Parking Meter Changes Take Effect Today In 12 Wards

By Amy Cavanaugh in News on Jun 16, 2013 3:00PM

Starting today, a dozen wards south of the Eisenhower Expressway will have free Sunday parking at pay boxes.

Chicago Parking Meters LLC is starting by offering free parking on Sundays outside the central business district. The first wards to see the change are the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 11th, 12th, 14th, 15th, 20th, 22nd, 23rd and 25th. The other wards will have free Sunday parking by July 1, although "up to 16 aldermen plan to ask for quick restoration of paid Sunday parking in business districts where parking turnover makes room for more customers."

The move to free Sunday parking came at the cost of having to pay to park longer in the evenings during the week. The changes are part of Mayor Emanuel's settlement with the parking meter company to reduce overall city bills. Starting tomorrow, some of the parking spaces that used to be free to park in starting at 9 p.m. will now require payment until 10 p.m.

Since it'll take time to get all the changes made, make sure to check signs whenever you're parking with a meter, so you're not paying when you don't have to.