The Illinois Secretary of States office issues handicap parking permits, or placards, free to persons who have disabilities as defined by law. To apply for a placard, call or visit a local drivers license facility near you or use the contact information at the bottom of this page. A doctor must certify your disability.

There are three types of parking placards -- permanent, temporary, and organizational placards.

Persons with permanent disabilities will be issued a placard. The placards are valid for up to four years and will expire on the users birthday in 2006.

Persons with temporary disabilities will be issued a placard which will be good for the length of time certified by a physician, up to a maximum of six months. To receive another temporary placard, the user must still be disabled and re-applied for the temporary parking placard.

Corporations, school districts, and special education cooperatives that transport individuals with disabilities will be issued organizational placards placard. When using this placard, the person or persons with disabilities must be present when parking the vehicle in reserved areas or free metered spots. All organizational placards expire on April 30, 2006.

Parking placards can also be issued by local governmental agencies, if they choose to do so. Locally-issued cards must conform to these state requirements with regard to color, size, design, and placement within the vehicle. These placards are honored by all enforcement authorities regardless of the jurisdiction that issues them.

For more information, contact the office of the Illinois Secretary of State or an Illinois drivers license facility near you.

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