Wheeling OKs fee hike for Metra lot

For the first time in more than 10 years, Wheeling will increase fees at the village's Metra parking lot.

The village has been losing money on the lot. For example, this year the village will collect about $32,650 from parking fees, but will spend $51,462 to maintain it, according to a village memo.

Wheeling currently charges $1.50 per day, or $30 per month, to park in the lot. Starting April 1, the fee will increase to $1.75 per day, or $35 per month.

The Wheeling village board unanimously approved the change on Monday. The last time the board increased the fee was in 1996.

"While a 25 cent increase will not completely cover our costs, it will narrow the gap by approximately $5,400 per year and reduce the amount needed to currently subsidize the lots," Village Manager Jon Sfondilis said in a village memo.

Buffalo Grove recently approved the same fee increase for their lot, Sfondilis said.

Other municipalities charge similar daily parking rates: Schaumburg charges $1.25; Palatine charges $2 and Mount Prospect, Arlington Heights and Des Plaines all charge $1.50.

Metra also approved Wheeling's increase, Sfondilis said.