You would think that parking laws would apply to all of us.
But you just might be wrong.
Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza is floating a proposal that would allow registered Realtors to buy universal permits to park in parking zones restricted to neighborhood residents.
Why single out real estate agents for this exemption?
Because they want it. Real estate agents are always out and about showing properties to prospective buyers. Too often, they have trouble finding places to park because of restrictions on nonresident would-be parkers.
The Chicago Association of Realtors has sought a “Professional Parking Permit” plan for years, as the group calls it. The professionals, though, would only be real estate professionals.
Here’s how the plan would work:
Real estate agents would be able to park in these restricted areas from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The yearly fee to Chicago real estate agents would be $500. The fee to suburban, non-Chicago real estate agents would be $800.
The real problem with the proposal – as you already have figured out – is why there should be parking exemptions for real estate agents alone.
What about other professions?
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People in other lines of work are just as busy as real estate agents. Why can’t they receive an exemption as well?
Or should they receive an exemption? Should anyone? Why have parking laws in the first place if there are to be exemptions merely because some group wants them?
You’ll have to ask the Chicago city clerk, I guess.
Funny thing, though. There already are de facto exemptions to parking laws.
While not exempted by law, delivery trucks seem to park anywhere and not be ticketed.
So, if Chicago officials decide not to adopt the Professional Parking Permit plan, I suggest real estate agents drive clients to view houses in, say, a beer truck. Beer trucks can park anywhere unmolested.
Or, real estate agents might try affixing a pizzeria sign to the top of their Lexus. That might work, too.
Paul Sassone is a freelance columnist for Pioneer Press.