Hello Everyone
Charles McShan with Century 21 Universal. This is a local post that I created last November 2021 for the people in the Chicagoland area. That post dealt with wintertime conditions and how the city of Chicago imposed snow routes to keep the traffic flowing on major thoroughfares. The same rules apply every year, so this post does not need to be updated. I am just reissuing it now so people can watch where they park and keep their valuable money inside their pockets. So if you park on certain major streets for overnight parking or you park on certain streets to party at the nearby nightclubs this post is for you. December the first is the day that the Snow route bans officially go into effect in Chicago. So as the title says. You must watch where you park in Chicago during the winter months.
What Must I look out for as a driver?
There are 2 forms of snow route bans. They are red and white regulatory signs, and if you remember your driver’s education, a regulatory tells you the driver what you must do. They are your visible warning sign and are located on the green light poles. There are 2 types of snow ban route signs and only 1 type of sign forbidding parking after 2 inches of snowfall. Click the link below if you do not know what they look like.
Both snow bans cover only the main city streets and go into effect at different times. The lesser band is the snow route, which says if there are 2 inches or more of snow on that particular street, you should not park there because there is a good chance the city of Chicago will tow you. They must keep that main street clear of snow. How high are the odds that you will really get towed on these streets? The odds are 50-50. but you could receive a costly ticket. There are many 2-inch snow restriction routes throughout Chicago so get to know where they are in your local area. Call your local Alderperson if necessary.
Now let’s get to the primary snow route ban. This one says that no matter what the weather, it could be 70 degrees outside, and you cannot park your car on that particular main street from 3 am to 7 am from December 1st to April 1st. This is where the city makes its money. Most importantly, the city does not use its tow trucks to enforce this ban. They hired out subcontractors, namely flatbed tow trucks. This way, they can put 2 cars onto the flatbed and tow the third car with their winch. A Street and Sanitation vehicle works in harmony with the tow truck. The city employee writes the ticket and then authorizes the tow truck driver to take the vehicle. The more cars the tow driver can hook up, the more money in his/her pocket. They start lining up around 2:40 in the morning. If you wake up the following day and your car is not where you park on a snow ban route. Contact the city of Chicago, and they will tell you what city pound your car was towed to.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the city has experienced a loss in revenues and taxes. They are hurting for money and will try to make all the money they can from December 1st to April 31st. Many of these bans are on main streets, such as Milwaukee around North avenue, which has plenty of nightlife. People park their cars around 1:30 am. They go to their favorite clubs and party. They come out at 3:30-4;00 am and find their cars gone. The same rules apply to people coming home from work. They are tired and exhausted; they forget to look at the signs on the light poles, and the next day they find their car missing. These two groups are the ones who fall right into the revenue trap every year. and the city will take no pity on you.
What are the steps to retrieving my car from the city auto pound?
That is a good question. When you get to the city auto pound, the towing fine is $150.00 if they have not raised the fee. You will pay upfront to bond your car out of jail. If that is not enough, here comes the shocker that catches most people off guard. Your car must also have a valid city and state sticker, along with providing proof of auto insurance. The city will also check to see if you do not have that you do not owe for unpaid parking tickets or red light violations. If you owe for any of these violations or your car is not compliant with the city and state, you will have to pay and solve those problems before they release your car. Otherwise, you will not get your car back. Ouch!
The city officials at those towing yards have heard every sobbed story in the book, and you will not get your car back until you pay up. Guess what? They will charge you a daily storage fee if you do not come and get your car within 24 hours. Oh yeah! I almost forgot when they towed your car; you were written a ticket for illegally parking on that street. When they bring your car to you, you will see that bright red ticket on the windshield. That ticket cost will be $60.00, but you do not have to pay for that ticket right then and there. It has to work through the system before the summons comes to you in the mail. That will be your only bright spot on this dark day.
This happens every from December 1st all the way to April 1st. The prominent Chicago auto pound on the North and Westside is located at Chicago and Sacramento ave. They make plenty of money off the angry crying people there. If you want to get violent with the city employees there, they already got your car in jail; the police will lock you up, also. I have taken plenty of people there to retrieve their vehicles. I have seen firsthand what goes on, and it is not pretty. The line is long and moves slowly because people were not prepared for the additional costs, and there are arguments. It could take 30 to 40 minutes per customer. You will be in line outside for over an hour, so if it is cold, you should not show up in a skimpy jacket. Toilet facilities are an outside smelly porta-potty. So be forewarned that you can avoid this by watching where you park.
What are the local snow bans in the West Ridge/Rogers Park area?
In my local area, the 2-inch snowfall ban is on Devon Ave from Kedzie to Around Ridge and on Western Ave, and I do not know the boundary for Western. For the most part, the city does not enforce 2-inch snowfall bans on these streets but do not quote me on that. Now in regards to the snow route ban, you cannot park in my local area you cannot park overnight on Devon Ave. from Ridge and to Broadway. Do not park your car on that stretch of Devon from 3 am to 7 am; otherwise, your car will be towed 100% guaranteed despite the weather. The same rule applies to Clark street from Devon North to Howard street. Do not be that person calling me saying It is 50 degrees outside, no snow on the ground. They got my car. Can you take me to the pound? By the way, I got no money. What am I going to do? This winter will be rough on a lot of people. Do not make it rougher by having your car towed; you have to decide on paying rent or getting your car out of jail. Find out where the snow ban routes are in your local area before it is too late. Devon Ave, east of Clark street, is on the list, along with another money maker,79th street from the lake to Cicero, along with certain portions of Cottage Grove and Madison Ave. are on the list. I put this list here for reference points only. Check out that red and white sign on that lamp pole where you plan to park. Please click the link below to view the map.
https://abc7chicago.com/archive/8904174/
Another thing, many Chicago city stickers for your car will expire on November 31st. The department of revenue and the Chicago police will be walking at midnight with their flashlights and ticket books in hand. This is Chicago, and this is how the city works. For those living outside the city, check your local regulations regarding where you can park so you can keep your money in your pocket. Their local auto pounds will be busy too. The tow truck drivers who work with the city love this time of the year. Do not blame them. It is not personal only business. If you are not parked illegally, they cannot get you. If you read this blog post after December first, no problem; you must be on guard until April 1st. Parents, if you let your siblings drive your cars at night, make they know where they can and cannot park. The same rules apply to everyone else. Stay on the watch. On the watch for what? Watch where you park your car in Chicago during the winter months. Until the next time, continue to maintain social distance and stay safe. Pass this on to a driver you know who likes to take chances.
Charles McShan
Century 21 Universal
7300 N.Western Ave
Chicago Ill 60645
Website http://www.charlesmcshanchicagolandrealtor.com
Facebook https://Facebook.com/charlesmcshanrealtor
you will have
P.S. This is why the city of Chicago started the snow bans. If you are old enough to remember these 2 snow blizzards you will understand their view of restricted city streets and their inability to plow them.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-viz-chicago-overnight-winter-snow-parking-ban-htmlstory.html
