan makes me laugh Ms. Bootless So Far.

I can see the boot crew right now, with a cooler full of Mountain Dew and/or Red Bulls, a fistful of beef jerky and a big ass styrofoam cup of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee merging onto the Skyway out of town.

But the reality is Chicago can only boot on the public way (streets, alleys, etc.) within the borders of Chicago only.

Not in a suburb. Not in another state. Not even on private property.

So, don’t sweat it. You’re safe hiding out in Michigan.

Thanks,

The Geek

Geek,

I have a six foot wide port in front of my garage and its blocked on one side by a building.

Recently, I have been receiving $150 dollar tickets (3) from the city for parking in the alley. Standing in the alley by the adjacent building you cant even see my car. I have sent pictures and letters but keep getting determination letters.

This is wrong!

Sincerely,

Cedric

Without seeing your situation, I can only go by your description Cedric.

If you are parked on private property, there is no issue.

An alley is considered the public way. Private property, but it’s definition cannot be the public way.

It sounds like you have this small indentation off the alley that is private property and should be legal to park.

But you need to verify this by looking at CDOT’s online plat map of your property that shows your property lines. I would encourage you to go downtown to CDOT’s offices at 30 N. LaSalle to get them to print you an official City of Chicago map of the area in question. If the map backs your contention that you’re on private property, there’s no way you can lose with evidence from the city itself.

Another important thing you need to do is quit contesting these tickets by mail.

This is much too complex of a situation to fight via mail.

My opinion is you will continue to lose if you do it by mail. Fight it in person so you can show all your evidence and interact with the hearing officer. This should increase your chances of prevailing dramatically.

I would also contact Dept. of Revenue Street Operations to complain about what seems, from your description to be bordering on harassment. Here’s the number. 312-744-4500

Also, contact your local alderman’s office to step in on your behalf. This is what they’re there for.

Hope this helps.

The Geek

Ask The Parking Ticket Geek is a semi-regular parking ticket advice column. If you have a question for The Parking Ticket Geek, please e-mail the Geek with your query at:askthegeek@theexpiredmeter.com

I recently received a citation for Improperly Displayed City Sticker.

Which was given for a good reason there was not one on the windshield and the car is registered to an address within the city limits of Chicago.

I have been living in New Orleans for the past 6 months working for the federal government, and yes my car was with me. While there I had an apartment, obtained a Louisiana State ID, and even obtained a New Orleans residential parking/city sticker so that I could park my vehicle within the City limits of New Orleans.

So my job ended and I moved back to Chicago around the 20th of December. I was cited 01/05/11. I was wondering if I would fall within the 30 day grace period for new residents to Chicago?

What you think do I have a good argument?

Colin

What a nice warm welcome Mayor Daley gave you on your return to the Windy City Colin!

But based on your circumstances, your documentation from New Orleans and your time line, I don’t see why this wouldn’t work to have the city sticker is dismissed.

Three suggestions.

1-Get your city sticker right away (you’ve probably done this already).

2-Have the hearing in person so you can explain this complex situation. A letter may work, but chances are lower.

3-Bring in all that documentation you spoke of into the hearing. It will be the thing that wins the day.

Thanks!

The Geek

Dear Ticketmeister:

I ride a motorcycle 95% of the time (yes, even when its 21 degrees outside).

Since the powers-at-be in Chicago have decided to take the low road of being unfriendly to two-wheeled transportation by not providing specific spots for motorcycles to park, along with differential rates – I’ve made it my person mission to avoid paying for parking whenever possible.

In regards to the photo I’ve attached (see above) am I “legal” (or at least not illegal) to park outside of the “Pay for Parking” signed areas, as demonstrated in the photo attached? On the other side of the alley in the photo, there is another parking sign, pointing the opposite direction, with a similar “buffer” between the post and the corner.

Let me know, k?

Brad

Let me say I really like you Brad.

You are thinking outside the box, or perhaps, outside the parking spot.

I think you’re parked legally.

But just barely.

As long as there’s not a No Parking sign at any locations like this AND, not blocking or impeding traffic coming in and out of the alley, I don’t see how you should be legally ticketed.

I would try to move over a few inches to the right so there’s no question you’re not in the metered zone, just to be safe.

I should also warn you that you are probably going to get a few tickets this way from either stupid and don’t understand the law or hardass types who have a problem with you finding this parking loophole.

The only other danger is the possibility of getting clipped by some idiot driver trying to take a turn in or out of the alley. You take that risk parking there.

Keep it up Brad. I’m a fan of your creative thinking.

The Geek

Geek,

I was driving home from work the Tuesday night of the blizzard and got stuck one block from my house.

We had to push my car to the side of the road. My car was in a legitimate parking spot but facing the wrong way because I could not move it in the snow. The next morning I was ticketed for abandoned vehicle and obstructing snow removal at 7:57am.

Is there anything I can do? I have a hearing set up. Ticket was $100 bucks, $25 to release my vehicle and $260 for the tow.

Sean

Here’s the problem Sean.

On one hand, your car was technically in violation. From your description, it sounds like you may have been on a major thoroughfare and thus in violation of the 2″ snow ban.

On the other hand, it’s an act of God and you had very little control over the situation.

But when it comes to Daley getting and/or keeping his money, even God’s not going to get in the way.

I think your only hope is a two fold defense.

First, from my understanding, your car should not have been towed to the auto pound. The 2″ snow ban is not supposed to result in a trip to the auto pound–at least that’s not the stated policy of Streets & Sanitation. Tow trucks are just supposed to relocate vehicles in situations like this, at least according to S&S spokesperson Matt Smith.

But then again, this may not have been possible due to all the snow.

Blow in a call into Streets & Sanitation to get some sort of definitive answer–something you can bring to a hearing a evidence.

Second, I think you just blame everything on this act of God and leave it at that.

What other defense could you employ?

Your situation is so unique. It only happens once very 10-20 years, so I honestly don’t have any sort of easy answer for you.

Beg for mercy due to Snowpocalypse 2011.

Sorry, that’s all I got.

The Geek

Mr. Parking Geek,

I live in the Near North area which is very expensive and annoying to park in.

In front of many area restaurants there are signs for valet parking companies which appear to prohibit parking. Do these restaurants, or more likely their valet service, really own the parking all day in these areas?

I know it is a bad idea to mess with the valet companies but wanted to understand what the law says.

Would love to hear your advice.

Thanks.

Dan

The restaurants which have valet loading zones in front of their establishments do not “own” those spots Dan.

However, these joints and/or the valet company pay an annual fee to utilize the public way in this manner.

Valet parking spots are regulated by the times on the signs. Not the signs the valet guys drag out, but the permanent posted signs.

If a valet parking sign says 5 PM – 11 PM, then you or I can park in that spot outside of that time period.

But again, there needs to be a sign posted–a fixed metal sign.

If no sign, no valet zone.

I hear stories of valets illegally putting up temporary signs, but never have been able independently confirm this myself.

Thanks Dan.

The Geek
Ask The Parking Ticket Geek is a semi-regular parking ticket advice column.

If you have a question for The Parking Ticket Geek, please e-mail the Geek with your query at:askthegeek@theexpiredmeter.com

I hope you can answer this perplexing question. The husband was parked on a Sunday in an 8am-6pm, Mon-Sat, Loading Zone. He was issued a $50 ticket for Expired Meter or Overstay.

There were no meters present in the Loading Zone and the Paid Parking Zone was clearly indicated with signage with an arrow pointing in the opposite direction of where he was parked. We’ve checked out the city code and couldn’t find anything stating that one must pay for parking in loading zones outside of restricted hours and days. There was no sign stating this either.

Do you know what the code is on this particular situation? In the pre- LAZ days, parking in Loading Zones outside of restricted days/hours was considered a free spot—no meter to expire—but we’re curious if the rules are somehow different with the pay boxes? BTW, we’re contesting this ticket.

Thanks for your help.

Sugar

From your description, this is a totally bogus ticket Sugar.

It’s the signs that dictate where the metered parking exists.

As far as the signs are concerned, your husband was parked legally and didn’t have to feed the meter.

Take photos of the signs on the street pointing away from the loading zone.

That SHOULD do the trick.

If not, you have a goof for a hearing officer.

The Geek

Geek,

I received a ticket from one of those annoying cameras that supposedly captured me running a red light. Any thoughts on that matter?

Best Regards,

Eric

By either luck or perhaps the grace of God, I’ve never received a red light camera ticket Eric.

But considering how many darn cameras there are around Chicago and how much I drive, I don’t know how long my luck will hold out.

So I’ve started using the Cobra iRadar app for my iPhone that alerts me when I’m approaching an RLC intersection just to give me an edge. They also have an Android version coming out this spring.

This app is really cool and the data is perfect, meaning I have yet to experience a false positive.

There are a lot of RLC databases out there for GPS units, but Cobra’s data is the best. They have a full time staff which independently verifies RLC and speed camera locations and update their database twice a day. Plus, it’s a Chicago-based company so you know their Chiagoland data is going to be perfecto.

I would suggest using this app or something similar from called the Cobra SL3.

The MSRP is $99, less than the cost of a red light ticket and does the same thing as the iPhone app. You can the SL3 for even less at Best Buy.

The Geek STRONGLY recommends this type of pro-active technological approach to avoiding running red lights. With over 190 intersections being monitored by red light cameras, Chicago is the RLC capital of the U.S. When you add in all the suburban cameras, you have to drive prepared.

In fact, the Geek orders all Chicago drivers to get something like this in their car–NOW!

The Geek

Dear Parking Geek,

I got a orange ticket for Parking in Bus lane, yesterday. But I do not feel it’s not acceptable and would like to contest it.

I came to the Chicago yesterday only and got a ticket on my very first day. There was NO SIGN that mentions that “it’s not allowed to park here.”

I will now follow the steps to request for hearing as you suggested. If I go to a lawyer, how much would that cost me?

Kind Regards,

Velu

Hey Velu,

I think you’re on the hook for this one.

You should write this one off to a sort of urban tuition fee. Call it Chicago Parking 101.

In other words, you just learned to not park in a bus stop.

You’d lose if you fought this.

Being in town for only one day doesn’t mean you get a free pass for violating the parking regulations.

As far as a lawyer, it will cost you more for a lawyer than just paying the ticket.

Here’s a free piece of advice: pay the ticket before it doubles.

Welcome to Chicago.

The Geek

Hi Parking Ticket Geek,

I got a parking ticket for an expired meter yesterday right by the Shedd Aquarium.

The ticket was issued at 5pm, and I paid until past that time. The problem was that I put in 50 cents in dimes, and I guess it ended up not including the 50 cents in dimes, even though it took my money and didn’t return it.

There are no signs on the parking meter saying quarters ONLY. What do you recommend that I do?

Fermi

Dimes?

Really Fermi?

Do you you know what decade we’re living in?

Here’s your problem.

Chicago parking meters have not accepted dimes since the Edsel was first introduced.

I joke, because I don’t really know how long ago standard single head parking meters (like the ones around the Shedd) have only been accepting only quarters.

But its been a freakin’ long time–at least 20 years from my experience.

I would recommend fighting the ticket anyways and saying you paid in dimes and that you didn’t get your full time. If the meter doesn’t say it only accepts quarters, photograph that as evidence.

I’m not confident this will work, but heck, it’s worth a try.

Welcome to the 21st century Fermi.

The Geek

Ask The Parking Ticket Geek is a semi-regular parking ticket advice column.

If you have a question for The Parking Ticket Geek, please e-mail the Geek with your query at:askthegeek@theexpiredmeter.com

Hi Geek,

I recently received a ticket for parking in front of a driveway.

I parked there after it had snowed and the space was unrecognizable as a driveway since it had not been shoveled and at the building line there is a 7 foot chain link fence across the driveway from one building to another.

A few days later I returned to a ticket.

With the snow melted it was a little more clear I was in front of a driveway. At first I was surprised that the car had not been towed but considering the circumstances I now assume the driveway was not in use. Should I try to fight this ticket? Is there a chance for it to get dismissed?

Thanks,

Evan

I think you’re in kind of a grey area here Evan.

But, you should definitely fight it.

Essentially, it sounds like you parked in front what used to be a driveway. There’s a curb cut, but no destination for a vehicle to go to, and according to your description there’s a big ass permanent chain link fence blocking where the former driveway went.

To my mind, this is a bunk ticket written by some smart-alecky ticket writer.

So, let’s read the municipal code.

9-64-100 It shall be unlawful to park any vehicle in any of the following places:

(c) At any place where the vehicle will block vehicular access to or use of a driveway, alley or firelane;

Ok, that makes sense on the surface. But check out the definition of driveway in the muni code.

“Driveway or private road” means every way or place in private ownership and used for vehicular travel by the owner and those having express or implied permission from the owner but not by other persons.

It implies that in order for a driveway to be a driveway you actually need to be able to drive on the driveway. But the big ass fence is in the way so therefore it’s not a driveway. Instead, it’s just a useless curb cut with no where to go.

Here’s what I would do.

Request an in-person hearing. I don’t suggest you contest by mail on this one.

While you’re waiting for a hearing date, wait for it to snow again. When it does, take photos of what the curb cut looked like at the time you parked there. The photos should demonstrate that it was not clear there was a curb cut there.

In addition, provide photos of the fence and the non-driveway to bring to your hearing.

Make the argument it’s not a driveway for all the above reasons and cite the muni code I listed above. At the very least it is, at the very least, very confusing.

To put icing on this little cake we’re making, I would also take some time to take photos of what real driveways look like and present those photos as evidence of how most people define driveways.

I don’t have 100% confidence in this defense. But, if you present your argument in a common sense way and you get a hearing officer who embraces a common sense interpretation of the term “driveway,” I believe you win this one.

Thanks,

The Geek

Hey there Geek,

Here is my latest parking dilemma.

I was driving my 81 yr old grandmother downtown in my car and we brought along her handicap placard to hang in on the rear view mirror when we park. Upon arriving back at the car we were shocked to find a ticket
on the windshield.

The violation was being parked during “Rush Hour” (4-6) and was issued at 5:30pm. There was no sign near our car that said that, only far down the block.

My question is, shouldn’t the fact that we had the handicap sign in the window made us exempt from this ticket?

Please let me know whether to pay or contest it. Thanks so much for your help!

Amanda

p.s. They didn’t note the handicap sign on the ticket at all.

Amanda,

Unfortunately, your grandmother’s handicapped placard does not allow you to park for free anywhere you feel like it. And placards don’t possess any special powers that magically repel all parking tickets.

Handicapped plates and placards do two main things.

1. Allows vehicles possessing the placards or plates to park legally in parking spots designated for handicapped persons.

2. Let’s cars with these plates and placards to park for free at any metered parking spaces in the city of Chicago without the typical time limits other drivers face.

So, because you have the placard dangling from the rear view mirror doesn’t mean you can park the car in front of a fire hydrant, in a tow zone or leave your vehicle parked in a rush hour zone.

And despite the fact there was only one sign, parked all the way down the block it looks like you’re out 50 bucks. That’s because the city only has to post one sign per block. Yeah, it sucks, but the city says it’s the driver’s responsibility to obey signs even if they’re posted an eighth of a mile away from where you parked.

Sorry Amanda.

The Geek

Mr. Geek,

If you have a temporary residential parking sticker for a parking space and there is a meter box there that states you have to pay the meter box from 6am-6pm, do you still have to pay for the meter? (ie: I parked at 8pm on a Thursday and put my sticker in the window and I received a ticket at 10am for an expired meter).

I thought the residential parking permits were good for 24 hours?

Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Polly

Yeah, this situation can be confusing Polly.

There are some areas of the city where metered spaces and residential permit areas overlap.

It is my opinion that the city should eliminate any of these seemingly contradictory parking situations.

But the thing everyone should know is the metered zone has precedence over the residential parking zone.

Of course, your RPP sticker was good for 24 hours, but you would still have to feed the meter where applicable.

So, yeah, sorry to say I think you’re screwed here.

The Geek

Ask The Parking Ticket Geek is a semi-regular parking ticket advice column.

If you have a question for The Parking Ticket Geek, please e-mail the Geek with your query at:askthegeek@theexpiredmeter.com

Dear Parking Ticket Geek,

On Friday my family & I visited the Shedd aquarium and fed a meter $5 to park until 4:01 p.m.

At 3:45 we made our way out of the aquarium, but as we were walking past the lockers heading out of the accessible exit, my 2 year old grabbed a door and shook it – and got her thumb pinched between the doors. She instantly shrieked and a blood blister appeared on her thumb. We sat, calmed, consoled, and bandaged as quickly as was humanly possible.

We grabbed our stuff and walked as briskly as you can lugging a 2 year old and a 5 month old, and just as we rounded the odd fountain with the man holding a fish, we could see flashing lights, and my watch read 4:01.

By the time we hit the crosswalk we could see him at our car, and when we reached our car at 4:04 we had a ticket that read 4:03. BAH.

I know since it’s a meter we don’t fall under the 5 minute grace period, but is it worth pleading our sob story? We’ve NEVER had a parking ticket.

Jessica

I would make your 2 year old pay the ticket Jessica.

Use this as a teachable moment. our child’s goofing around cost you $50. You need to put your foot down. Kids need to learn. Screw the time out or spanking, crack open their piggy bank and pay the fine in pennies, nickels and dimes. At least, that’s what I would do.

Of course, I’m joking. But man, don’t young kids slow you down?

Holy cow. I have a 7 year old and a 3 year old. Everything takes three times as long! Just to get out the door, especially in the winter–with all the hats, mittens and coats–it takes 20 minutes easily.

And let me warn you. You think age 2 is bad? Age 3 is is WAY worse. Terrible twos? No, terrible, horrible threes.

As far as your ticket, I don’t think you have a very good chance on winning this. Sob stories or trying to evoke sympathy rarely, if ever works–at least from my experience.

Like you mention, and what I read of the 5 minute grace period it seems to only apply to the new pay boxes as the old style meters don’t spit out timed receipts.

But, I would try fighting the ticket using this argument anyways. It’s worth a shot.

Go ahead and invoke the 5 minute grace period. Make the claim you were back within 5 minutes of when the meter expired and therefore the ticket should be thrown out.

If you AND your husband provide letters making the case, despite the lack of the meter receipt, you were back at the car less than five minutes from when the meter expired. If the car’s in your name, get your husband’s testimony notarized, or vice versa.

Maybe, maybe it may work.

As far as the back story regarding your two year old’s finger, I would leave it out.

Good luck with the kids Jessica, AND the ticket.

Keep us posted.

The Geek

Geek!

I received a Violation Notice for Street Cleaning.

The issuing person on entered their initials. The ordinance clearly states that the Violation Notice must be signed.

Think I have a valid defense?

Sincerely,

No Sig

I’m with you No Sig, a signature is not initials.

Would a bank let you cash a check with just initials on the signature line? Would a lender let you sign for a mortgage with initials?

There’s a time and place for initials, but legally I don’t think they’re considered the same as a full signature.

I say go for it! Fight the ticket it based on the lack of a true signature. Cite the municipal code (which is a restatement of Illinois state law).

It will be interesting to see if the Administrative Law Officer will buy your argument or consider the initials the same as a signature. ALO’s can be pretty lenient with ticket writers when it comes to how a ticket must be legally filled out to be a legally written violation. But I think you have a decent shot.

Tell us what happens for sure.

The Geek

Hey Geek,

I recently transferred plates from a car that owed 3 tickets from 2 years ago, which I got the warning of immobilization in October, 2010.

I transferred the plates to a new car.

Would my new car still be at risk of being booted?

Terry

The answer is yes Terry.

And not just a regular, straight forward yes.

It’s more like YES! It’s an ear splitting YES from the speaker of a bullhorn right next to your hear telling you transferring your old plates have put your new car in imminent mortal danger of being booted by the city.

Either pay your tickets or try changing your plates. But even changing your plate is no guarantee you won’t be booted with the new plates as the tickets follow the registered owner.

Sadly, the only guaranteed way to keeping the boot of your car is paying the tickets–or moving far away from Chicago.

So, I say figure out something quick or you may find a bright yellow metal boot on your car sooner than you’d hope.

The Geek

Hi Expert,

I had to run in my apartment quick, so I parked in a yellow “Tow Zone” and threw my hazards on.

15 minutes later I had a $60 ticket.

I’m not the first person to park here. Do the hazards help at all or are they simply attracting attention?

Lacey

Lacey,

I’m told through my sources within the Dept. of Revenue, when parked in a blatantly illegal spot (one with no possible defenses), throwing your flashers on is the equivalent to waving a red cape in front of a pissed off two ton bull.

It’s an open invite to a ticket writer to leave you a bright orange present.

Sorry for your ticket Lacey.

The Geek

Ask The Parking Ticket Geek is a semi-regular parking ticket advice column.

If you have a question for The Parking Ticket Geek, please e-mail the Geek with your query at:askthegeek@theexpiredmeter.com