Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
Days after a heavy snowfall, a toy car is used to hold a cleared parking space in the 8700 block of S. Saginaw Avenue in Chicago on Feb. 4, 2022. The “parking ticket” isn’t a real citation. The officer wrote a note that reads “Have a great day!!!”
Chairs are used to hold a cleared parking space in the 8600 block of S. Kingston Avenue in Chicago on Feb. 4, 2022. After clearing a spot, people will sometimes call “dibs” on it and place objects in the street to hold it.
Chairs and caution tape are used to hold a cleared parking space in the 8100 block of S. Essex Avenue in Chicago on Feb. 4, 2022.
Chairs and caution tape are used to hold a cleared parking space in the 8100 block of S. Essex Avenue in Chicago on Feb. 4, 2022.
A chair is used to hold a cleared parking space in the 8400 block of S. Phillips Avenue in Chicago on Feb. 4, 2022.
A chair is used to hold a cleared parking space in the 8400 block of S. Phillips Avenue in Chicago on Feb. 4, 2022.
A chair marks dibs on a parking space along West North Shore Avenue, Feb. 2, 2022, in the West Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago. More than 8 inches of snow had fallen in parts of Chicago and Cook County by 9 a.m., while the city's official storm tally reported at O'Hare International Airport maxed out at 5 inches as of noon, when the most recent snowfall totals were shared with National Weather Service meteorologists.
A chair marks dibs on a parking space along West North Shore Avenue, Feb. 2, 2022, in the West Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago. More than 8 inches of snow had fallen in parts of Chicago and Cook County by 9 a.m., while the city’s official storm tally reported at O’Hare International Airport maxed out at 5 inches as of noon, when the most recent snowfall totals were shared with National Weather Service meteorologists.
Household items reserve a “dibs” parking spot in the Bridgeport neighborhood on Feb. 2, 2022.
A subwoofer marks dibs in a parking space along North Rockwell Street on Feb. 2, 2022, in the West Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago.
A subwoofer marks dibs in a parking space along North Rockwell Street on Feb. 2, 2022, in the West Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago.
Household items, including a pair of chairs, reserve a “dibs” parking spot in the Bridgeport neighborhood on Feb. 2, 2022.
A crutch reserves a “dibs” parking spot in the Bridgeport neighborhood, Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022.
Cat litter buckets mark dibs on a parking space along North Maplewood Avenue, Feb. 2, 2022, in the West Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago.
Cat litter buckets mark dibs on a parking space along North Maplewood Avenue, Feb. 2, 2022, in the West Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago.
Plastic and cardboard mark dibs on a parking space along North Maplewood Avenue on Feb. 2, 2022, in the West Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago.
Plastic and cardboard mark dibs on a parking space along North Maplewood Avenue on Feb. 2, 2022, in the West Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago.
A chair holds a parking spot, or also known as “dibs”, on the 1800 block of North Drake Avenue in Chicago on Jan. 3, 2022.
A chair and another item holds a parking spot, or also known as “dibs”, on the 3600 block of West Cortland Street in Chicago on Jan. 3, 2022.
A garbage can holds a parking spot along the 2700 block of West Evergreen Avenue in Chicago on Jan. 3, 2022.
A garbage can holds a parking spot along the 2700 block of West Evergreen Avenue in Chicago on Jan. 3, 2022.
A microwave oven reserves a dibs parking space in the Bridgeport neighborhood on Feb. 17, 2021.
A microwave oven reserves a dibs parking space in the Bridgeport neighborhood on Feb. 17, 2021.
A chair reserves a parking spot on Avenue L on Chicago's Southeast Side as a snow plow moves through on Feb. 16, 2021.
A chair reserves a parking spot on Avenue L on Chicago’s Southeast Side as a snow plow moves through on Feb. 16, 2021.
A boxy tote holds a shoveled spot in the 2800 block of West Shakespeare Avenue in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood on Feb. 18, 2021.
A boxy tote holds a shoveled spot in the 2800 block of West Shakespeare Avenue in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood on Feb. 18, 2021.
A parking sign reserves a space in Chicago's Canaryville neighborhood on Feb. 17, 2021.
A parking sign reserves a space in Chicago’s Canaryville neighborhood on Feb. 17, 2021.
A rocking horse claims a dibs parking spot on Kilbourn Avenue in Chicago's West Lawn neighborhood on Feb. 16, 2021.
A rocking horse claims a dibs parking spot on Kilbourn Avenue in Chicago’s West Lawn neighborhood on Feb. 16, 2021.
Vincent Guerrero digs out a set of parking spaces along West Cornelia Avenue in the Avondale neighborhood Feb. 16, 2021. “I’m from Chicago, but I hate dibs,” he said.
A hand-painted dibs chair claims a parking space in the Garfield Ridge neighborhood Feb. 16, 2021.
A hand-painted dibs chair claims a parking space in the Garfield Ridge neighborhood Feb. 16, 2021.
Lake-effect snow falls on a vacated dibs parking spot in the West Town neighborhood Feb. 11, 2021.
Lake-effect snow falls on a vacated dibs parking spot in the West Town neighborhood Feb. 11, 2021.
A small chair marks a cleared parking spot in the 2500 block of South Troy Street in Chicago on Feb. 9, 2021.
A small chair marks a cleared parking spot in the 2500 block of South Troy Street in Chicago on Feb. 9, 2021.
A cooler and a chair hold cleared parking spots in the 2500 block of South Whipple Street in Chicago on Feb. 9, 2021.
A cooler and a chair hold cleared parking spots in the 2500 block of South Whipple Street in Chicago on Feb. 9, 2021.
A broom, a crate and chairs hold a cleared parking spot in the 2500 block of South Whipple Street in Chicago on Feb. 9, 2021.
A broom, a crate and chairs hold a cleared parking spot in the 2500 block of South Whipple Street in Chicago on Feb. 9, 2021.
A face mask lies atop an old tire used to hold a cleared parking spot in the 2600 block of South Troy Street in Chicago on Feb. 9, 2021.
A face mask lies atop an old tire used to hold a cleared parking spot in the 2600 block of South Troy Street in Chicago on Feb. 9, 2021.
A barstool is used to hold a cleared parking spot in the 2600 block of West 24th Street in Chicago on Feb. 9, 2021.
A barstool is used to hold a cleared parking spot in the 2600 block of West 24th Street in Chicago on Feb. 9, 2021.
A colorful Tommy Bahama chair marks a dibs parking spot along West Arthur Avenue on Feb. 9, 2021, in the West Ridge neighborhood of Chicago.
A colorful Tommy Bahama chair marks a dibs parking spot along West Arthur Avenue on Feb. 9, 2021, in the West Ridge neighborhood of Chicago.
A plastic Radio Flyer wagon marks a parking spot as dibs along West Arthur Avenue on Feb. 9, 2021, in the West Ridge neighborhood of Chicago.
A plastic Radio Flyer wagon marks a parking spot as dibs along West Arthur Avenue on Feb. 9, 2021, in the West Ridge neighborhood of Chicago.
A ladder holds a cleared parking spot in the 1800 block of West 17th Street in Chicago on Feb. 9, 2021.
A ladder holds a cleared parking spot in the 1800 block of West 17th Street in Chicago on Feb. 9, 2021.
A chair is used to hold a cleared parking spot in the 2200 block of West 18th Street in Chicago on Feb. 9, 2021.
A chair is used to hold a cleared parking spot in the 2200 block of West 18th Street in Chicago on Feb. 9, 2021.
A lounge chair marks a parking spot as dibs along North Talman Avenue on Feb. 9, 2021, in the West Ridge neighborhood of Chicago.
A lounge chair marks a parking spot as dibs along North Talman Avenue on Feb. 9, 2021, in the West Ridge neighborhood of Chicago.
A bucket and sawhorses are used to hold a cleared parking spot in the 1800 block of West 17th Street in Chicago on Feb. 9, 2021.
A bucket and sawhorses are used to hold a cleared parking spot in the 1800 block of West 17th Street in Chicago on Feb. 9, 2021.
A beverage cooler claims dibs along North Rockwell Avenue on Feb. 9, 2021, in the West Ridge neighborhood of Chicago.
A beverage cooler claims dibs along North Rockwell Avenue on Feb. 9, 2021, in the West Ridge neighborhood of Chicago.
Pieces of wood claim dibs along North Maplewood Avenue on Feb. 9, 2021, in the West Ridge neighborhood of Chicago.
Pieces of wood claim dibs along North Maplewood Avenue on Feb. 9, 2021, in the West Ridge neighborhood of Chicago.
A stool claims dibs along West Arthur Avenue on Feb. 9, 2021, in the West Ridge neighborhood of Chicago.
A stool claims dibs along West Arthur Avenue on Feb. 9, 2021, in the West Ridge neighborhood of Chicago.
A chair marks a parking spot along West Arthur Avenue on Feb. 9, 2021, in the West Ridge neighborhood of Chicago.
A chair marks a parking spot along West Arthur Avenue on Feb. 9, 2021, in the West Ridge neighborhood of Chicago.
A metal chair claims dibs along West Arthur Avenue on Feb. 9, 2021, in the West Ridge neighborhood of Chicago.
A metal chair claims dibs along West Arthur Avenue on Feb. 9, 2021, in the West Ridge neighborhood of Chicago.
Dresser drawers claim dibs in a dug-out parking spot in the 3200 block of West Belle Plaine Avenue in Chicago's Irving Park neighborhood on Feb. 1, 2021.
Dresser drawers claim dibs in a dug-out parking spot in the 3200 block of West Belle Plaine Avenue in Chicago’s Irving Park neighborhood on Feb. 1, 2021.
Dibs is claimed in the 3200 block of West Belle Plaine Avenue in Chicago's Irving Park neighborhood on Feb. 1, 2021.
Dibs is claimed in the 3200 block of West Belle Plaine Avenue in Chicago’s Irving Park neighborhood on Feb. 1, 2021.
A single chair claims dibs in a cleared parking spot on South Michigan Avenue on Jan. 31, 2021, in Bronzeville.
A single chair claims dibs in a cleared parking spot on South Michigan Avenue on Jan. 31, 2021, in Bronzeville.
Furniture marks a dibs spot along South Michigan Avenue during a winter storm Jan. 31, 2021, in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago.
Furniture marks a dibs spot along South Michigan Avenue during a winter storm Jan. 31, 2021, in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago.
Parking dibs is claimed with a chair and a brook on the 5500 block of West Berteau Avenue in Chicago's Portage Park neighborhood on a cold and snowy Jan. 28, 2019.
Parking dibs is claimed with a chair and a brook on the 5500 block of West Berteau Avenue in Chicago’s Portage Park neighborhood on a cold and snowy Jan. 28, 2019.
On the Far North Side of Chicago, the sun shines on the classic dibs of using a chair to claim a cleared parking space on the street. Record-breaking low temperatures closed schools and many businesses in Chicago on Jan. 6, 2014.
On the Far North Side of Chicago, the sun shines on the classic dibs of using a chair to claim a cleared parking space on the street. Record-breaking low temperatures closed schools and many businesses in Chicago on Jan. 6, 2014.
A toy car stakes a claim on a shoveled-out parking spot on Huron Street and Damen Avenue on Chicago's West Side on Jan. 12, 2009.
A toy car stakes a claim on a shoveled-out parking spot on Huron Street and Damen Avenue on Chicago’s West Side on Jan. 12, 2009.
A pair of legs with boots sticks out from a pile of snow along Oak Park Avenue at Stanley Avenue in Berwyn on Feb. 7, 2011. The fake legs and boots were placed outside George's Tavern.
A pair of legs with boots sticks out from a pile of snow along Oak Park Avenue at Stanley Avenue in Berwyn on Feb. 7, 2011. The fake legs and boots were placed outside George’s Tavern.
A “dibs” in the West Rogers Park neighborhood. Heavy snowfall in Chicago and temperatures that were not too cold made for a good day for playing outdoors Sunday Feb. 11, 2018. (Nancy Stone/baiduhai)
A Big Bird children's chair calls dibs on a shoveled parking spot at Whipple Street and Sunnyside Avenue in Chicago on Jan. 12, 2009.
A Big Bird children’s chair calls dibs on a shoveled parking spot at Whipple Street and Sunnyside Avenue in Chicago on Jan. 12, 2009.
A beer carton is used to hold dibs on a cleared-out parking space in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood Jan. 8, 2014.
A beer carton is used to hold dibs on a cleared-out parking space in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood Jan. 8, 2014.
Chicago neighbors along the 1800 block of Lincoln Park West picked up their shovels and worked together to clear the block Dec. 29, 1951, after a big snowstorm. Yes, the whole block — not just the spots where their own cars happened to be or the spots in front of their homes.
Chicago neighbors along the 1800 block of Lincoln Park West picked up their shovels and worked together to clear the block Dec. 29, 1951, after a big snowstorm. Yes, the whole block — not just the spots where their own cars happened to be or the spots in front of their homes.
A Chicagoan on the North Side put a polite dibs sign on his or her shoveled parking spot on Jan. 23, 1979.
A Chicagoan on the North Side put a polite dibs sign on his or her shoveled parking spot on Jan. 23, 1979.
A wooden rocking horse watches over a cleared-out parking space in the Little Village area after a snowstorm Feb. 10, 2018.
A wooden rocking horse watches over a cleared-out parking space in the Little Village area after a snowstorm Feb. 10, 2018.
A store model sporting a jersey stakes dibs on a cleared-out parking space on a Little Village neighborhood street Feb. 5, 2015.
A store model sporting a jersey stakes dibs on a cleared-out parking space on a Little Village neighborhood street Feb. 5, 2015.
A resident uses a chair and a sawhorse to mark a parking space in the Chicago tradition of dibs on Jan. 3, 2014, on the North Side.
A resident uses a chair and a sawhorse to mark a parking space in the Chicago tradition of dibs on Jan. 3, 2014, on the North Side.
Decorative toy soldiers are used for dibs Feb. 11, 2018, in the West Elsdon neighborhood.
Decorative toy soldiers are used for dibs Feb. 11, 2018, in the West Elsdon neighborhood.
A Disney character-themed desk and chair serves as a claim of dibs in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago on Feb. 7, 2011.
A Disney character-themed desk and chair serves as a claim of dibs in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago on Feb. 7, 2011.
Chair used for dibs in Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago on Feb. 7, 2011.
Chair used for dibs in Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago on Feb. 7, 2011.
After residents in the 2100 block of North Mamora Avenue shoveled away snow, they used the time-honored tradition of placing chairs and old ladders to keep other motorists from taking their parking places on Jan. 29, 1978.
After residents in the 2100 block of North Mamora Avenue shoveled away snow, they used the time-honored tradition of placing chairs and old ladders to keep other motorists from taking their parking places on Jan. 29, 1978.
Parking spaces were hard to come by after heavy snow hit the city. Motorists who have dug them out employed some inventive methods to protect them. A chair and a mattress serve the purpose on Wabansia Avenue near North Avenue on Feb. 3, 1978.
Parking spaces were hard to come by after heavy snow hit the city. Motorists who have dug them out employed some inventive methods to protect them. A chair and a mattress serve the purpose on Wabansia Avenue near North Avenue on Feb. 3, 1978.
Under a snowdrift that could be as old as three weeks, a Volkswagen rests immobile in the 7700 block of South Crandon Avenue. A folding chair reserves a parking place in front of it on Feb. 15, 1978.
Under a snowdrift that could be as old as three weeks, a Volkswagen rests immobile in the 7700 block of South Crandon Avenue. A folding chair reserves a parking place in front of it on Feb. 15, 1978.
The person who shoveled a lot of snow in the 8400 block of South Paulina Street in Chicago's Gresham neighborhood is determined to keep it Feb. 22, 1967.
The person who shoveled a lot of snow in the 8400 block of South Paulina Street in Chicago’s Gresham neighborhood is determined to keep it Feb. 22, 1967.
“This is Dibs” showcases a variety of chairs up for auction, with all the proceeds going to Lincoln Park Community Services, a social service agency that assists and counsels the homeless. The chairs created by Chicago artists dedicated were on display at Havas Chicago, 36 E. Grand Ave., on Feb. 8, 2018.
Martin Scigouski moves a chair to claim dibs on a parking spot after motorist Garrett Baruch drove his car out of it in the 2800 block of North Talman Avenue on Feb. 10, 2018, in Chicago.
Martin Scigouski moves a chair to claim dibs on a parking spot after motorist Garrett Baruch drove his car out of it in the 2800 block of North Talman Avenue on Feb. 10, 2018, in Chicago.
A penguin statue is used to hold a parking spot in Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood on Jan. 6, 2014. Record-breaking low temperatures closed schools and many businesses in Chicago.
A penguin statue is used to hold a parking spot in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood on Jan. 6, 2014. Record-breaking low temperatures closed schools and many businesses in Chicago.
A children's chair holds a shoveled parking spot on Francisco Street and Waveland Avenue on the Northwest Side on Jan. 12, 2009, in Chicago.
A children’s chair holds a shoveled parking spot on Francisco Street and Waveland Avenue on the Northwest Side on Jan. 12, 2009, in Chicago.
Snow-shoveled parking space saver Javier Arroyo's table on 18th Place in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood on Jan. 6, 2005.
Snow-shoveled parking space saver Javier Arroyo’s table on 18th Place in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood on Jan. 6, 2005.
Dibs began early on Feb. 2, 2015, after a blizzard hit Chicago. A vacuum seems plugged into a chair on Washtenaw Avenue near Hirsch Street in Humboldt Park.
Dibs began early on Feb. 2, 2015, after a blizzard hit Chicago. A vacuum seems plugged into a chair on Washtenaw Avenue near Hirsch Street in Humboldt Park.
A kids chair stakes a dibs claim on a cleared-out parking space Nov. 26, 2018, on Chicago's Northwest Side after overnight snow.
A kids chair stakes a dibs claim on a cleared-out parking space Nov. 26, 2018, on Chicago’s Northwest Side after overnight snow.
A stroller is used to save a parking space in Chicago on Feb. 12. 2018.
A stroller is used to save a parking space in Chicago on Feb. 12. 2018.
A crutch and a box save a shoveled-out parking space in the 2800 block of South Union Avenue in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood Jan. 6, 2005.
A crutch and a box save a shoveled-out parking space in the 2800 block of South Union Avenue in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood Jan. 6, 2005.