Is it true that you need a permit to park on the street in Chicago?

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There is lots of ramps and meter parking, also independently run lots. Last time there I parked in the ramp at the Chicago Auto Show (McCormick Place), then went to the Weber Grill resturaunt (I can NEVER spell that correctly), parked right on Ontario St for about $2 for maybe 2 hrs or a little less, but I think someone left a bunch of time on that meter when we parked too. Weird thing was is that I didn't notice the "No parking 4pm-6pm" sign. We parked there from about 3:45pm to about 5 or 530pm, why weren't we ticketed or towed? Maybe because we were there before 4pm?? Maybe a Chicagoan can give some insight. "Just damn lucky" is my theory. So watch the signs. I think the one time I had to go to court I parked about4 blocks from the Daley Center, I was there about 8am, left later that morning, it was 10 or 20 bucks, just let them know how long you'll be there so they don't have to keep moving your car, they'll park it appropriately according to when you leaving, and be sure to tip them a couple bucks before you leave the lot and when you come back, especially if you have a nice car. My boss is pretty tight and even HE tipped them and he has a Suburban. I know I paid $10 to park on Dearborn near the House of Blues for just 1 or 2 hours (had a beer afterwards at Harry Carays just to say I was in there), there again that was a independent surface lot, not a city ramp, I thing the ramps cost more, not sure. Street parking is cheapest (coins), but I think 2 hr limit.

Gilly

PS In answer to your question, no you don't need a permit, I believe there are lots of places that are by permit only (privately owned ramps for residents and also working people who rent a spot convenient to where they work), but there is ample public parking availble also, nothing to really worry about there, but make sure you pay attention to the various signs stating prices so you know what you're getting in to. The street parking I mentioned, i think we just were there at an opportune time, you can luck out and find street parking, it's all in the timing, if you want to walk around for more than a few hours you'll want to find something else.

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Depending on the neighborhoods you're trying to visit, you may have some serious issues parking. Just look at the signs around you. The tow trucks come quick and often. They will rape for for every last dollar in your pocket to get your car back. If you're only staying downtown, stay at a place like the Palmer House Hilton where they have a huge parking garage that you get a discounted rate on if you stay there. I would recommend walking or taking a cab to most places if they're within 5 miles. Parking is big money most places you would want to sight-see at.

Where are you coming from and where are you going? How long are you planning on staying? If on the weekends, try Metra (commuter train). These are in the suburbs and go into the city. Parking is normally $1 at on of their lots and you can get an all weekend Metra pass for $5. Otherwise you have to find a lot, which is going to cost an arm and a leg, or park on a metered street which is a 2hr limit. Unless you come on a meter holiday. I hate parking in the city. Everytime I go, I either park at someone's place, or take the train in.

I would love to take the train into town,but I need to deliever some of my daughters "things" that are stored in my basement. See lives in the Wrighlyville section and I need to park to unload and to assemble some furiture.

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Thank you, Jay
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www.thecornerstonefamily.org/

I don't know.. i've never had any problems finding either free parking or real cheap.. just keep your eyes open...

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Dude, free or cheap parking is almost non-existent in downtown Chicago.

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Jay
The "locals" have the best info. I'd ask your daughter, to start with, or if for some reason you think you might not get the best info, maybe try the building manager where she is living if they have something you can use or that they recommend.
Gilly

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Parking in Wrigley is going to be very difficult. Most of the street parking there is reserved for residents. No sticker=pirates putting the hook to your car. There are some pay lots up and around Clark St, but many of these are seasonal (GO CUBBIES!!).If the Cubs are playing, you are going to be hurting to park. Expect to pay around $25 to park anywhere in Wrigleyville during a game. It can and does go up from there, depending on who's playing. Traffic will also be a nightmare, as these are all small residential streets and the infrastructure was in no way intended to handle the amount of people that will undoubtedly be there. Plan around games, and find a good place through your daughter to park. It is not uncommon at all to see car's double parked with the flashers on outside of a place with some one guarding the car from the bloodstirsty scourges of the backstreets looking to run off with your car and your wallet (have I mentioned I am not fond of the tow truck drivers-especially around Wrigley).

Parking in Chicago sucks anywhere you'd like to leave your car unattended. In fact, I was pursued legally for all the tickets I racked up living in Lincoln Park 8 years later to the tune of $880, and my brother just recieved a letter from collection agency/law firm that collects these tickets for Chicago seeking to collect on 2 tickets from 1997. He lives in LA now. I'll post a link to the firm tomorrow on this post if anyone wants to see how these guys operate.

Some neighborhoods require that you acquire a numbered permit sticker for your hood. The hours you need the permit are like, from 7 PM to 7 AM, if I remember right. They ticket relentlessly, they also boot agressively. You can go to the alderman's office and get some temporary paper passes that adhere to the windshield. each pass is good for one day, and you write on it what day you will be parked. I started using one pass and changing it daily with eraseable ink. The thing of it is, you need a City sticker first-used to be 50 bucks, probably more now. And then, to get a pass, you can't have any tickets outstanding on the car. Try that when you're on a college or post college budget in Chicago.

Anyway, visitors don't need a city sticker but you have to have the passes. for one period, I used to work overnights at one job and afternoons at another. I would come home from working overnight and drive right behind the "boot patrol" while they booted cars, looking for a spot. I evaded them so many times only because of my schedule. Also, if you don't pay the tickets after one month, they double the fine. The fines used to be $25, probably higher now. Its such a racket. I love Chicago, but you know, I also hate the freakin' place.

When I lived there, people used to put old furniture or 2 x 4's where they liked to park so no one else would take the spot. Then if you move the stuff, you know your car's gonna get keyed, or worse.

Oh yeah, ask the building manager? Ha! Building manager? What, you'z guyz tink we got some manager you can talk to? Where you think you're going? Denver?

Thanks to everyone for there input. Maybe I'll take her junk out to her in a whellbarrel.LOL

__________________
Thank you, Jay
83MB 300D 241K "The silver coffin"
10 Prius lll 1K
95 MB E300D 120K Mable
02 Saab 9-5 Areo 131K
Cannondale SR500
www.thecornerstonefamily.org/

I would go to a park+ride (like in Oak Park) and take the L. Fun, safe (in a crowd) and much less stress.

Because of the stress factors involved, I get MUCH more bang for the buck watching minor league baseball here in KY. And they have $2.00 draft night!!!! If the did that in Chicago they would have to bring out the National Guard, I kid you not.

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If they had $2.00 draft night at Wrigley, they'd have to call out the national guard just for me...