Alsip trustees consider changing snow-parking rules to ban parking after 2 inches of snow

Trustee Prada presented a proposed amendment to Chapter 19 of Alsips municipal code that would prohibit parking on any public street after a snowfall of at least 2 inches, require village signage informing motorists and permit removal of vehicles parked in violation at the owners expense.

Prada said the change removes the current "designated emergency snow route" language and applies the 2-inch threshold villagewide. She read proposed code language establishing the two-inch trigger, requiring snow cleared curb-to-curb before parking resumes and authorizing fines for repeat daily violations. The draft set a minimum fine of $25 and a maximum of $250; trustees and the police chief recommended aligning the minimum with existing parking fines, proposing $75 as the floor instead of $25.

Public works superintendent Mike Freigher told trustees replacing signage would be the principal implementation task; he estimated roughly a couple hundred signs would be needed but many existing posts and straps could be reused. Trustees discussed posting signs at village entrances to reduce sign clutter within subdivisions while ensuring the rule is visible to motorists entering the community.

Trustees did not adopt the ordinance tonight. They asked staff and the village attorney to finalize language removing "designated emergency snow route," set the minimum fine to match other parking ordinances ($75), and prepare a signage plan and ordinance for formal adoption at a future meeting.

Next steps: staff will inventory existing signs and produce an implementation plan and an updated ordinance draft for a vote; enforcement and towing provisions would take effect after signs are posted.