Disabled-parking space squatters will find themselves on 'naughty' list

Nov. 27—Law enforcement agencies across the state will be cracking down this holiday shopping season on people who illegally park in spots reserved for those with disabilities.

"It's very, very necessary" to have those spots available for people who truly need them, said Becky Fitzgerald, program services director for Pathway Services. "If (people with disabilities) go out for any reason, they may have a need to walk a shorter distance to get to a store or, if they're in a wheelchair, they're going to need that space" provided by a handicap parking spot.

Secretary of State Police are conducting stings at shopping malls in the state, ticketing people who illegally park in handicap parking spaces, Secretary of State Jesse White said.

The effort, now in its 14th year, began Friday at shopping centers in Springfield, Schaumburg and Fairview Heights and will spread around the state through December.

"Our mission is not to issue tickets but to ensure that accessible parking spaces are available to those who need them," White said. "Parking illegally in a space reserved for people with disabilities means a possible driver's license suspension and a hefty fine, money which could otherwise be used on gifts."

The bottom line, he said, is "if you don't belong there, don't park there."

Fitzgerald has worked in the developmental disabilities field for more than 35 years and also has a disabilities-parking placard for her personal use because of a knee problem, she said.

"There are times I wouldn't be able to go in a store" without the ability to park close to the door, she said.

She's not the only one.

Not that long ago, Fitzgerald and her husband were at County Market and saw an elderly lady parked in one of the spaces; even so, she was struggling to get into the store. Fitzgerald's husband asked the woman if she needed help and found out her struggle stemmed from an untied shoelace, Fitzgerald said, adding that the woman thanked him for his help and noted she wouldn't have made it into the store without his assistance.

"It's real important that the people who need those spaces have them," Fitzgerald said. "That might be the only time" they have to get out.

While Fitzgerald hasn't noticed much of a problem with people illegally parked in handicap spaces in Jacksonville, she supports the effort to raise awareness of the issue.

"With the higher volume of people (out doing their holiday shopping), it's just something to be cognizant of," she said. The Secretary of State effort "just brings it back into people's thinking. They may not think about it at other times. But, this time of year, you very well may have people getting out who don't get out at other times of year."

Drivers caught misusing a placard allowing them to park in a handicap spot face a six-month driver's license suspension and a $600 fine. Repeat violators face a one-year driver's license suspension and a $750 fine. Third or subsequent offenses result in a $1,000 fine and a one-year driver's license revocation.

The fine for parking in a handicap-accessible parking space without a disability placard or disability license plates can be up to $350.

The state now has 530,498 permanent placards, 34,965 meter-exempt placards, 50,721 disability plates and 6,944 disabled veteran plates registered in Illinois, according to the Secretary of State Office.

Those who see someone using a handicap parking spot without the proper permission can report the issue to the Secretary of State Office at 217-785-0309. Callers should provide placard and license plate numbers, and the location of the vehicle. People also can report abuse via the Secretary of State website at ilsos.gov, which has a complaint form available.

"Lots of people watch for (people illegally parked in handicap spots) anyway," Fitzgerald said. "Thanks to those who do."

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