Chicago's residents are bracing for an overnight winter parking ban starting Monday, regardless of whether snow falls or not. Beginning at 3 a.m. and lasting until 7 a.m., drivers will need to find alternative accommodations from December 1 through April 1.
The City Department of Streets and Sanitation is enforcing the ban on over 100 miles of main streets, including parts of Milwaukee Avenue, Madison Street, and Division Street, among others. Violators risk being towed to pounds at Doty Avenue or Sacramento Street, with a minimum $150 towing fee, a $60 ticket, and an additional daily storage charge of $25.
A last-minute reprieve from the parking ban was granted in 2023 when Chicago delayed its implementation by one day, but that didn't prevent 244 drivers from being towed on December 2. The new ban will put an even greater burden on residents who may struggle to find safe and secure places to park their vehicles during the winter months.
For those wondering whether their vehicle was among those towed, they can check online or call 311 for more information. A map of streets affected by the ban is also available for reference.
The City Department of Streets and Sanitation is enforcing the ban on over 100 miles of main streets, including parts of Milwaukee Avenue, Madison Street, and Division Street, among others. Violators risk being towed to pounds at Doty Avenue or Sacramento Street, with a minimum $150 towing fee, a $60 ticket, and an additional daily storage charge of $25.
A last-minute reprieve from the parking ban was granted in 2023 when Chicago delayed its implementation by one day, but that didn't prevent 244 drivers from being towed on December 2. The new ban will put an even greater burden on residents who may struggle to find safe and secure places to park their vehicles during the winter months.
For those wondering whether their vehicle was among those towed, they can check online or call 311 for more information. A map of streets affected by the ban is also available for reference.
Parking nightmare in Chicago 
I'm all for keeping our streets clear but this overnight parking ban seems like a huge hassle for regular folks. $150 towing fee? That's steep! What if you're not even going to be out and about during the snowy hours? It feels like the city is expecting everyone to have a backup plan, which isn't exactly realistic. And good luck finding alternative parking spots on short notice... it's gonna be a long winter 
I mean, who hasn't had to deal with a flat tire or just needed a quick errand run at 3 am? It's already stressful enough trying to find parking without having to worry about getting towed. And the fact that it's enforced even when there isn't snow is just ridiculous. I don't get why they can't just leave some parking spots open for people who need them most, like seniors or those with disabilities. Anyone else think this is a bit excessive? 
winter is already stressful enough without having to worry about losing your car 
and i dont think the city has thought this one through, i mean what if some people dont have a garage or a trusted friend/family member to stash their car overnight? 
its just gonna be another extra expense for them when they're already shelling out for groceries and heating bills 
at least the map is available online tho 
! i remember back in my day we didn't have all these rules and regulations, but now it seems like everything has to be so precise. 3 a.m.-7 a.m.? that's just crazy talk! what about people who work non-traditional hours or have to park on the other side of town? they're gonna get stuck with no place to go 
I mean, I get it, safety first and all that, but who's gonna find a safe spot to park at 3 am?! 
It's just gonna be a nightmare for everyone. And $150 towing fee?! 
That's not even a fun night out in town if you're stuck paying that. And what about those who can't afford it? 
they're gonna have to deal with a parking ban regardless of whether it snows or not 
that's just crazy! i think its not very considerate towards drivers who might not have access to alternative parking options, especially during winter when you need your car most 
. I mean, who needs to spend their weekend trying to find a spot on a frozen street? It's not exactly easy to be prepared for this, you know? And what about all the people who can't afford to have their cars towed or deal with those extra storage fees? 
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. I mean, who needs a parking ban just because it's winter? It's not like we can't find some decent spot to park our cars at night. And good luck finding alternative accommodations, especially if you live on one of those main streets they're banning... 100 miles is a lot! 
. What's next, a ban on breathing or something? 
I get the need to restrict parking on main streets during winter, but 100 miles of roads? That's a lot of cars stuck out on the sidewalk or in someones backyard 
Maybe that's exactly what these Chicagoans need – a fresh start during the winter months, without the added stress of parking worries! 
. While some may view this measure as an onerous restriction, I firmly believe that it is a necessary precautionary measure to ensure public safety and maintain the integrity of our infrastructure 
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and now we're all stuck dealing with it
and it's gonna be enforced 24/7 regardless if there's snow or not 
residents are gonna have to get creative findin places to park their cars like legit parking garages or neighbors houses etc, which is actually pretty cool tbh the city's makin moves tho towing fees are kinda steep tho $150 minimum? that's crazy!
. Can't they just give us a heads up before the ban starts? 
$150 plus towing fee is like, whoa! 
anyone who struggles with finding places to park needs to be prepared for this