ABATE of Illinois - Chicago Chapter

Motorcycle Parking in Chicago

We have worked with the City of Chicago and LAZ Parking on existing and new parking issues including the New Parking Meter Systems. Here are some helpful links.

Chicago Meters - Motorcycles, Scooters and Pay Boxes
An article on LAZ's website explaining the Chicago Parking Meters (CPM) and Pay Boxes System

Printable Motorcycle Scooter Parking Brochure (PDF)
A Printable Tri-fold Brochure with some very useful information from Residential Parking Zones, City Stickers and Parking at a Meter or at a Pay and Display Machine

City of Chicago - Parking Your Motorcycle or Scooter in Chicago
This is the City of Chicago's Department of Revenue page

Special Parking Rates For Motorcycles or Scooters
This is the City of Chicago's Department of Revenue page

JIMBO's LAW

OK, so it's not an actual law, but that's what we dubbed it. The following is Jimbo's Newsletter Article from our September/October 2009 Issue.

On the legislative side of things, I had something that hit pretty close to home that you might be interested in. Our block has permit parking, so unless you have a block permit on your windshield or a temporary permit, you are not allowed to park on our block. Anyway, there was a "Block Party" on the next block where I live. Once the parking spaces began filling up, I’m sure some of my neighbors began calling the police, to complain about some of the people parking on the block without permits.

Since I have lived on this block for over 20 years, I felt confident about parking my bike in front of my house. So, later on that same afternoon, I went out to get something out of the saddlebags of my bike, and I had to do a double take. There on my windshield of my bike was a parking ticket. Well, the first thing I did was to make sure my old age had not affected my memory. So, I double-checked to make sure the plates and city sticker (the ones that Abate and the Mayor’s office designed) were up to date.

Since every thing was legal I pulled the ticket off the windshield to see what the problem was. To my surprise it was because I did not have a parking permit on the bike. I stormed into the house and grabbed the brochure that I had gotten from the mayor’s office entitled, ‘Parking Your Motorcycle or Scooter in Chicago.’ The brochure clearly stated that no permit is required in regards to motorcycles or scooters.

So I grabbed my keys and drove the bike down to the nearest police station. I talked to the desk Sergeant and told him that one of his officers made a mistake and asked him to void the ticket. He told me that he could not do that, but that I should have a good case when I go to court. So I said, "Let me get this straight, I have to take a day off of work to go to court because your officers do not know the law?" He said that there was nothing he could do about it. I muttered under my breath "This is bullshit." And I left.

I then called Pat Jones, the President of Abate (Chicago), and told him my tale. He told me not to worry because he had a meeting coming up with one of the Mayor’s aides. I was supposed to go with him, but overslept (forgot to set the alarm). But, I got a call from Dan Harper (our VP), asking me for the information that was on the ticket. I dug out the ticket and gave him all the information. He than said he would call me back in a little while.

When Dan called back about an hour later, he informed me that the ticket was handled. He said that they had had a meeting with Mathew Darst, First Deputy, of the Dept. of Revenue, and that I would be getting a letter in the mail. Because of my situation they made the "Jimbo Law." So, from now on, when a ticket is issued to a motorcycle for permit parking, the City’s computer will kick it out of the system. Than a letter will be mail to the bikes owner, telling them that they don’t need to take any action, and that the ticket has already been taken out of the system. So you won’t have to worry about it anymore. THAT IS WHY YOU NEED TO JOIN ABATE. We ARE making a difference, people.

On a further note, this is a perfect example of how we handle things. Before we fly off the handle and start calling the media and voicing our displeasure or concern, we asses the situation, contact the people responsible and sit down to discuss a solution. If that doesn't work, then we rally the troops and do what we do best

EDUCATE