CHICAGO (WLS) — Federal and local officials say U.S. Postal Service trucks are once again being parked illegally on Chicago’s North Side, reviving safety concerns that city leaders thought had been addressed months ago.
The renewed complaints are centered in Lincoln Park, where elected officials say the Postal Service, an institution nearly as old as the nation itself, is again drawing scrutiny as the country marks its 250th anniversary.
The ABC7 I-Team previously reported in October and December that mail trucks near the Lincoln Park Annex had been blocking bike lanes, crosswalks and stop signs, creating visibility problems for drivers and pedestrians in an area near two schools.
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In recent weeks, those same issues have appeared to resurface.
Postal trucks were observed parked in paid parking spaces, alongside fire hydrants, at bus stops and in other areas where parking is restricted.
Ald. Timmy Knudsen said the return of the violations is especially frustrating after the Postal Service had given assurances that the problem would be resolved.
“The uptick is frustrating to us because we took USPS at their word that they’d be solving this process for good,” Knudsen said. “So every time we get a vehicle out there, you know, we call 911, we reach out to USPS, and we send our warning that, you know, you need to obey the rules of the road, you’re creating a safety hazard.”
Knudsen said the latest pattern of parking violations continues to create risks for people who live, walk, bike and drive in the neighborhood.
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“It’s a huge safety hazard, and you know they park in front of fire hydrants,” he said. “We’ve had situations where they’re parked really blocking a stop sign, blocking a pedestrian crosswalk. When they disobey these laws and park in this way, it creates an unsafe situation on a really, really busy street.”
Despite the violations, Chicago police cannot ticket or tow postal trucks. Only Postal Service police have the authority to do so, leaving the city without enforcement power. U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, who represents much of the North Side, said in a statement that he shares residents’ concerns.
“I join the chorus of frustration… My office is going to keep pushing USPS management on this issue until it’s resolved,” Quigley said.
Knudsen said the Postal Service should be held to the same standards as any other driver.
“There’s just no situation where the United States Postal Service should be exempt from the laws that keep our roads safe for people,” he said.
Knudsen told the ITeam he hopes the Postal Service will consider finding a new home for its Lincoln Park Annex. Quigley said last year that public pressure may be the only way to prompt change.
The ITeam reached out to the Postal Service for comment but has not heard back.
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