Despite the fact that the Chicago Board of Education closed 50 schools this year, some drivers who are parking outside of at least one shuttered school are getting parking tickets.

According to DNA Info, motorists parking outside of Lafayette Elementary in the 2700 block of West Augusta Blvd. have been getting ticketed for “no parking during school hours” even though no children are inside studying their reading, writing and ‘rithmatic.

Residents are, understandably, upset.

“The sign says during school hours, but the school is closed. … That’s why we left the car there” resident Anadely Rios told DNA Info. “It’s unfair. They’re giving tickets like crazy. … They just want to give people the boot.”

Patricia Jackowiak, director of the city’s Department of Administrative Hearings, believes drivers who fight a ticket like this would prevail if they fight it.

“Absolutely!” Jackowiak told The Expired Meter when asked if someone who received a parking ticket under these circumstances could use the defense that the school was closed. “Just go to the CPS website and print out a list of closed schools just to show there is no longer a school there. Bring that in for an in-person hearing or they can contest by mail. That is absolutely a defense they can raise.”

Jackowiak explained that the signs only apply when the school is in session. With the school closed, there is nothing to prohibit legally parking on that street

But wrongfully ticketed drivers may not even have to contest their tickets.

After DNA Info brought the problem to the attention of the Chicago Department of Finance, a spokesperson says anyone who was wrongfully ticketed outside a closed school should contact the city and the ticket will be non suited.

“Anyone who has received a ticket for ‘no parking during school hours’ should call (312) 744-PARK as soon as possible. We will withdraw the ticket for that infraction. This is for any instances at a closed school this week. The tickets will be withdrawn and the motorist will not need to contest it. We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused.”

Here’s the full story at DNA Info Chicago, “Tickets for Parking Near Closed Schools ‘A Slap in the Face,’ Residents Say.”

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