Meter company bills city $13.5M for disabled parking

December 13, 2011 (CHICAGO)

Under the lease deal, disabled drivers can park for free, but the city has to make up the difference for any amount above $4.4 million.

This year the company says that amount is $13.5 million, a sum Mayor Rahm Emanuel is not happy with.

"I am watching every dollar that the taxpayers have as if it's our own--my own--personal dollar," said Emanuel. "I'm not going to be free with their money. The company, just because they submitted it, shouldn't think they're gonna get it."

In an effort to stop those cheating the parking system, Mayor Emanuel says he wants to raise the fees and penalties for those caught using fraudulent disability placards.

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