HR0813 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0813 LRB098 19969 MST 55194 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, In an effort to crack down on fraud, the General Assembly passed into law regulations restricting which citizens with disabilities may park at meters for free; and

WHEREAS, Some citizens with disabilities that no longer qualify for free parking are having difficulty physically using the meters; many with disabilities do not move very quickly and have a harder time making it back to their vehicles in time to move their car or feed the meter; and

WHEREAS, There are very few spots reserved specifically for disabled drivers in many areas of the State, especially in downtown Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Many citizens with disabilities are on fixed incomes and have difficulties being able to pay for parking, especially with the expensive parking rates in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, The Secretary of State's office currently has a program for reduced license plate fees for citizens with disabilities and the Regional Transit Authority currently has a program that allows passengers with disabilities to ride for free; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the Secretary of State's office to review the current policies regarding meter parking for those with disabilities, and we encourage them to work with qualified medical professionals, advocates, and citizens with disabilities to consider various options to make meter parking more affordable and accessible for a greater number of citizens with disabilities, including possibly re-instating free parking or reduced parking for the disabled; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Secretary of State Jesse White.