Mount Prospect begins new commuter parking payment program

Beginning March 1, the village of Mount Prospect will implement “Easy Park” — a commuter parking program for Metra commuters. Rather than paying at the parking machine each day, commuters will now have the option of purchasing a parking permit (monthly or quarterly) and parking in a dedicated section of the lot.

The cost of the permit will be $30 monthly, and commuters can purchase as few as one and as many as 12 months at a time.

Permits go on sale Wednesday, Jan. 15, and will be available during normal business hours at the Finance Department (village hall, 50 S. Emerson Street, 1st floor) and the Public Works Department (1700 W. Central Road). Permits are also available by mail. Starting Jan. 15, application forms can be found on the village website: www.mountprospect.org/easypark.

Public Works Deputy Director Jason Leib said, “We wanted commuters to have an easy option to pay for parking and reduce the long lines at the automated pay machines. This is just one way to help offer commuters more flexibility and save time and stress.”

Commuters can start using the permits on March 1. Commuters are not required to purchase a permit. They can continue to pay daily by using the automated pay machines.

Easy Park does not offer assigned parking or guarantee a parking space. The commuter lots will remain first come, first park; however, specific areas of the lots have been designated permit parking areas only. A limited number of permits will be sold to ensure that the permit areas are filled and enough parking remains for daily fee parkers.

Failure to display a permit or pay for a space at the automated pay machine will result in a parking ticket. Those who forget their permits will need to pay for daily fee parking by using the automated pay machines.

Applications, frequently asked questions and additional information are available on the village's website at www.mountprospect.org/easypark.