Rates will change as follows:

• In most areas of the city, representing 82% of the metered parking spaces, rates will be $1.75 per hour.
• In the Central Business District outside the Loop (Area bounded by Lake Michigan to the East, North Avenue to the North, Halsted to the West, and Roosevelt Road to the South, exclusive of the Loop Area), representing approximately 16% of the metered parking spaces, rates will be $3.50 per hour.
• Inside the Loop (Area bounded by Lake Michigan to the East, Wacker Drive to the North and West, and Congress Parkway to the South), representing less than 3% of the metered parking spaces, rates will be $5.75 per hour from 8 AM- 9 PM and the same rate for two hours from 9 PM – 8 AM.

Except for Inside the Loop, payment is not required from 9 PM to 8 AM unless otherwise posted.

The transition to the new rates will begin on January 2^nd, starting with the Loop and moving outward into the neighborhoods.  Weather conditions permitting, the goal is to complete the transition in January.

Most importantly, as the transition moves forward, motorists are only responsible for paying the posted rate on the meters.  Accordingly, only the posted rates on each meter/pay box will be enforced.

If motorists have any questions or concerns, they can call 877-242-7901 or 312-744-PARK.  To access any information about the parking meter system, they can always consult www.chicagometers.com.

The Pay Box system includes a number of amenities for the benefit of motorists and their communities, including:

Portable time: Receipts purchased at pay boxes are good until expiration at any meter with the same or lower hourly rate, and they now are clearly printed with the rate so motorists can easily determine where they can use their receipt.  Given that the vast majority of meters are in the neighborhoods at the same rate, that means people can take payment with them as they visit many different business districts.

Automatic parking ticket dismissal: Information on meter malfunctions is captured in a database and shared with the City of Chicago which has automatically dismissed tickets for inoperable meters this year.

Pre-payment: Pay boxes are programmed to offer pre-payment whenever possible.  Motorists parking at 24-hour meters can generally pre-pay until 10:00am unless rush hour restrictions are in place.  At most other meters, motorists can pre-pay as early as 5:00am until 10:00am or later.

24 x 7 Customer Service: Motorists can call 877.242.7901 or go to www.chicagometers.com to report a broken meter. Repairs are made in less than one business day, usually in just a few hours.

In a continuing show of support for the fight against Breast Cancer, Chicago Parking Meters LLC (CPM) is displaying pink ribbons on its’ more than 3300 pay boxes throughout the City of Chicago.  October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month and all CPM pay boxes are wearing the ribbons to remind women of the need to be vigilant about breast health.

“We are continuing our effort to raise awareness about the dangers of Breast Cancer,” said CPM CEO Dennis Pedrelli.  “We are happy to support to this cause and hope that seeing pink ribbons on pay boxes citywide will remind us to take good care of ourselves.”

In addition to displaying the symbolic pink ribbons on pay boxes, CPM has also provided financial support to the breast cancer awareness movement.  CPM contributed $10,000 to the Avon Breast Cancer Awareness campaign in 2010 to support to research and treatment programs at Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Lynn Sage Comprehensive Breast Center and the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Chicago Parking Meters continues to assess the merits of the Park Magic system as well as other cashless payment options to provide the most convenient and reliable system for Chicago. Refunds are being processed for account holders with a cash balance.

Chicago Parking Meters (CPM) participated in the 2011 Chicago Avon Walk for Breast Cancer as a Rest Stop Sponsor on Saturday, June 4. This sponsorship opportunity resulted from a generous donation of $10,000 made last year by CPM Community Partners, the philanthropic arm of Chicago Parking Meters, to the Avon Foundation for Women’s Breast Cancer Crusade in recognition of October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

As a Rest Stop Sponsor CPM hosted a booth at the 13.1 mile half-marathon rest stop just outside of Heritage Green Park on the corner of Adams and Des Plaines. Walkers were able to stop by the CPM booth and receive orange slices for an energy boost of vitamin C, sunscreen to counter the blistering sun, and cold water to quench their thirst.

Approximately 3,000 participants contributed to the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, raising more than $6.1 million. Walkers from all over the country traveled along the lakefront, past the downtown area, and through multi-cultural neighborhoods to raise awareness.

CPM Community partners continued its goal to support youth development focused programs by partnering with the Young Women’s Leadership Charter School (YWLCS) to ensure the enhancement of young women’s education in Chicago. On May 25, 2011, Chief Financial Officer of Chicago Parking Meters, Jean Chidley, presented YWLCS with a $10,000 donation that will help YWLCS students receive maximum one-on-one attention, college prep programs and many other resources necessary to provide a quality education.

Deniece Fields and Deborah Sawyer accept a $10,000 donation from Jean Chidley on behalf of Chicago Parking Meter to the Young Women’s Leadership Charter School. (Top row: L to R) Deborah Sawyer, Environmental Design International and YWLCS Board President; Jean Chidley of CPM; Deniece Fields, YWLCS Director (Bottom row: L to R) Emira Mamuti, Yazmine Matthews, Bibe Mamuti, Anathiel John-Charles, Teanna Thomas

Board President Deborah Sawyer explains her involvement with the Young Women’s Leadership Charter School and the changes that have occurred since she first became involved ten years ago. (L to R:) Avis Lavelle, President of A. Lavelle Consulting; Deborah Sawyer, Environmental Design International and YWLCS Board President; Taaj Reaves, A. Lavelle Consulting Intern; Jean Chidley of CPM; Teanna Thomas, YWLCS Student; Martha Elder Khanna, YWLCS Development Director

Jean Chidley (left) of Chicago Parking Meters and Young Women’s Leadership Charter School Development Director Martha Elder Khanna listen intently as 11^th grade student Teanna Thomas explains a typical day at YWLCS.

“The children of Chicago are fortunate to have a world-class hospital like this one here in Chicago,” Pedrelli said. “As part of our mission to support programs for young people, we think it’s absolutely critical to support the groundbreaking research and care that Children’s Memorial offers.”

“There is a lot of funding targeted toward adult medicine,” Sullivan said. “Not as much goes toward pediatrics, which is why it’s so important to have the support of Chicago Parking Meters and the other members of our Circle of Corporate Champions.”

CPM Community Partners Program is committed to supporting efforts that enhance and improve the quality of life for Chicago area youth and their families.

CPM Chief Executive Officer Dennis Pedrelli and LAZ Parking’s Kevin O’Hara join Children’s Memorial Foundation President Thomas J. Sullivan in front of the wall recognizing Children’s Memorial’s Circle of Corporate Champions. (L-R) Pedrelli, Sullivan, O’Hara.

CPM Chief Executive Officer Dennis Pedrelli and LAZ Parking’s Kevin O’Hara present a check for $10,000 to Children’s Memorial Foundation President Thomas J. Sullivan.

(L-R) Children’s Memorial Foundation Development Officer Jennifer Heimerl, LAZ Parking’s Kevin O’Hara and CPM Chief Executive Officer Dennis Pedrelli watch as Children’s Memorial Foundation President Thomas J. Sullivan describes photos of the new Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago , which will open in 2012.

“We owe so much to the brave men and women who risk their lives – and in this case, lost their lives – to keep us and our city safe,” said CPM CEO Dennis Pedrelli. “While families can never be fully compensated for the loss of their loved ones, it is an honor to contribute to a cause that offers assistance in such a time of need.”

The donation will help ease the financial burden for families of the fallen, including immediate financial assistance, partial relief of family debts and the ongoing cost of higher education. All families of federal, state, county and local police officers, firefighters and paramedics stationed in Cook County are eligible for support from the 100 Club.

(L-R) Kevin O’Hara of LAZ Parking, 100 Club President Tom Cashman, 100 Club Executive Director Joe Ahearn and Chicago Parking Meters CEO Dennis Pedrelli