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Application Process

Student and contractor permits must be purchased through the Chicago Parking Services Office.

Faculty and staff can renew annual parking permits through the online portal.

We recommend that you stop by the Chicago Parking Office to receive parking information and complete instructions.

Commuter Parking

  1. Make sure you meet the parking eligibility criteria.
  2. Contact your school or department parking administrator.
    • Students: Contact the Student Affairs Office of your individual school.
    • Faculty and Staff: If you do not know your departmental parking administrator, contact us at 312-503-1103.
  3. Your parking administrator will submit an approval form if parking is available. The form will be submitted to verify that you may purchase one of their allocated parking spaces. Once the form has been processed, you will receive your parking application via email. Faculty and staff may renew their annual parking permit online. A link to the online renewal site will be emailed to annual permit holders each September.
  4. Bring the following items to the Chicago Parking Office:
    • A valid driver's license
    • Your valid Wildcard
    • Current vehicle registration
  5. Pay for your permit.
    • Students: Parking permits can be purchased with credit card, cash, check, or student account billing (in which case the charge will appear on the current quarter's tuition statement).
      • Parking is available on an annual or academic year. Please see the Student Permit page for pricing and effective date information.
    • Faculty/Staff: Parking must be paid through payroll deduction; fees are deducted pre-tax from an employee's paycheck each month.
  6. Your Wildcard will be activated within two business days for your assigned parking lot.
    • Abbot Lot: Place your Wildcard in front of the reader at the lot entrance and tap it to the reader. The gate will automatically lift when exiting.
    • Erie Ontario and Huron Superior Garages: The license plate reader system (LPR) will attempt to read your license plate when entering the garages. There are conditions that make it difficult for the system to read your license plate. In these instances have your Wildcard ready as your back-up credential. If needed, place your Wildcard in front of the reader and tap it to the reader.
    • Chestnut and 441 Garages: Place your parking transponder in front of the read at the lot entrance and tap it to the reader.

Evening and Weekend Parking

Evening and weekend parking is available on an annual, academic year, or quarterly basis. These permits do not require departmental approval.

  1. Complete the parking application
    • Faculty and Staff: fill out the Online Parking Application or download the Faculty & Staff Parking Application
    • Students: fill out the Online Parking Application or download Student Parking application
    • Online Parking Applications: Once the form has been processed, your Wildcard will be activated within two business days and you will receive your parking receipt and decal via U.S. Mail or in-person from the Chicago Parking Office.
    • Printed Parking Application: See a sample  of a completed form. When you are completing the form, please note: 
      • Vehicle plate information and proof of registration must be included with the application.
      • Enter the Evening and Weekend parking rate for which you are applying.
      • Print legibly when completing the form.
      • Return the completed form to the Chicago Parking Office:
        710 N Lake Shore Drive
        Abbott Hall, Room 100
        Chicago, IL 60611-3078
  2. Pay for your permit.
  3. Your Wildcard will be activated at Erie Ontario Parking Garage (321 East Erie Street) within two business days.

Parking access is available from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. Monday through Friday, and 24-hours on the weekend and University holidays. Please keep your permit receipt in your vehicle at all times.

The license plate reader system (LPR) will attempt to read your license plate when entering the garages. There are conditions that make it difficult for the system to read your license plate. In these instances have your Wildcard ready as your back-up credential. If needed, place your Wildcard in front of the reader and tap it to the reader.

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