Chicago drivers reminded about parking ban

Overnight parking bans on key arterial streets start at 3 a.m. on December 1, 2008. Starting that morning, cars parked between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. on streets with ban signs posted will be ticketed and towed, even if there is no snow on the ground.

Parking will also be restricted on designated "snow routes" when there are two or more inches of snow.

"If these streets shut down, the city could have lots problems. We won't be able to get emergency vehicles through. That's why we have this restriction, to protect the most vital streets in the city," said Matt Smith of the Department of Streets and Sanitation.

The overnight parking restriction runs through April 1, 2009.