CHICAGO (WLS) — The ABC7 I-Team is uncovering more complaints about installation delays of disabled spots in front of homes.
It all began earlier this year when the I-Team spoke to a woman who was informed it might take a year to secure a disabled parking spot in front of her house, and later claimed she was unjustly denied. Now, additional individuals are coming forward, stating they are also experiencing delays from the city of Chicago.
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From the South Side Brainerd area to Grand Crossing and the city’s West Ridge neighborhood on the Northwest Side, the I-Team is discovering more people experiencing difficulties in obtaining approvals and installations for disabled parking spots.
“We keep getting denied, and I don’t know the exact reason why we keep getting denied,” homeowner Murshed Rab said.
The latest complaints come after ABC7 viewers saw Bridget Vann’s story.
Vann was denied because she possesses a small, detached garage. Yet, that garage couldn’t accommodate her husband’s SUV, and it’s located further from the residence than a designated street spot would be.
After an I-Team report, a spot was eventually installed.
“They just kept telling me that I’m in queue. Okay, well, that was a heck of a queue,” Vann stated. “I reached back out to you, and 48 hours later, like I say, I heard the ping ping ping. I’ll never forget that sound.”
Sharon Freeman applied for her spot in September of 2024. The city cashed her application check that November, and she was approved in April of 2025.
“I’m on a cane right now and I have several health issues,” Freeman said.
However, she says after waiting a total of nine months for signs and the spot to be installed, she called the I-Team.
“I’ll tell you, two days, I got it,” Freeman shared. “Oh, thank you… I really appreciate you… you just don’t know. I was hoping I would have this before winter as I can’t endure another fall.”
In previous statements, the city has admitted that the process can take six months to a year.
Others like John Coleman say they’re being unfairly denied a spot.
“My brother-in-law has had three strokes during COVID, including some recent respiratory issues, and he has a significantly limited ability to move,” Coleman explained. “He can manage maybe 150 feet at best, and that’s on a good day.”
Coleman says he was rejected because of this detached garage, but he says it’s too small. He says the garage is also too far from the home, and the shortest path to is through the backyard, which leads to steep steps.
“I fear for my brother in laws’ safety to get him in and out of the vehicle and I shouldn’t have to,” Coleman said.
Coleman has reapplied. A city of Chicago spokesperson confirmed with the I-Team that the 2023 denial was because of the garage, saying “it was determined the request did not meet eligibility criteria under the City’s Residential Disabled Parking Permit Program due to having access to off-street parking at their residence. The City’s priority is to reserve on-street disabled parking spaces for residents with the greatest needs.”
The ABC 7 I-team found that since January of this year, 879 Chicagoans have appealed denials for disabled residential parking, 63% were eventually approved and 37% were still denied.
The city of Chicago says it installs more than 1,300 disabled parking spaces a year and is “working to further improve efficiencies.” Officials say applications can take time due to site evaluations, City Council approval, or appeals.
Murshed Rab now has a disabled spot for his father after contacting the I-Team.
“Street parking is very bad here and he has to park like multiple blocks away,” Rab said. “So, especially for his like, you know, regular parking, his doctor’s appointment, and other necessary things like, let’s say grocery.”
Rab applied November of 2024 but was denied after five months due to a fire hydrant on the street, and also a small, detached garage. However, Rab does not have access to the garage because their landlord uses it. They appealed and then reached out to ABC7 after eight months of waiting.
“I reach out to I-Team, I send all the documents and finally we got approved, and we are so happy,” Rab said. “It is a victory, yes, and I’m very happy for my father.”
The city says it’s committed to accessibility and added that if a resident is denied they can still request reconsideration through the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, but many residents say the process is long, confusing, and inconsistent.
If you have a tip about a scam or an investigation, call Jason Knowles and the I-Team at 312-750-7-TIP.
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