Ticket in Standing Zone

[j1234]

Chicago, IL

I received a ticket this morning while parked in a standing zone. The sign had a red band at the top with the words "15 Minute Standing Zone" and the white body of the sign said "Use Flashing Lights 8:30am-5:00pm", followed at the bottom by a red band stating "Tow Zone."

I parked at 8:25, with lights, and went into the post office, only to see an officer writing a ticket 5 minutes later. He said it was no parking before 9, and wasn't very happy when I mentioned the sign said 8:30. However, nowhere does it say that you cannot stand between 5pm and 8:30am, it just says that you need flashing lights from 8:30-5:00pm. I was parked for less than 15 minutes with my lights flashing, so I think I should have been fine.

Am I interpreting this sign correctly? I don't have much time to contest in person, will I get an equal shot if I contest by mail?

[j1234]

Forgot to mention, the officer wrote the ticket for "Parking during Rush Hour" (09-64-080a) instead of "No Stand, Park Time Restricted" (09-64-080b), which I would have thought more relevant to the situation.

Any thoughts on if I can successfully contest this ticket?

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by j1234

Chicago, IL

I received a ticket this morning while parked in a standing zone. The sign had a red band at the top with the words "15 Minute Standing Zone" and the white body of the sign said "Use Flashing Lights 8:30am-5:00pm", followed at the bottom by a red band stating "Tow Zone."

I parked at 8:25, with lights, and went into the post office, only to see an officer writing a ticket 5 minutes later. He said it was no parking before 9, and wasn't very happy when I mentioned the sign said 8:30. However, nowhere does it say that you cannot stand between 5pm and 8:30am, it just says that you need flashing lights from 8:30-5:00pm. I was parked for less than 15 minutes with my lights flashing, so I think I should have been fine.

Am I interpreting this sign correctly? I don't have much time to contest in person, will I get an equal shot if I contest by mail?

**A: and what did the other tow away zone sign state?

[j1234]

There was no other tow away zone sign...the "Tow Zone" in the red band was at the very bottom of the "15 Minute Standing Zone" sign. There were no other parking signs posted, just the 2 standing zone signs to define the borders of the zone.