Via the Department of Revenue  

Due to a large number of inoperable meters, the City has temporarily suspended the ability of Chicago Parking Meters, LLC (CPM) to issue parking meter violations.  

If you are issued a ticket at a broken meter, be sure to report the broken meter (call 311 or 312 744 PARK) and contest the ticket.  

Call Alderman Shiller's ward office at 773 878 4646 or email This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it if you have questions or would like help contesting your ticket.  You may have to prove the meter was broken during adjudication, so ask for a service request number when you report the broken meter. 

From the press release issued March 31, 2009:

The City of Chicago is taking concrete steps to ensure the effective operation of the parking meter system by Chicago Parking Meters, LLC (CPM), including providing additional staff support and requiring daily updates on CPM's efforts to address operational issues that have occurred over the last several weeks.

The City has expressed concern regarding a large number of inoperable meters, and is taking every step to ensure that CPM is meeting all of its responsibilities for maintaining the system as spelled out in the agreement.

CPM's efforts include substantially increasing the number of crews collecting revenues and sending inspection teams to check every meter that has been changed to reflect new rates, hours and days of operation to ensure the proper rates are being charged and the correct information is posted.  

Because CPM needs to be focused on addressing the problems first, the City has temporarily suspended their ability to issue any parking meter violations until these matters are addressed.   

Motorists can park at an inoperable meter, but they must report the meter malfunction within 24 hours by calling 847-242-7901 or 312-744-PARK.  

If a motorist believes a citation was issued in error, they can and should contest the ticket.

Also, CPM has not yet completed their systemwide changes in rates and posting of rates, days and hours of operation because they are focusing on ensuring system operability for customers. 

But motorists are only required to pay meters based on the posted rates, days and hours of operation.  They will not be ticketed if they are in compliance with posted information.