Illinois is cracking down on drivers abusing disabled parking permits. Some drivers are using valid permits, but they do not belong to the user. If caught, a driver could face a $2,500 fine and a one-year suspended license under a proposed law change. The driver then has to go through the process of getting his or her license reinstated.

The Secretary of State said that enforcing the new penalty recommendations may be a challenge, but the new rules would be put into place to make sure people who are really disabled have a place to park. The Secretary of State also stated that he would take it on himself to call in a strike force to enforce the new penalties if people are caught using a stolen disabled parking permit or a disabled parking permit that belonged to a deceased person.

The Secretary of State continued by saying that the problem has become very serious in Illinois, because the practice is so common and widespread. The state is also considering adding new technology to try to enforce the rules, including a device that reads license plates and permits to make sure the permit belongs to the vehicle in which it is found.

Disabled drivers are in favor of the new rules and crackdown. One woman stated that it is so difficult to find an empty disabled parking place that she does not go out. She stated that she has to think twice about going anywhere. The woman has been wheelchair-bound after a 1977 accident left her with a broken neck.

It may not seem like a big deal for some drivers to use a disabled permit that may not belong to them because it is still a valid permit. However, even though so many people do it, it is still illegal. The consequences are very real as well. In the increased enforcement of this, many drivers may be fined or have their licenses suspended. However, there may be ways to have fines or charges dismissed with legal assistance.

Source: Daily Register, "Illegally parking in disabled spot could mean fine," Jan 21, 2012