Chicago winter overnight parking ban begins overnight

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago drivers should be sure to set a reminder. The city's annual winter overnight parking ban starts Dec. 1.

That means anyone parked along snow routes between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. from Dec. 1 to April 1. The ban applies even if there is no snow on the ground.

Driver who do not observe the ban will get socked with a $60 ticket. If their vehicle is towed, they would have to pay a $150 towing fee, plus a daily $20 storage fee.

Unfortunately, not one car owner that ABC7 Eyewitness News talked to Wednesday afternoon knew that the ban was going into effect.

"What? There's no snow!" said Kym Hinton.

Workers from the Department of Streets and Sanitation handed out flyers to reminder drivers of the ban.

"We understand that it is an inconvenience to some residents, but we hope they understand it's for the greater good to get people moving during these tough Chicago winters," said Anne Sheahan, Chief of Staff for CDSS.

The steep fines and sudden enforcement, which many residents miss each year, has spurred some city politicians to take action. Alderman Robert Maldonado (26th Ward) introduced an ordinance which would give drivers a warning rather than a ticket for the first offense.

To see a full map of Chicago's winter overnight parking ban routes, visit the city's website at www.cityofchicago.org/streets or call 311.