A. Designation Of Parking Space For Handicapped Persons:
1. The City Manager is hereby authorized to designate parking spaces for physically handicapped persons pursuant to the following conditions:
a. The designated parking spaces shall be located where manmade barriers are less substantial than other locations in the City so that physically handicapped persons will have the most accessible parking spaces available.
b. No more than four (4) such designations shall be made on any one side of the street within one City block within a distance of three hundred (300) linear feet along any street, whichever is less.
c. The designation of parking spaces may be made in each Municipal parking lot, provided, however, that no more than two (2) such spaces, nor more than ten percent (10%) of the spaces available in any one lot, whichever is greater, may be so designated.
d. The City will, when space allows, construct handicapped parking spaces pursuant to the requirements of the standard specifications for facilities for the handicapped which is authorized under Illinois Compiled Statutes, a copy of which is on file in the Office of the City Clerk.
B. Handicapped Persons; Parking Privileges; Exemptions:
1. A motor vehicle bearing registration plates issued to a handicapped person, pursuant to the applicable sections of the Illinois Vehicle Code, or a motor vehicle registered in another jurisdiction, state, district, territory or foreign country upon which is displayed a registration plate, special decal or device issued by the other jurisdiction designating the vehicle is operated by or for a handicapped person shall be exempt from the payment of parking meter fees and exempt from any statute or ordinance imposing time limitations on parking, except limitations of one-half (1/2) hour or less on any street or highway zone, or any parking lot or parking place which is owned, leased or owned and leased by a municipality or a municipal parking utility; and shall be recognized by State and local authorities as a valid license plate or parking device and shall receive the same parking privileges as residents of this State; but such vehicle shall be subject to the laws which prohibit parking in "no stopping" and "no standing" zones in front of or near fire hydrants, driveways, public building entrances and exits, bus stops and loading areas, and is prohibited from parking where the motor vehicle constitutes a traffic hazard, whereby such motor vehicle shall be moved at the instruction and request of a law enforcement officer to a location designated by the officer. Any motor vehicle bearing registration plates or special decal or device specified in this section or applicable sections of the Illinois Vehicle Code as evidence that the vehicle is operated by or for a handicapped person or disabled veteran may park, in addition to any other lawful place, in any parking place specifically reserved for such vehicles by the posting of an official sign as provided in subsection A of this section. Parking privileges granted by this section are strictly limited to the person to whom the special registration plates, special decal or device were issued and to qualified operators acting under his express direction while the disabled person is present.
2. Such parking privileges granted by this section are also extended to motor vehicles of not for profit organizations used for the transportation of handicapped persons when such motor vehicles display the decal or device issued pursuant to the Illinois Vehicle Code.
3. No person shall use any area for the parking of any motor vehicle pursuant to this section or where an official sign controlling such area expressly prohibits parking at any time or during certain hours.
C. Special Decals For Handicapped Parking: The design, size, color and placement of a handicapped motorist decal or device shall be determined by the administrative rules of the secretary of state. The decal or device shall be the property of such handicapped individual or organization and may be used by that person or organization to designate and identify a vehicle not owned or displaying a registration plate as provided in the Illinois vehicle code to designate when the vehicle is being used to transport said handicapped person or persons, and thus is entitled to enjoy all the privileges that would be afforded a handicapped licensed vehicle. Handicapped decals or devices issued and displayed pursuant to the Illinois vehicle code or this section shall be recognized and honored.
D. Unauthorized Use Of Parking Places Reserved For Handicapped Persons:
1. It shall be unlawful to park any motor vehicle which is not bearing registration plates or decals issued to a "handicapped person" as defined by the Illinois vehicle code as evidence that the vehicle is operated by or for a handicapped person or disabled veteran, in any parking place, including any private or public off street parking facility, specifically reserved, by the posting of an official sign as designated under this section, for motor vehicles bearing such registration plates. Any motor vehicle bearing a handicapped license plate or handicapped parking decal or device containing the international symbol of access issued to handicapped persons by any local authority, state, district, territory or foreign country shall be recognized by state and local authorities as a valid plate or device and receive the same parking privileges as residents of this city.
2. Any person owning or operating any public or private off street parking facility may, after notifying the police department, remove or cause to be removed to the nearest garage or other place of safety any vehicle parked within a stall or space reserved for use by the handicapped which does not display handicapped registration plate or a special decal or device as required under this section.
3. Violation of the provisions of this section shall result in a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) nor more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00) in addition to any costs or charges connected with the removal or storage of any motor vehicle authorized under this section. (Ord. 2015-29)