Outreach

              Department of
Senior & Community Services
Jesse White
Secretary of State
Winter 2004
Secretary of State Police, Joliet Police
crack down on parking placard abuse
Secretary of State Police and the
Joliet Police Department recently
conducted stings at the Chicagoland
Motor Speedway in Joliet to crack
down on the abuse of parking
placards and disability license plates.
More than 130 tickets were issued
and all placards being used illegally
were confiscated.
After receiving numerous complaints
about placard abuse at the Speedway,
the Joliet Police Department and
racetrack officials worked with the
Secretary of State Police to set a plan
of action. A message ran in the
Speedway’s newsletter and on the
radio reminding race fans that law
enforcement officials would be
checking parking placards and plates
to ensure that the authorized holders
were present.
On the day of the race, officers
checked placard and plate numbers,
issued tickets to unauthorized users
and confiscated illegally used
placards. Placard owners had their
parking privileges suspended for 30
days until their court date. If found
guilty, the placard holder was
required to pay a $100 fine plus court
costs. Once the fine is paid, he or she
can petition the Secretary of State to
have the placard returned. A record
of the conviction was entered in their
file, and if abuse continues, their
placard privileges will be further
suspended or revoked.
Motorists are reminded that parking
placards are not transferable and the
authorized holder must be present
when parking in reserved spaces for
persons with disabilities. By allowing
others to use their placards when
they are not present, placard holders
risk having their parking privileges
suspended or revoked.
For more information, please contact
the Persons with Disabilities
Placards/Plates Unit, 217-782-2709, or
visit www.cyberdriveillinois.com.
AARP recognizes
Secretary White
Donna Ginther,
Governmental
Relations director for
the Illinois AARP,
presents Secretary of
State Jesse White its
“Friend of the Frail
Elderly” award for his
efforts on senior
issues. The award was
presented Nov. 5
during AARP’s Fall
Lobby Day at the
Illinois State Capitol.
“Placard abuse is a matter I take very seriously,” said Secretary of State Jesse White. “My office has taken an active role
in reducing the abuse of this vital program for persons with disabilities, and we will continue to work with law
enforcement agencies and community groups across the state to address this issue.”
INSIDE
Safe driving tips
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Illinois citizens
Protecting your
investments
Stay warm safely