CHICAGO — In wake of the latest snowstorms to hit the The Chicago metropolitan area, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced the city’s latest plan to crack down on “dibs”.

Dibs — the time honored practice of shoveling a parking space and hoarding it until you first born is old enough to defend it, has recently been the subject of fierce debate among local residents. A recent poll indicated it was the number one concern among voters for the upcoming mayoral race.

Today, the Mayor announced stricter enforcement of street cleaning laws. As of today residents will no longer be allowed to save parking spaces with their vehicles.

Anyone caught saving a parking space with their own registered vehicle will be subject to $250 fine and removal at the owner’s expense.

The new rule dealt a serious blow to longtime residents who have grown accustomed to parking their cars.

The Mayor did provide a list of acceptable parking space holders that are also published on the City of Chicago website.

Acceptable Forms of Dibs Include: ​

Stolen Parking Cone

Old Ironing Board

Dirty Piece of Plywood

Statues of the Virgin Mary, Jesus, or Saint Francis of Assisi

Bowling Trophy

Used Crutches

For the Complete list Click Here.

In addition, Mayor Emanuel, reiterated to reporters, “Dibs of any kind, whether ceramic deity or loved one, will be promptly removed no later than May 1st and will become property of the city”.

The announcement was meant with mixed reviews on social media.

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