Joliet City Council Will Consider Free Two-Hour Parking
The Joliet City Council will consider a proposed ordinance amendment allowing free street parking to improve accessibility and convenience for residents and visitors in the downtown area.
The proposed amendment aims to establish two-hour free street parking in three zones between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays to enhance economic vitality and support local businesses in the heart of the city., according to a press release from the city.
The ordinance will first be reviewed by the Public Service Committee on Monday, June 16. The measure will then be presented for a vote by the full council at the Joliet City Council’s regular meeting on Tuesday, June 17.
The key provisions of the proposed amendment include:
• Two-Hour Parking Limit: A two-hour parking limit will be in effect from Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. in Zones A, B and C. Signage will be installed identifying the parking restrictions.
• Re-parking Prohibited: Reparking within the same zone is not allowed between the hours 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
• Exclusion of Early Morning Parking: Parking restrictions will also apply to specific streets between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. for street cleaning including Jefferson Street (between Joliet Street and Mayor Art Schultz Drive), Cass Street (between Joliet Street and Eastern Avenue), and Chicago Street (between Washington Street and Jackson Street).
• Exemptions: The parking restrictions will not apply on holidays.
• Effective Date: The amendment is scheduled to go into effect on Sept. 1, 2025.
Greg Ruddy, Director of Public Works, is overseeing the change.
“The proposal aims to make downtown parking more accessible for patrons, reduce congestion, and create a turnover of available spaces for businesses, visitors and residents,” he said in the release.
“This is part of a broader effort to attract more visitors downtown.”
Ruddy explained that the city will use a vehicle equipped with License Plate Reader (LPR) cameras to monitor how long and where vehicles are parked.
Public Enforcement Officers (PEOs) will issue fines of $30 to vehicles found in violation of the ordinance. The new technology will enable existing staff to work more efficiently, covering a larger area without the need for additional personnel.
Mayor Terry D’Arcy supports the initiative, especially as renovations continue downtown.
“Free street parking has been discussed in the past by both the council and downtown business owners,” explained D’Arcy in the release.
“If the council approves this measure, it will be permanent and another step toward supporting our downtown businesses during the ongoing construction and transformation.”