Many Chicago neighborhoods are offering free parking on Sundays, again. But, before you park, make sure that you’re in one of the included areas. Neighborhoods affected are those south of Roosevelt, west of Halsted and north of North Avenue.
The privilege, which was rescinded a few years back, when city-managed parking was outsourced to a private company, was brought back throughout neighborhoods on a rolling basis. The Chicago Parking Meter company had to physically make changes to each of the 4,400 pay boxes. Neighborhoods that first received free parking, which began on June 16th, included Ward 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 14, 15, 20, 22, 23, and 25.
“Everyone in Chicago deserves a day of rest from the awful parking meter deal, and the sooner that relief can begin the better. I am proud to have fought for and won free Sunday parking for our city’s neighborhoods,” says Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “While the deal is done, the job of holding the parking meter company accountable is never over for this administration. We will always remain vigilant and steadfast on behalf of the taxpayer.”
Not everyone is happy with the free Sunday agreement, though. To make up for the revenue lost during Sundays, the meters will now require feeding for more hours on weekdays. ❒
[Photo of Chicago meter reader © Blackline Review.]
