Ask The Parking Ticket Geek - City Sticker Edition

Do you know if you are still required to buy a city "sticker" for a motorcycle even if the bike is not being used but was licensed for this year. I renewed my license but then had to move my bike to storage since I do not have a place to keep it at my current address.

I have heard rumors that since the City Clerk is now integrated with the state's license registration system that you will receive a ticket in the mail if you do not purchase the city sticker for a currently registered vehicle....quite annoying if true.

Thank you,

Stored Bike

Dear Stored Bike,

Don't waste your money.

The municipal code is pretty clear on this. As long as the vehicle doesn't drive on a Chicago street, it does not need a city sticker. If it's in storage, you don't need it.

As far as the City Clerk mailing tickets to you for not having a city sticker by cross referencing the Secretary of State's database, I have not heard anything about this. I wouldn't rule this out for the future though. Those money grubbing whores at City Hall are looking for any way to raise money on the backs of motorists. But as of now, it's only a rumor.

Very truly yours,

The PTG

Hey Geek,

I have a question. Would I still receive ticket for an expired city sticker if I don't renew by June 30th? I plan on getting on July 15th (paycheck). Thank you so much for all the help.

Thanks,

Nicole

Dearest Nicole,

As long as you have a city sticker on your windshield by 11:59:59 on July 15th, you will not get a ticket for failure to display a city vehicle sticker.

Get to a Currency Exchange on the 15th to get your sticker, but be prepared to wait. This late in the game, lines for city stickers at Currency Exchanges can be long.

Very truly,

The Geek

Geek,

Add me to the list of people ticketed for displaying the new city sticker - violation "No city sticker or improper display".

Of course, the ticket photos show the new sticker clearly on the passenger side windshield. Arrgh! I assume contesting by mail with the proper documentation should be enough?

-Jon

Jon-

I don't see how you lose.

The ticket writer is just brain dead. How do you do that job and not know what the new stickers look like? C'mon now!

Don't forget to point out to the hearing officer that the blurry photo the ticket writer took, actually supports YOU.

Your strategy should be fool proof. But then again, this is the city of Chicago.

Keep us posted Jon.

The Geek

Dear Geek,

I am moving out of the city of Chicago on July 10 (not because of the parking fiasco, but if that's how it looks, I'm ok with that).

Since the city does not begin enforcing the city sticker ordinance until July 15, this should mean I don't have to buy a city sticker this year. However, I will be back in Chicago a few weeks later. I don't know that I will have had the opportunity to get my registration changed by the time I return for a visit.

So, my question to you is...when I come back for a visit, I'd only get a ticket if I parked on the street, right? If I can park in private lots, I should be ok, right? If I did get a ticket, there'd be no reason for me to pay it, once I got my registration changed, right?

Thanks!

Ray

Ray-

Don't fret about parking on public streets in Chicago.

Technically, you have 30 days from the date you move to your new residence to change your registration with the state. You should be fine.

Even if you get a city sticker violation while back in the city, you officially don't live here so it would be easy to fight as you will have changed your registration by the time you fight any theoretical ticket you may possibly, potentially, receive.

I would suggest, since your 2008-2009 city sticker is expired, remove it from your windshield. Often ticket writers will see last year's sticker on your windshield, and not this year's and ASSUME you are not in compliance even though you reside outside the city. Don't let them have an excuse to be ticketed.

In fact, make a trip down to the village hall of where you now reside and get a vehicle sticker from them and slap it on your windshield. This is very helpful in repelling unwanted Chicago city sticker tickets.

Very truly yours,

The Geek