Handicapped Parking Sting Targets Holiday Shoppers In Illinois

If you've ever been tempted to park in a handicapped spot to save yourself some time or a long walk, don't even try it: Secretary of State Jesse White on Tuesday said Secretary of State Police will be on the lookout for parking violators at malls throughout Illinois during the holiday shopping season. The program, now in its 11th year, will start the unofficial first day of the holiday shopping season, Black Friday, Nov. 24, at malls in Aurora, Bloomington, Carbondale, Chicago, Fairview Heights, Oak Brook, Orland Park, Peoria, Rockford, Schaumburg and Springfield.

Other enforcements will take place during the holiday season in Chicago, the suburbs and throughout the state.

“Our mission is not to issue tickets, but to ensure that accessible parking spaces are available to those
who need them,” White said. “Parking illegally in a space reserved for people with disabilities means
a possible driver’s license suspension and a hefty fine, money which could otherwise be used on
gifts. Remember, if you don’t belong there, don’t park there.”

Drivers who misuse placards that don't belong to them face a six-month driver’s license suspension and a $600 fine. Repeat violators will face a one-year driver’s license suspension and a $750 fine for a second offense, and for third or subsequent offenses, violators could wind up with a $1,000 fine plus a one-year driver’s license revocation.

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The fine for parking in an accessible parking space without a disability placard or license plates can be up to $350 and using a deceased person’s placard or a fraudulent placard can result in a $2,500 fine and one-year revocation of a driver’s license.

Currently, 627,281 permanent disability placards and 51,416 disability license plates are registered in
Illinois.

White urges individuals to report abuse of parking spaces for people with disabilities by
calling 217-785-0309. Callers should be prepared to report placard and license plate numbers as well
the as the location 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.

However, one suburban woman had some words of caution for those who report an apparently able-bodied person for falsely using a handicapped parking placard. A Plainfield mom with was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis last week said a stranger left a nasty note on her car accusing her of not needing her placard. She urged people to think twice about making assumptions about those who may be dealing with "invisible" illness or disabilities that may not be apparent at first glance.

Read: Mom With MS Finds Nasty Note After Parking In Handicapped Spot

AP Photo/Bill Wolf