Park Ridge parking for pickup trucks (Chicago, Skokie: college, exemptions, living)

[david7697]

Hello, this is my first post. I did a search before creating this thread and found no similar threads.

I'm a college student who is living with a relative. I drive a B-plated pickup truck. Unfortunately, all parking spaces in the driveway are occupied and I recently found out that B-plated vehicles cannot park on any city streets in Park Ridge.

I did some reasearch and found a statement on the Park Ridge official website indicating to call the zoning department to inquire about parking exemptions and corner lots. I called several times until someone finally returned my call more than three days later saying that there was nothing they could do to help me.

Can anyone suggest anything else? Surely there must be somewhere I can park my vehicle without getting a hefty parking ticket violation fine, right? I'm lost as to what I should do. Please help.

[chet everett]

If you're a student why do you have a truck with a "B" plate? Spend a little money on FOP plates, assuming the truck is under 4 tons -- Illinois Fraternal Order of Police License Plates You can park anywhere with those...

[david7697]

Originally Posted by chet everett

If you're a student why do you have a truck with a "B" plate? Spend a little money on FOP plates, assuming the truck is under 4 tons -- Illinois Fraternal Order of Police License Plates You can park anywhere with those...

Hello. Thank you for your response!

That sounds interesting. I don't see anywhere on that page that FOP plated vehicles can park anywhere. Can you provide me with a source? What are the requirements in order to obtain one of these plates? Also, I just renewed my registration a few weeks ago. If I can get these plates, will I have to pay another $100+ renewal fee or the $200+ first issuance fee or possibly only the difference between the standard plate renewal fee and the fee for the FOP plates?

Thanks for any info.
(p.s. Yes, my truck is under 4 tons)

[chet everett]

I was mostly joking about the "park anywhere" -- the idea is the cops writing tickets will see the FOP plates and "treat you like a brother"...

But the serious part, is when get vanity plates you do avoid the "B" plate stigma and THAT should be a way around the prohibitions if your truck is not some beast used for hauling around junk ...

[wjj]

Originally Posted by david7697

Hello, this is my first post. I did a search before creating this thread and found no similar threads.

I'm a college student who is living with a relative. I drive a B-plated pickup truck. Unfortunately, all parking spaces in the driveway are occupied and I recently found out that B-plated vehicles cannot park on any city streets in Park Ridge.

I did some reasearch and found a statement on the Park Ridge official website indicating to call the zoning department to inquire about parking exemptions and corner lots. I called several times until someone finally returned my call more than three days later saying that there was nothing they could do to help me.

Can anyone suggest anything else? Surely there must be somewhere I can park my vehicle without getting a hefty parking ticket violation fine, right? I'm lost as to what I should do. Please help.

I don't know about Park Ridge, but many suburbs prohibit overnight street parking of any vehicle. Be sure you understand exactly what is allowed and what is not.

[david7697]

Originally Posted by chet everett

I was mostly joking about the "park anywhere" -- the idea is the cops writing tickets will see the FOP plates and "treat you like a brother"...

But the serious part, is when get vanity plates you do avoid the "B" plate stigma and THAT should be a way around the prohibitions if your truck is not some beast used for hauling around junk ...

Thanks. I'll definitely look into it.

Any other suggestions anyone?

[linicx]

Chicago hates pickup trucks- especially those w/o the obligatory tonneau cover. The answer is to park it, and use a zip car between where you stay and where you park.

You might get lucky and be able to find a place to park in Skokie.