Illinois targets shoppers abusing accessible parking spots

Illinois targets shoppers abusing accessible parking spots
Getty/Don Klumpp
Illinois targets shoppers abusing accessible parking spots
Getty/Don Klumpp

Illinois targets shoppers abusing accessible parking spots

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Searching and circling for a parking spot this holiday season? If you’re among the legions of drivers and shoppers desparate to find a place to park, beware:  Illinois is cracking down on people who illegally park in accessible parking spaces.

Secretary of State Police were out on Friday giving tickets to holiday shoppers who shouldn’t be parking in spaces reserved for those with disabilities.

The police were combing the parking lots across the state. Locally, officers were at Woodfield, Oak Brook and Orland Park malls.

“Primarily this is part of our annual enforcement detail that we conduct especially around the holiday season to get the message across to the public that spaces are reserved for persons with disabilities,” said Bill Bodgan, disability liaison for the Illinois Secretary of State.  “They should be left open to those that truly need them.”

But Bogdan says abuse escalates during the holiday season.

The fine for parking without an accessible placard or disability license can be up to $350.