Intro - 3-ir-20t5
Us
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Veterans of the United States Armed Forces have served our Country with distinction and courage. It is incumbent upon government to assist these loyal Americans as they return from their tours of duty by making the transition back to civilian life as easy as possible; and
WHEREAS, The wounds often endured by the members of our Armed Forces demonstrate clearly the sacrifice inherent in military service. Many of our returning veterans bear the scars of combat, both on their bodies and in the form of post-traumatic stress disorder; and
WHEREAS, Prior to January of 2014, if an individual was eligible for a disabled parking placard or plate, he or she also received a waiver of the parking fee in metered zones in conjunction with the display of that placard or plate; and
WHEREAS, In 2013, the General Assembly passed legislation, effective January of 2014, that drastically changed the law regarding free parking for those with disability placards or plates. The law, intended to thwart those who would cheat the system, limits the availability of free metered parking to people whose physical limitations prevent ready access to payboxes; and
WHEREAS, While the new law is commendable in addressing instances in which unscrupulous people take unfair advantage of the parking rules, nonetheless it has wrought a practical and financial inconvenience on our City's disabled veterans, who need and merit our help and support; and
WHEREAS, Restoring free metered parking to our veterans with service-related disabilities, including post-traumatic stress disorder, is a small step we can take to show our gratitude and respect for their valiant service and acknowledge their daily hardships; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members ofthe City Council ofthe City of Chicago, assembled this eighteenth day of March, 2015, do hereby urge the Illinois General Assembly to pass legislation restoring a metered parking fee waiver for our veterans with a service-related disability; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the City Council, through its Committee on Human Relations, hold one or more hearings to discuss this important issue facing our veterans; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the City Clerk is directed to provide suitable copies of this resolution to the Governor of the State oflllinois, the President of the Illinois Senate, the Minority Leader of the Illinois Senate, the Speaker of the Illinois House of
Representatives, and the Minority Leader ofthe Illinois House of Representatives as a sign of our concern for this important issue.
fames Balcer Alderman, 11th Ward