Many cars towed after Chicago winter parking ban goes into effect

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Tow trucks went to work early Thursday morning on Chicago streets as the city's winter overnight parking ban went into effect. It was an expensive morning for anyone who forgot to move their car. Arti Karmur was one of them.

"I walked out - and there were seven or eight cars that were also parked there - they were all gone. Originally I was like, 'Oh my gosh, my car's been stolen. Along with a bunch of others,'" Kamur said.

"There's no snow. A lot of the signs say, 'When there's 2 inches of snow,'" Kamur said.

The signs read, "NO PARKING 3AM - 7 AM DEC 1 - APR 1 OR WHEN SNOW IS OVER 2 INCHES," which means parking is from 3-7 a.m. from Dec. 1 - April 1 or any time there is more than 2 inches of snow on the ground.

The parking ban impacts 107 miles of critical main streets across Chicago. The city said it needs to be able to plow and salt main roads after it snows.

To see a full map of Chicago's winter overnight parking ban routes, visit www.cityofchicago.org/streets or call 311 for more information.

Jonathan Falu, with On The Scene Recovery, said he has heard nearly every insult and excuse.

"No good guys. It's the holidays. Thanksgiving is coming, Christmas. Y'all got no remorse. Go get a real job. This is a city job. Read the signs," Falu said.

Drivers who wake up to find their cars had been towed should look for it in one of two city pounds: at 10301 South Doty Avenue on Chicago's South Side or at 701 North Sacramento Avenue in Chicago's East Garfield Park neighborhood.

The towing fee $170, plus a $60 ticket and a $20 storage fee, adding up to $250.

"The cost was $170. So I mean, like I said, it just comes from being an irresponsible adult. I'm not trying to give nobody no slack or nothing. I know I messed up," one driver said.

For the tow companies, the ban means big money. Some are getting $48 a tow from the city.

To reiterate, Chicago's winter overnight parking ban will be enforced from 3-3 a.m daily from Dec. 1 to April 1, or any time the snow on the ground measures more than 2 inches. Don't forget to move your car!