Sec’y of State Jesse White targets holiday shoppers abusing Disability Parking at Malls Statewide

Marks the 7^th year Secretary of State Police Conduct Enforcement

 

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced today that he has directed the Secretary of State Police to conduct a statewide enforcement effort to crack down on people who illegally park in disability parking spaces at shopping malls beginning on Black Friday, November 23rd. 

Secretary of State Police will be enforcing the provisions of the Parking Program for Persons with Disabilities at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, Water Tower Place in Chicago, as well as malls in Carbondale, Champaign, Peoria, Fairview Heights, Rockford, and Springfield on November 23rd, the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season and the busiest shopping day of the year.  Other enforcements will take place during the holiday season in Chicago, the suburbs, and across the state of Illinois.

“Our mission is not to give tickets, but to ensure the parking spaces are available to those who need them,” White said.  “Parking illegally in a space reserved for those who are disabled will mean more money will be spent on fines and less towards gifts.  My message is simple: if you don’t belong there, don’t park there.”

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 accessible 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 via 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.