A timely reminder

State-mandated accessible parking violation fines go up Jan. 1         

[DEC. 2, 2005]  Below is a copy of a letter that the Lincoln Police Department has been sending out to individuals who have received handicap (accessible) parking citations over the last two years in Lincoln. This is a short version of the letter, provided by Robert Rawlins, chief of police.

The City of Lincoln will be updating City Ordinance 9-5-21 (B) titled Unauthorized Use of Parking Places Reserved for Handicapped Persons. Effective Jan. 01, 2006 an update to the Illinois Vehicle Code will go into effect. The updates are for the increase to penalties for Disability Parking Abuse. Governor Rod Blagojevich signed into law the following changes:

(1) Vehicles not displaying a disability license plate, disabled veteran plate or placard parked in spaces reserved for persons with disabilities. It shall be prohibited to park any motor vehicle in a designated access aisle adjacent to any parking place specifically reserved for person with disabilities—the mandatory minimum fine will be increased from $100 to $250. The maximum fine municipalities are allowed to impose increases from $100 to $350.

(2) For vehicles displaying a disability license plate, disabled veteran plate or placard and parking in a space reserved for persons with disabilities when the authorized holder of the plate or placard is not driving the vehicle or being transported in the vehicle—the mandatory fine is $500, up from $100. In addition, the Secretary of State can administratively suspend or revoke the driver’s license of the driver and the license plates or placard. Suspensions and revocations were not allowed previously.

(3) Persons who illegally manufacture or alter plates or placards, obtain plates or placards based on fictitious information, or knowingly transfer plates or placards to others so that they may use privileges granted to authorized holders of the plates or placards will be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor which is a maximum of $1000 and subject to a fine of not less than $500 for the first offense.

There are over 550,000 placards and over 90,000 disability plates in Illinois.

Just a reminder the Illinois State Statute states, that the parking decal or device (placard) must be displayed properly in the vehicle where it is clearly visible to law enforcement personnel, either hanging from the rearview mirror or placed on the dashboard of the vehicle in clear view.

Robert Rawlins
Chief of Police, Lincoln Illinois