(a) The Soldier Field area parking permit program (for purposes of this section, "Program") is hereby established within the area surrounding Soldier Field as set out in subsection (b) in order to regulate parking in that area in light of the special nature of the parking problems caused by the significant number of people who drive to games and events at Soldier Field.
(b) The Program area (for purposes of this section, "Program Area") shall include all blocks located in the following bounded area: the area bounded by the north side of Roosevelt Road to the north, the west side of Clark Street to the west, the south side of Cermak to the south, and Lake Michigan to the east. The following streets are not part of the Program Area:
(1) The east side of South State Street from 21st Street to Cermak Road;
(2) Any street within the area bounded by West Roosevelt Road to the north, South Clark Street to the west, South State Street to the east, and the railroad tracks between West 15th Street and West 16th Street to the south, including, but not limited to, South Dearborn Street, South Federal Street, South Plymouth Court, 13th, 14th, and 15th Streets within this area. Both sides of the boundary streets of this area, namely West Roosevelt Road, South Clark Street, and South State Street, remain in the Program Area.
(c) The operation of the Program shall be limited to the time period beginning two hours before and ending one hour after when games are played or events take place at Soldier Field.
(d) Upon the posting of appropriate signs within the Program Area, that area shall be deemed, during the days and times that the Program is in effect, an officially designated and marked "tow zone" for purposes of Section 9-92-030(f) of the Code. Any vehicle parked within the Program Area during the days and times that the Program is in effect, and which does not bear an appropriate residential zone parking permit or a Program Area parking permit issued in accordance with subsection (e) of this section shall be subject to an immediate tow. Vehicles must also obey the requirements of residential parking permit and parking meter zones at all times. It shall be unlawful to park any unauthorized vehicle in violation of signs erected or maintained pursuant to this section.
(e) The Comptroller shall administer the distribution of Program Area parking permits, without charge, to residents and businesses located within the Program Area. Program Area parking permits are not transferable and each such permit shall only be valid when affixed to the vehicle to which it was assigned. The Comptroller shall not issue a Program Area parking permit to a person owning a vehicle eligible for immobilization pursuant to Section 9-100-120 or other applicable provision of the Code. The Comptroller shall not issue a Program Area parking permit to a vehicle unless such vehicle also displays a wheel tax license emblem. Residents within the Program Area shall not display visitor permits on their vehicles in lieu of obtaining a current wheel tax license emblem.
(f) Unlawful sale, use, or possession. It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly sell, offer for sale, expose for sale or acquire for the purpose of sale any Program Area parking permit. The first violation of this subsection (f) shall be punishable by a fine not less than $200.00 nor more than $500.00; the second such violation shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $500.00 nor more than $750.00 for each offense; the third such violation shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $750.00 nor more than $1,000.00 for each offense, and the fourth and any subsequent such violation shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $1,000.00 nor more than $1,500.00 for each offense.
(g) Unlawful purchase. It shall be unlawful for any person to purchase any Program Area parking permit from any person. Any person who violates this subsection (g) shall be fined not less than $200.00 nor more than $500.00 for each offense.
(Added Coun. J. 3-10-10, p. 86616, § 2; Amend Coun, J. 11-16-11, p. 13798, Art. I, § 7; Amend Coun. J. 9-6-17, p. 54938, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-8-17, p. 59344, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 3-28-18, p. 73455, § 1)