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Disability Parking in Chicago, Illinois:
Everything You Need to Know

• Chicago, IL Disability Parking Laws

  • Qualifying conditions: inability to walk 200 feet without stopping to rest; assistance from another person, prosthetic device, wheelchair, or other assistive device; lung disease; use of portable oxygen; cardiac condition classified as Class III or Class IV; severe limitation in walking ability due to arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition; or legal blindness/significant vision or hearing impairment.
  • A licensed physician, advanced practice nurse, physician assistant, optometrist, or chiropractor must certify your condition on Form VSD 62.
  • Meter-exempt permanent placards (yellow-and-gray striped) are valid for 4 years. Exempt holders from parking meter fees and time limitations at meters exceeding 30 minutes statewide.
  • Non-meter-exempt permanent placards (blue) are valid for 4 years. Allows parking in designated disability spaces but does NOT exempt from meter fees.
  • Temporary placards (red) are valid for up to 6 months.
  • Organizational placards (green) are valid for 4 years for organizations that transport persons with disabilities free of charge.
  • Parking in disability space without a valid placard: fine up to $350. Unauthorized use: $600 fine and license suspension/revocation possible. Fraudulent use (e.g., using a deceased person's placard) is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $1,000 or more, rising to a Class 4 felony with a $2,000+ fine for a second offense.
  • Placards and plates are NOT transferable. Authorized holder must be present and enter or exit vehicle.
  • Limit of one placard per person.
  • Applications must be submitted to the Illinois Secretary of State.

• Documents You'll Need

  To apply for, replace, or renew a Chicago, IL disability parking placard, the required documents vary slightly depending on your situation. Here's a breakdown:

  New Permanent or Temporary Placard

  To apply for a new disability parking placard in Chicago, IL, you'll need:

  • Form VSD 62 (Persons with Disabilities Certification for Parking Placard/License Plates), with Part 3 completed by a licensed physician, advanced practice nurse, physician assistant, optometrist, or chiropractor
  • Part 4 must be completed for meter-exempt parking certification (requires valid Illinois driver's license)
  • Valid Illinois driver's license or ID card

  Online Doctor's Certification

  If applying through a telehealth service like ParkingMD, you can get your evaluation done completely online. You can skip the DMV wait in Illinois by completing the medical certification step from home.

  • You'll receive a signed and dated Form VSD 62 by email within 24-48 hours.
  • You can print and submit it to an Illinois Secretary of State facility (temporary placards) or mail it to the following address:

  Chicago North Facility

  5401 N. Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60630

  Chicago West Facility

  5301 W. Lexington St, Chicago, IL 60644

  ParkingMD provides the medical evaluation and certification only. A Secretary of State facility reviews the application and issues the physical permit in Chicago.

  Lost or Stolen Placard Replacement

  If your placard is lost, stolen, or damaged, you'll need to provide:

  • Form VSD 415 (replacement form)
  • Submit to the Secretary of State facility or mail to the Springfield office.
  • Medical certification is not required if the current permit is still valid

  Note:

  If you are a caretaker for a person with disabilities, complete Part 2 of Form VSD 62 to use the placard when transporting the person with disabilities. The person with the disability must exit and enter the vehicle when parked in disability or metered spaces.

• Permanent Placards

  • Expire every 4 years.
  • Renewal follows the same process as the initial application: complete Form VSD 62 with physician certification & submit by mail to the Chicago, Illinois Secretary of State office.

  Permanent placard holders may also qualify for the America the Beautiful Access Pass — a free lifetime pass for entry to over 2,000 national parks and federal recreation sites.

  Temporary Placards

  • Valid for up to 6 months as specified by physician.
  • May be submitted to any Secretary of State facility or mailed to Springfield office.

  Replacing a Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Placard

  • Complete Application for Replacement Disability Parking Placard (VSD 415)
  • Submit to any Secretary of State facility or mail to Springfield office.
  • Medical certification not required if current permit is still valid.

  Turnaround Time

  Permanent placards processed through Springfield office typically take about 45-60 days. Temporary placards may be processed same-day at Secretary of State facilities. Contact the Persons with Disabilities Placard Unit for specific processing times.

• New Law: Expectant Mother Temporary Parking Permits

  What's New (HB 3027)

  • Effective Date: January 1, 2022.
  • The Illinois General Assembly passed HB 3027, signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker in August 2021, allowing the Secretary of State to issue temporary disability parking decals to expectant mothers during their third trimester.

  Permit Details

  • Permit Type: Temporary disabled parking placard (Red, same as standard temporary disability placards)
  • Validity Period: Up to 90 days, with the expiration date clearly displayed on the decal
  • Application Fee: Free

  How to Apply

  • Submit Form VSD 62 ("Disabilities Certification for Parking Placard"), completed and signed by a licensed physician who must write "pregnancy" in the diagnosis field and mark "temporary" disability for 90 days.
  • Provide adequate documentation proving you have entered the third trimester and submit to any Secretary of State Driver Services facility (processing time approximately 20 business days)

  Additional Details

  • The placard must be hung from the vehicle's rearview mirror when parked in an accessible (disabled) parking space
  • Applicants must have a valid Illinois driver's license; the temporary decal is recognized and honored by all local authorities throughout Illinois.

  Expectant residents with complications may find additional resources on our Illinois expectant mother handicap placard page.