Parking rates for Lake Co. offices changing

Parking in the garage at the Lake County government center in Waukegan would be free for more visitors but costlier for others under a plan before the county board.

Parking would be free for the first two hours at the complex, 18 N. County St. Only the first 30 minutes of parking are free now.

However, people who park at the complex -- home to the county board offices, courthouse, clerk's office and other governmental services -- for more than two hours would pay more than they do now.

If the county board approves the plan Tuesday, the new rates would begin March 1. Under the plan, parking for up to:

• Two hours would be free

• Three hours would cost $3

• Four hourswould cost $4

• Five hours would cost $5

• Six hours would cost $7

• Seven hours would cost $9.

Finally, parking for more than 7 hours would cost $11.

That proposal isn't much different from the current fee structure. Right now, parking for up to:

• 30 minutes is free

• One hour costs 50 cents

• Two hours costs $1

• Three hours costs $2

• Four hours costs $3

• Five hours costs $4.50

• Six hours costs $6

• Seven hours would cost $8.

Parking for more than seven hours costs $10 now.

The changes will provide free parking for 70 percent to 80 percent of the people who visit the county complex, according to county documents. Now, about 50 percent of the building's visitors park for free in the garage.

Additional parking is available at meters on the street and in a nearby city-owned garage.

Also under the plan, people would no longer be able to use credit cards to pay for parking at the county garage. Only cash will be accepted.

The machines that accept credit cards haven't been cost effective, a county spokesman said. People will be able to get cash to pay for parking at ATMs in the building.

The county board will discuss this and other issues starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the government center.