No Parking Signage
Throughout the City of Chicago, No Parking signs are placed in various public and private surfaces.
The issues are that the No Parking signage is a) never removed b) the materials used to affix the signage is never removed and/or c) the adhesive materials used damages the city property itself.
The City of Chicago needs to address this long standing issue to help alleviate the continued blight that this is causing the City of Chicago.
Permit Process
The City of Chicago has a Permitted process whereby if Public or Private work is being performed that requires a road closure (no parking), a permit is applied for and issued. The permit is issued by the Chicago Department of Transportation.
CDOT will provide/issue the No Parking permit, but there is no follow up as to it’s removal. Additionally, if the signs an applicative materials are not removed, it is the responsibility of Streets and Sanitation to remove such leftover materials.
Street Work Following
This road work can be followed on the ChiStreetWork website, which shows the location along with all of the permit details.
The Issue
It has been noticed that when permits are applied for, the wording states that all signs must be removed. In that, the wording in the No Parking permit states the following:
Contractor, sub-contractor or entity performing the work shall remove all temporary parking restriction signs upon completion of the work.
Additionally, it mentions nothing on the application/adhesive materials used to affix the signage, and whether or not those applicative materials should be removed. This is a pervasive and continual problem, because the permit appliers never remove the signs and/or whatever materialis used to affix the signs, remains (ie duct tape, strings, etc.)
There is no communication between the 2 City departments responsible, therefore, this is a vicious circle of an issue, so it just keeps happening.
Examples of Non Removal
Solutions
Adhesive material verbiage should be added to the Permitted Use application to deter the usage of said destructive materials. As well as specific verbiage that the sign and application material must be removed or fines would / could be imposed if not removed, or destructive materials are used.
Many of the No Parking signs utilized have Start Dates, but no End Dates. This is confusing for residents because there is no specific Date(s) to which the No Parking sign is valid. Specific To and From dates should be applied.
Fines should be imposed on any City Department, or otherwise permittable worker that violates adhesive material rules in applying signage, and/or does not remove said sign or posting material after work is done/completed and/or permit expires.
Provide a necessary 311 category for the removal of outdated No Parking signs. Currently, you have to do a Graffiti removal request, which isn’t applicable.
What Can You Do?
Contact your local Alderman and make them aware of this issue
Send a note for an additional suggestions using the Contact page