Oak Park To Start Parking Pilot Program In Early 2019

OAK PARK, IL --- Oak Park officials recently announced that they plan to launch a parking pilot program in 2019 in an effort to make the village's parking system more efficient. The new parking rules will be tested out starting between Harlem and Oak Park Avenues and from South Boulevard to Harrison Street, according to a recent news release.

At press time, do date was set for the parking pilot program's kickoff. Once he parking pilot program's test rules go into effect, here are some changes the village will be putting into play in the aforementioned area.

In February, the village will implement new pilot parking rules that include extending parking times at meters until 8 p.m. instead of 6 p.m. The aim is to make more parking spaces available for customers during popular dining hours at restaurants.

February will also bring graduated pricing to pay stations, allowing drivers to park for longer than three hours if they pay an additional fee. After the initial three hours (still priced at $1 an hour), drivers can pay $3 for each additional hour. The graded pay rate is intended to encourage residents who park for extended times to use parking garages instead of street spaces.

New test regulations to take effect in March will include standardized parking limits on residential streets between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Officials say they hope this will ultimately be more effective and consistent than the regulations that are currently in effect, which may vary depending on the street you live on.

If residents park on the street they live on during the day and have a valid village sticker, they will not be affected by the standardized time limit.

Other expected changes include pay-by-plate parking spaces on Madison Street and more night permit parking spots on Madison, Marion, and Pleasant.

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