Ask The Parking Ticket Geek

Dear Parking Ticket Geek,

I found your website while Googling in anger about a ticket I just got for having no 2010 city sticker. I completely forgot to buy it by today.

Do you know how long I have before the police can give me another $120 sticker?

And do you think I should display my ticket in my window until I get a new sticker (which will likely happen tomorrow, but with the way the cops run things nowadays, they probably have a cop hanging on the undercarriage of my car Cape Fear style waiting to give me a ticket in the morning)?

I imagine the cop computers tell them I just got a ticket for no sticker and to give me some time, but I need some reassurance from the expert. Thanks!

David

David-

Do exactly what I say.

You must follow my instructions to the letter. No questions asked.

Get to the closest 24 hour Currency Exchange and purchase your city sticker now. I don't mean in the morning, I mean immediately, this very minute, this moment, N-O-W, NOW!

Seriously, if you're reading this at 3 AM, take off your pajamas, put on your clothes, and get your butt in gear now. Do it NOW!

You can be ticketed every single day until you get that city sticker on your windshield. At $120 a pop, you'll go broke VERY fast.

Be prepared to pay a $40 late fee, but, it's worth it.

Good luck.

The Geek

Hello Geek,

Here are some pic's I took after I received a ticket on Sedgwick & Chicago Ave.

I was parked in the section where there was no sign posted indicating the meter need to be feed for that section.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Cesar

Cesar-

Just from your photographs, it looks like you're in the clear here.

Even to a moron like myself, it seems pretty freakin' clear where the metered zone ends and begins. So, you'd have to be even a true dimwit to write a ticket for a car parked outside the area designated to be metered.

The signs, seem to bookend that portion of the block where you need to actually pay the meter for parking. The signs define the area as metered.

There doesn't seem to be a sign or a pay box on the portion of the block you are parked.

If one just follows the signs, one would think even a Democratic Machine patronage city worker, would be able to figure out where metered parking is and or is not.

Based just on your photos, you should NOT have been ticketed and you should absolutely fight this. It's a slam dunk from what I can see. Good job!

Very truly yours,

The Geek

P.S. GREAT photos. Everyone should take some tips from how you shot them and the presentation.

Hey Geek,

I have a question for you. If I'm on the parking payment plan can I still be booted?

Thank you for a great website and I hope to hear an answer soon.

Thank again,

Lisa

Lisa.

The quick answer is no. The payment plan allows you to pay off your debt without being booted.

However, if you default on your payment plan, I'm sure the evil boot vans will come looking for you.

Of course, if you get even more tickets and don't fight and/or pay them, you can get back on that nasty boot list.

So make your payments on time, keep your nose clean and don't get any new tickets.

Thanks

The Geek

Mr. Parking Ticket Geek,

I have a question for you. I recently moved to Lake Shore Drive, specifically the 3400 block. There are signs saying do not park on the east side during 4-6 pm.

I have been complying with this, but Friday, July 3rd, I was slightly late moving my car and got a ticket at 4:02 pm! Kind of harsh, but acceptable, I guess.

Then I thought about the fact that it was July 3rd, and wondered if this should be considered a holiday since July 4th fell on a Saturday. Certainly it was a holiday for the city. Do you have any idea about this? Do I have a case?

Thanks!

Matt

Matt-

I think you may have something there.

What you're talking about is called Rush Hour Parking.

Many major thoroughfares in Chicago are subject to these Monday-Friday restrictions in the morning and evening, to allow buses and traffic to theoretically, move more expediently. Usually, one side of the street has a morning restriction (7-9 AM) and the opposite side an evening restriction (4-6 PM). Some one way streets downtown have both morning and evening rush hour restrictions.

While from what I read in the municipal code (assuming I'm reading the right provision) is that the regulation is in effect Monday through Friday. There does not seem to be am exception for holidays--which is of course, totally stupid.

However, I think a decent hearing officer will buy your argument. Because, officially, all City of Chicago offices (non-emergency) were closed on Friday, July 3rd to recognize the Independence Day holiday.

If the City of Chicago recognized July 3rd as a holiday, how can there be a rush hour?

If Christmas or New Year's Day fell on a weekday, would there be a rush hour on those days?

Is there a rush hour on the Monday or Labor Day or Memorial Day?

Of course not. Duh.

There was no rush hour on July 3rd, because it was a city holiday. Unless you consider the traffic going into Grant Park for the fireworks a rush.

I think if you make this argument, you have a good chance to win this.

Try it and see. But tell us if it works or not.

Good luck

The Geek