Revenue from parking fines leaps

Craig Dellimore, Political Editor reporting
CHICAGO (WBBM) -- Problems with the privatization of Chicago's parking meters may have prompted some people to avoid the metered spaces, but that doesn't appear to have hurt revenues from parking fines, WBBM has learned.

Figures obtained by Newsradio 780 from Chicago's Department of Revenue following a Freedom of Information Act request, show the City made more money from parking fines in 2009 than it did in 2008. Just over $12.5 million was collected in 2008. Just over $14 million during 2009.

Revenue officials say there were several reasons, not the least of which is that parking fines went up during 2008.

There also was an amnesty program, prompting many scofflaws to pay up, early last year. Another factor: Parking meters rates are now in effect 365 days a year and, in the Loop, 24 hours a day. That means there are more hours when parking enforcement agents could be writing tickets.

The city figures show collection rate for parking meter violations remained flat from 2008 to 2009 at 62 percent.