CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- As more people are returning to the mall this Black Friday, the Illinois secretary of state is reminding holiday shoppers its officers will be out there too.
Secretary of state police will be at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg on Black Friday as well as malls in Springfield and the Metro East. They’ll be looking for drivers who are illegally parking in handicapped spots for the 14th year.
Drivers who are caught misusing a disability placard could have their licenses suspended for six months and pay a $600 fine. Subsequent offenses bring higher penalties. The fine for parking in an accessible spot without a placard is $350 while using a dead person’s or fake placard carries fines of up to $2,500.
Secretary of state police wrote 19 tickets on Black Friday in 2019 after checking 814 disability placards and license plates around mall parking lots.
“Our mission is not to issue tickets, but to ensure that accessible parking spaces are available to those who need them,” said White in a statement.
“Parking illegally in a space reserved for people with disabilities means a possible driver’s license suspension and a hefty fine, money which could otherwise be used on gifts. Remember, if you don’t belong there, don’t park there.”
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