Jesse White Announces Second Annual Sting Targeting Holiday Shoppers
Who Abuse Disability Parking Laws
CHICAGO — Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced today that Secretary of State police will work with local law enforcement to crack down on holiday shoppers who illegally park in disability parking spaces at their local malls.
On Friday, November 25, Secretary of State Police as directed by White, will be out enforcing the program at Woodfield, Oak Brook, and Orland Park malls. White warned similar efforts would take place statewide at malls throughout the holiday season.
Last season, Secretary of State Police issued 222 citations for violations of the program.
"Let's remember that the holiday season is not just about exchanging gifts with friends and family, but being kind and considerate to others," White said. "And that means leaving the parking spaces for those truly in need even if you're in a hurry."
The fine for parking in the spaces can be as much $350.
The fine for illegally using a placard or disability license plates to park in an accessible parking space without the authorized holder of the placard or disability license plates present is a maximum of $500. In addition, violators can be subject to a 30-day administrative driver's license suspension from the Secretary of State for the first-offense.
In addition, this year the Secretary of State began the re-certification process of all permanent placards requiring all people who have been issued permanent placards since 2002 to re-certify, purge, or re-classify their disability with Secretary of State.
The 2006-2010 permanent placards have also been redesigned with an advanced hologram image, making it more difficult to fraudulently reproduce a placard. In 2002, Illinois became the first state to begin using hologram images on their placards. In addition to the new hologram image, each placard contains the following message to ensure proper usage:
This placard is not transferable. It is illegal to copy or duplicate this placard. The authorized holder must be present and must enter or exit the vehicle at the time the parking privileges are being used. Unauthorized use may result in a $500 fine and suspension of driver's license and/or revocation of the placard.
Secretary White urged people to call to report abuse of parking spaces to his office. The number is 217-785-0309. Callers should be prepared to report placard and license plate numbers as well as locations of vehicles.
There are more than 412,000 disability placards and approximately 90,000 disability license plates.
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