Show respect for disabled parking

I could not agree more with observations about the abuse of handicapped parking. My wife is handicapped and, where we do not need a ramp, she does require a wheelchair.

I find myself waffling back and forth about approaching a driver, not knowing exactly what their handicap might be. Perhaps this is why I have yet to see any police officer ticketing or challenging someone for misuse of a parking space.

Similarly, my wife regularly reports that as often as not, non-handicapped people use the only handicapped-designated stall in the bathroom and she is forced to wait.

Just because a handicapped area is not in use, does not mean it is fair game for anyone. In this day where society accepts any actions as acceptable unless you get caught, perhaps sharing the exact legal qualification involved in proper use of a parking placard is in order:

"PERSON WITH DISABILITIES / Permanent Disability Parking Placard - statutory provision (625 ILCS 5/1-159.1) The parking placard is not transferable, and the authorized holder of the placard must be present and must enter or exit the vehicle at the time the parking privileges are being used. Unauthorized use of a parking placard may result in a $500 fine, driver's license suspension and/or revocation of the placard."

Art Elliott

Vernon Hills