Information for Motorists with Disabilities
Read below to learn more about driving and parking in Chicago for motorists with disabilities.
Disabled Parking Placard and Plate Information
- Disability license plates and permanent placards may only be issued through the Secretary of State Springfield office. Please see link for additional information.
- For Persons with Disabilities License Plates fees and applications, visit this page.
- To renew Persons with Disabilities license plates online, visit this page.
- The State of Illinois Benefit Access Program provides a license plate fee discount for persons with disabilities. Visit this link to apply online.
Parking Meters
- If you have yellow and gray placard, you will be exempt from paying any meter in the State of Illinois.
- If you have a blue and white placard, you now must pay the meter but you can still park in any designated disabled parking space
- The State of Illinois honors disabled parking placards from most states and foreign countries. However, as of January 2014, out of state placards will no longer allow a motorist to receive a meter exemption in Illinois.
- You cannot park in a space during a time when parking is prohibited (i.e. “No Parking, 2 p.m.-4 p.m.”).
Illegal use of Placards
Residential Disabled Parking
- People with disabilities who meet the qualifications can now apply for a Residential Parking Permit. This permit ensures that residents of densely populated areas have access to parking near their residence. To find out more, visit Residential Disabled Parking Signs Information.
Residential Parking Appeal Process
MOPD oversees the appeal process of the disabled residential parking program. If you apply for a disabled residential parking sign and are denied by the Department of Finance, you can follow this process to appeal the decision. These instructions will also be included in the denial letter from the Department of Finance mailed to your address.
- Appeal requests must be made in writing and include reasons to support a request for review. Reasons must address the accessibility of the location.
- Appeals may be directed to The Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities at:
Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities
Disabled Parking Signs Appeal
City Hall, Room 104
121 N. LaSalle St.
Chicago, IL 60602
MOPD_parkingappeals@cityofchicago.org
A decision regarding the appeal will be made within thirty (30) days of the request received by MOPD. Applicants will be notified by mail of the final decision.
For more information on the Residential Parking Appeal process, please visit our residential disabled parking signs information page or call 312.747.0114. For more information on how to appeal the decision made by the Department of Finance, please call The Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities at 312.744.7051 or reach out to us by completing the Contact Us form on our website.