Chicago's winter overnight parking ban on main roads begins Sunday

CHICAGO (WLS) -- If you park your car on the street in Chicago, this is your reminder that the overnight winter parking ban starts Sunday across 107 miles of arterial roadways.

The ban applies regardless of snow from 3 to 7 a.m. Sunday through April 1, the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation said in a news release Tuesday.

Motorists are encouraged to be mindful of the signage posted along 107 miles of main roads.

"Snow can accumulate quickly during winter storms, and crews need immediate access to the city's most vital roads to ensure that they are safe for motorists," Chicago Streets and Sanitation Commissioner John Tully said. "Residents can help us keep the roads clear by checking the permanently posted street signs and following the posted restrictions."

During a snow program, the department's priority is to clear the city's main routes and Lake Shore Drive. Crews from DSS have posted flyers on cars parked on streets the parking ban affects as an additional reminder before restrictions begin, the department said.

Those who ignore the signs face a minimum of a $150 towing fee in addition to a $60 ticket and initial $20 daily storage fee. Vehicles in violation of the ban will be towed to Pounds 2, located at 10301 S. Doty Ave., or 6, at 701 N. Sacramento Ave.

A separate snow-related parking ban exists for another 500 miles of main streets and can be activated after there are at least 2 inches of snow on the street, no matter the time of day or the calendar date, the department said.

While the 2-inch snow ban is not activated often, motorists who are parked there when it snows could receive a ticket or find that their vehicle has been relocated to ease snow clearing.

Both of these parking bans were implemented on designated arterial streets to prevent recurrences of problems that happened in 1967 and 1979 when Chicago came to a traffic standstill due to major snowstorms, according to the department.

More information and a map of streets the ban affects are available at chicago.gov/dss.