A new law that takes effect in January allows free metered parking only for drivers who have a doctor's note.
Since May, Illinois officials have been mailing applications for new, yellow-gray placards that are for drivers who have a permanent disability and are exempt from paying parking meter fees. There are blue placards for people with permanent disabilities who are not meter-exempt.
Legislators hope the new placards will cut down on those qualified to park for free and on cheaters who use the placards illegally.
