Chicago tows over 230 vehicles on 1st night of parking ban

CHICAGO (AP) - The City of Chicago towed over 230 vehicles on the first day of the overnight winter parking ban.

On Dec. 1 every year, from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. until April 1, cars are not allowed to park along 107 miles (172.20 kilometers) of main streets throughout the city. The parking ban is enforced regardless of snow.

The city towed 16 less cars than last year at this time, according to officials.

Violators of the parking ban will be towed and face a minimum $150 towing fee, a $60 ticket and a storage fee of $25 per day.

'œToday rent's due, December 1st,'ť said Jabari Phillips, who moved to the city in April. 'œTerrible time, and is Christmas right around the corner.'ť

With another 500 miles (804.67 kilometers) of main roadways that have parking bans when there's at least two inches of snow on the ground, the Department of Streets and Sanitation encourages people to read signs carefully.