This week’s historic blizzard is giving Chicago motorists and businesses an unexpected boon: free parking.

José Santiago, executive director of Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications, said Friday morning that the city had suspended fee enforcement at public parking meters. Santiago did not specify when, or under what conditions, the city would allow contractors to resume enforcement.

The city’s Department of Revenue hires contractors for most of the enforcement.

The rest is handled by Chicago Parking Meters, LLC, a private company. A spokeswoman said the firm would follow the city’s lead on when parking enforcement resumes.