Parking Enforcement
Quick Links
Request Parking Enforcement
Parking restrictions are enforced by the Department of Finance and the Chicago Police Department. The Police Department responds to violations in progress like blocking an alley or a street. Call 9-1-1 to report a violation in progress. The Department of Finance issue regular parking citations. They ticket for issues including street sweeping, blocking a crosswalk or fire hydrant, and parking a commercial vehicle on a residential street. You can call 3-1-1 to request a ticket agent be sent to issue a citation.
If there is an ongoing issue with illegal parking on your block, you can contact our office at info@aldermanmartin.com. We will request targeted enforcement through the Department of Finance.
Appeal Parking Tickets
You have seven days from the date of issuance to contest a parking ticket. When you submit your appeal, compile any evidence you wish to be considered, including, but not limited to, police reports, registration documents, receipts, and pictures.
Appeals are considered by an Administrative Hearings body. If you are dissatisfied with the Administrative Law Officer's decision, you can appeal to a judge under Administrative Review in the Circuit Court of Cook County located at the Daley Center, 50 W. Washington St., Room 602. This option must be exercised within 35 days of the Administrative Law Officer's decision.
Towing and Booting
If you believe your vehicle has been towed or relocated, call 311 or use the city’s vehicle tracker to identify where it was taken. The city only tows vehicles if a request is made in writing by a city department. Vehicles may be towed from private property by other companies. The city has a much more limited role in regulating tows from private property.
The owner of an impounded vehicle is entitled to a hearing to contest the validity of the tow and any towing or storage fees. You can request a hearing when you recover your vehicle. Please note that you must attend the hearing to contest the tow.