Dec. 17--FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS -- Police in Illinois are cracking down today on improper parking in spaces reserved for people with disabilities.
The Illinois Secretary of State Police Department has focused on disability parking violations since Black Friday, issuing more than 150 citations and seizing 90 placards statewide. Today's efforts include monitoring St. Clair Square.
This morning, Investigator Alan Rose added another citation and placard confiscation within minutes of arriving outside the Sears store at the mall.
He said he questioned a woman who parked by a sign using a placard issued to a man. She admitted it was her husband's, he said.
The fine for illegally using a placard or plates in Illinois is $500. Parking in a space without a placard or license can result in a fine of up to $350.
Missouri has fines of up to $300 for similar offenses.
Beth Kaufman, a spokeswoman for Illinois Secretary of State Jess White, said this is the sixth year for the enforcement effort.
"It's still an issue, and that's why it's so important to the secretary that the police are out there making sure those spots are available to those truly in need," she said.
Kaufman said that, as of Friday, 86 placards or plates had been checked in and around the mall, and three tickets had been written.
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