Fewer cars towed on first night of Chicago’s winter parking ban
It’s a panic-inducing scenario: Nearly 200 people awoke Wednesday to find their vehicles gone, towed away under Chicago’s winter parking ban, which had gone into effect overnight.
Still, the number represented a decrease from years past — 40 fewer people had to unexpectedly track down their vehicles than on the first day of the five-monthlong mandate in 2020, according to the Department of Streets and Sanitation.
The city’s winter overnight parking ban went into effect early Wednesday. Between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m., cars cannot be parked on 107 miles of Chicago’s main streets.
Within the five-hour stretch on the first night of the ban, a total of 192 cars were towed, a decrease from the previous two years, said Mimi Simon, a spokeswoman for the city.
In 2020, 232 cars were towed on the first night, and 248 were towed in 2019.
The city attributes the decrease to increased messaging to Chicagoans across multiple platforms, including a winter weather preparedness news conference, media advisories, social media posts and Notify Chicago alersts. As a result, the city was able to reduce the number of vehicles towed by 17% compared with 2020 and 22% compared with 2019.
The winter parking ban will be in effect regardless of whether there is inclement weather. When 2 or more inches of snow is on the ground, another 500 streets prohibit parking.
If a car is in violation, it will be transported to the auto pound.
Vehicles that weigh less than 8,000 pounds will cost $150, and vehicles with a gross weight of more than 8,000 pounds will be $250, officials said.
If not claimed by a registered owner in less than 21 days, the vehicle will be at risk of being disposed of or auctioned.
Unclaimed vehicles will be impounded at Auto
Pound No. 2, at the intersection of 103rd and Doty Avenue, and Auto Pound No. 6, at 701 N. Sacramento Ave. Both locations are open 24 hours, every day.
To find out if a car was towed, call 311 or visit the City’s Department of Streets and Sanitation Bureau of Traffic Services website.
The ban will be lifted on April 1.
The Streets and Sanitation Department’s website has additional information including a full list of auto pound locations.