(a) The provisions of the traffic code prohibiting the standing or parking of vehicles shall apply at all times or at those times therein specified or as indicated on official signs, where required, except when it is necessary to stop a vehicle to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer, traffic control aide or official traffic-control device.
(b) The provisions of any ordinance imposing a time limit on parking shall not relieve any person from the duty to observe other and more restrictive provisions prohibiting or limiting the standing or parking of vehicles in specified places or at specified times.
(c) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of the traffic code, a motor vehicle is hereby exempt from any ordinance or regulation which imposes a time limitation for parking when the motor vehicle is:
(i) bearing state registration plates issued to a person with disabilities or a disabled veteran pursuant to Section 3-616 or Section 3-609 of the Illinois Vehicle Code;
(ii) bearing a handicapped parking decal or device issued pursuant to Section 3-616 or 11-1301.2 of the Illinois Vehicle Code; or
(iii) registered in another jurisdiction, state, district, territory or foreign country upon which is displayed a registration, special decal or device issued by such other jurisdiction designating the vehicle is operated by or for a person with disabilities.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of the traffic code, a motor vehicle bearing a handicapped parking decal or device issued pursuant to subsection (c-5) of Section 11-1301.2 of the Illinois Vehicle Code is hereby exempt from the payment of fees generated by parking in a metered space, a parking area subject to paragraph (10) of subsection (a) of Section 11-209 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, or a publicly owned parking area.
(3) The exemptions granted under this subsection (c) shall apply only when the motor vehicle is operated by the person to whom the handicapped or disabled veteran registration plate, or handicapped parking decal or device, was issued or by a qualified operator while the person with disabilities is present.
(4) The exemptions granted under this subsection (c) shall not be construed to authorize the parking of any vehicle during hours when parking is otherwise prohibited or where the vehicle constitutes a traffic hazard and must be moved at the instruction and request of a law enforcement officer to a location designated by such officer.
(d) The violations set forth in this chapter shall apply to the public way and to Sister Agency or Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority property subject to an intergovernmental agreement entered into pursuant to Section 2-32-093(b)(6).
(Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634; Amend Coun. J. 12-19-90, p. 27910; Amend Coun. J. 11-26-13, p. 67481, Art. II, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 11-26-19, p. 11514, Art. IV, § 3)