Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Subscribe FREE to Ray Hanania’s Columns
  • Advertise
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Aaron Hanania
      • Steve Metsch
      • Steve Neuhaus
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • Midnight Flight Book
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Seniors
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • The Arab street Podcast
  • Submit a Press Release
  • Toggle search form
  • Former Congressman Barry Goldwater Jr., the son of the former presidential candidate and conscience of the Republican Conservative movement. Photo courtesy of Berry M. Goldwater Jr.
    Barry Goldwater Jr., son of Republican conservative icon, to keynote Gorman rally Friday Blogger
  • ormer City Hall reporter Ray Hanania, ShawnTe Raines-Welch and Nick Kantas, candidates for Judge in the 4th SubCircuit, and Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar.
    Arab Democratic Club forum hosts candidates for public office at brunch May 15 censorship
  • Orland Township hosts Job Fair
    Orland Township events: Walk & Talk program, and Summer Job Fair Business
  • Liz Gorman hosts Forum for Republican Candidates May 20. Former Congressman Barry Goldwater Jr., the son of the former presidential candidate and conscience of the Republican Conservative movement, will be a keynote speaker
    Barry Goldwater Jr., son of former GOP Presidential icon, headlines Gorman Republican Forum breaking news
  • Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White held a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the driver services facility in the Orland Township Building, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park. Also attending the ribbon cutting were (from left): Orland Township Trustee Antonio Rubino, Orland Township Trustee John Lynch, Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago), Orland Township Assessor Rich Kelly and Senator Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort).
    Illinois Secretary of State’s race is a mess Blogger
  • Closure notice from Mayor Lori Lightfoot for Arab and Muslim owned Citgo Gas Station at at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago.
    Mayor Lightfoot accused of targeting Arab and Muslim stores in gang crackdown Business
  • Two backpacks full of emergency supplies sit ready for action in John and Chloe Clayborn’s Lincoln Park living room — one “go bag” for each of them.
    Maintaining Calm Amid Chaos: Families Pack ‘Go Bags’ to be Ready for Natural Disasters Features
  • Fathers Rights Attorney Jeffery M. Leving
    Dad gains sole custody to protect son from reported abuse Chicago
  • Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker
    Governor Pritzker joins Secretary Pete Buttigieg for ribbon cutting at Joliet Gateway Center’s new Pace bus facility Government
  • A Roe vs Wade support placard
    Casten and Newman vow to find to defend Roe vs Wade federal ruling Health
  • David Shestokas, Republican candidate for Illinois AttorneyGeneral in the June 28, 2022 GOP primary election
    Shestokas adds law and order professionals to his campaign for Illinois Attorney General elections
  • The Political Pundit Comic Strip for May 3, 2022. By Ray Hanania
    The Political Pundit Comic Strip: Anyone who criticizes me hates the police Blogger
  • Chicago Wolves face-off with Toronto Marlies Nov. 13, 2021
    Chicago Wolves sweep AH regular season awards Chicago
  • Classic and great tasting Shish Kabob plate with skewers of beef, lamb, and kuftah on a bed of yellow and red rice at Zwar in Orland Park. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Finally an Arab Restaurant in Orland Park Americans will love Entertainment
  • David Moore Talks w Germaine Light. Photo courtesy of David Moore
    Moore endorsed for Secretary of State by U.S. Rep. Davis and former Alderman Simpson elections

Are handicap parking privileges being abused?

Posted on May 22, 2015November 29, 2019 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Are handicap parking privileges being abused?
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Too often, I see people briskly step out of their vehicles parked in handicapped parking zones and displaying handicapped licenses plates or handicapped rear view mirror tags. They just don’t look like they need the plates, but who in government is courageous enough to set this abuse straight?

By Ray Hanania

Handicapped Parking spaces. Are they being abused by senior citizens and elderly who are healthy but want the privilege of parking near the door? (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Handicapped Parking spaces. Are they being abused by senior citizens and elderly who are healthy but want the privilege of parking near the door? (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Three times in the past two weeks, I’ve watched drivers in perfect health, park their cars in Handicap spaces and then briskly walk to do their business.

It’s disturbing. Handicap parking should be for those who have real handicaps – using a walker, wheelchair, or have serious disabilities, not for those who think they deserve special privileges.

Has Handicap parking become a license for privilege and clout?

Just because you are old doesn’t mean you should get a tag that allows you to park in a Handicap space.

I’m old, and I don’t need help. I also don’t need a handicap parking spot. It’s healthy for me to park further away and walk. Yes, walk. It’s good for even us seniors.

I am not saying people with obvious disabilities should be denied the tags and plate. I know some disabled people need a driver, who is not disabled, to help them and drive them around.

But when the disabled person or handicapped person is NOT in the car, then the driver, who is NOT handicapped, should not be allowed to park in a Handicap space.

Too often, people who have handicap plates and tags just park there because they can.

As a baby boomer, my world is turning into Senior World fast. They’re a lot of us. I got to the health club and see how healthy they really are, walking from their handicap spaces to exercise and socialize, too.

I don’t think an elderly person who can pump 150 pounds of iron at the Health Club, or ride an exercise bike for an hour should be punished for parking his, or her, car in a Handicap space?

That’s pretty selfish.

Recently, a reader quibbled when I complained Handicap Parking is being abused.

She noted some people who look like they don’t have handicaps, do.

“I feel compelled to write after reading your article in Friday, March 6th. No doubt there are people who abuse the handicap parking program. I have had Parkinson’s Disease for 18 years now. I look normal, but am far from it. My walking freezes without warning. Leaving Chicago Ridge Mall last summer, I got ‘stuck’ on the curb to the parking lot for a half hour. I never know what kind of day I’m going to have. It’s always a surprise! I only use my placard when my day is already going the wrong way.”

She’s definitely an exception. But it is so wrong for others who have no real disability to park in handicap spots.

Something needs to be done.

The state could require Senior Parking spots and Secretary of State Jesse White could issue “Senior Parking” permits for spaces further away from Handicap spots.

I also think people should be allowed to submit videotapes of suspected offenders and send the videos to the state for review.

I bet many vehicles with handicap tags or plates are driven by people who do not need them, and should only use them when a handicapped person is in the car.

The requirements for obtaining a handicap plate or tag are strict. The list is specific (wheelchairs, amputees, limited ability to walk and respiratory problems).

In too many cases that I have seen, none of these requirements apply.

If you can walk, then do it from 20 feet away and leave the handicap parking spot free for someone who really needs it.

(Ray Hanania is a former Award Winning Chicago City Hall reporter. Reach him at rghanania@gmail.com.)

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.  

Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.

Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.

Follow RayHanania on Gettr.com, the uncensored Twitter Ray Hanania on Gettr, the new Twitter
Ray Hanania
Latest posts by Ray Hanania (see all)
  • Barry Goldwater Jr., son of Republican conservative icon, to keynote Gorman rally Friday - May 18, 2022
  • Arab Democratic Club forum hosts candidates for public office at brunch May 15 - May 17, 2022
  • Orland Township events: Walk & Talk program, and Summer Job Fair - May 17, 2022
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Baby Boomers, Opinion, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland Tags:baby boomers, handicap parking, handicapped parking, senior citizens

Post navigation

Previous Post: Have a Halal of a time at Pete’s Market, and meet women too
Next Post: Remembering Summit Mayor Joe Strzelczyk

Related Posts

  • Flu Shot Clinics are starting at the Township in September. In attempt to continue to further protect the community this year, Orland Township residents will have the opportunity to receive their seasonal flu-shots on select days in the coming months.
    Fight The Flu at Orland Township coronavirus
  • Rush Darwish logo for Congress in the 3rd DIstrict in Illinois
    2nd candidate enters race to challenge Dan Lipinski for Congress Chicago
  • The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Aug. 18 for the new performing arts center at Argo Community High School in Summit. The new center was made possible thanks in part to a $1 million donation from alumni Richard and Sharon Portillo. (Photo by Steve Metsch)
    Landek announces over $155 million in funding for local school districts Education
  • Bill Foster Democrat 11th District Illinois
    Foster Announces Federal Funding for Programs to Combat Youth Substance Use in Naperville and Aurora Crime
  • Tier 1 Chart from the Illinois Department of Public Health. Courtesy of the IDPH
    IDPH Announces Region 5 Moves into Tier 1 Mitigation – Limited Indoor Dining Chicago
  • photo of the fryer area where the fire began. Photo courtesy of the Orland Fire Protection District
    Sprinkler extinguishes early morning fire at Patio Restaurant in Orland Park breaking news

More Related Articles

Chicago Public Schools headquarters, Chicago, Illinois. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Governor misleads voters over education funding veto Education
Devastating tondo. Photo by Nikolas Noonan on Unsplash Gov. Pritzker issues Tornado Disaster Proclamation for Illinois communities impacted by recent storms Illinois Legislature
Garbage truck dazzles News
Chicagoland stores battle for growing Middle Eastern market Features
Orland Township Santa Letters Seniors Orland Township’s Holiday Letters to Elders Program Baby Boomers
Cook County Forest Preserve north branch trail miami woods. Photo courtesy of the Cook County Forest Preserve District Cook County Forest Preserve to host public events Sept. 26 at forest locations Chicago

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Former Congressman Barry Goldwater Jr., the son of the former presidential candidate and conscience of the Republican Conservative movement. Photo courtesy of Berry M. Goldwater Jr.
    Barry Goldwater Jr., son of Republican conservative icon, to keynote Gorman rally Friday
    May 18, 2022
  • Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White held a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the driver services facility in the Orland Township Building, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park. Also attending the ribbon cutting were (from left): Orland Township Trustee Antonio Rubino, Orland Township Trustee John Lynch, Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago), Orland Township Assessor Rich Kelly and Senator Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort).
    Illinois Secretary of State’s race is a mess
    May 8, 2022
  • The Political Pundit Comic Strip for May 3, 2022. By Ray Hanania
    The Political Pundit Comic Strip: Anyone who criticizes me hates the police
    May 3, 2022
  • Pekau Sign place along curb.
    Crime is down for everyone but Pekau, he claims
    April 29, 2022
  • Chicagos first minority and Woman Mayor Jane M. Byrne is often ignored by the mainstream media. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Remembering Great Chicago Mayors, not just one
    April 23, 2022
  • Gas station image gasoline pump. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Governor and legislature turn public need into campaign greed
    April 16, 2022

Subscribe

  • Ray-Hanania-Newsletter-300-wide-Banner.jpg

Trending

  • Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White held a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the driver services facility in the Orland Township Building, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park. Also attending the ribbon cutting were (from left): Orland Township Trustee Antonio Rubino, Orland Township Trustee John Lynch, Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago), Orland Township Assessor Rich Kelly and Senator Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort). Illinois Secretary of Sta... Illinois Secretary of State's race is a mess Most elections are pretty muc... posted on May 8, 2022
  • Suspect Joseph Guzman, 20, charged in two separate homicides that took the lives of three people. April 28, 2022. Mugshot courtesy of the Cicero Police Cicero Police and Illinoi... Cicero Police and Illinois State police announce murder charges against two... posted on April 28, 2022
  • Closure notice from Mayor Lori Lightfoot for Arab and Muslim owned Citgo Gas Station at at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago. Mayor Lightfoot accused o... Mayor Lightfoot accused of targeting Arab and Muslim stores in gang crackdo... posted on May 7, 2022
  • Classic and great tasting Shish Kabob plate with skewers of beef, lamb, and kuftah on a bed of yellow and red rice at Zwar in Orland Park. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania Finally an Arab Restauran... Finally an Arab Restaurant in Orland Park Americans will love One of the b... posted on April 29, 2022
  • The Political Pundit Comic Strip for May 3, 2022. By Ray Hanania The Political Pundit Comi... The Political Pundit Comic Strip: Anyone who criticizes me hates the police... posted on May 3, 2022
  • NEWS
  • ormer City Hall reporter Ray Hanania, ShawnTe Raines-Welch and Nick Kantas, candidates for Judge in the 4th SubCircuit, and Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar.
    Arab Democratic Club forum hosts candidates for public office at brunch May 15
    May 17, 2022
  • Orland Township hosts Job Fair
    Orland Township events: Walk & Talk program, and Summer Job Fair
    May 17, 2022
  • Liz Gorman hosts Forum for Republican Candidates May 20. Former Congressman Barry Goldwater Jr., the son of the former presidential candidate and conscience of the Republican Conservative movement, will be a keynote speaker
    Barry Goldwater Jr., son of former GOP Presidential icon, headlines Gorman Republican Forum
    May 16, 2022
  • Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights
    Mother ordered to pay divorcing dad’s attorneys’ fees
    May 10, 2022
  • Closure notice from Mayor Lori Lightfoot for Arab and Muslim owned Citgo Gas Station at at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago.
    Mayor Lightfoot accused of targeting Arab and Muslim stores in gang crackdown
    May 7, 2022
  • Two backpacks full of emergency supplies sit ready for action in John and Chloe Clayborn’s Lincoln Park living room — one “go bag” for each of them.
    Maintaining Calm Amid Chaos: Families Pack ‘Go Bags’ to be Ready for Natural Disasters
    May 6, 2022
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

The Political Pundit

Political Pundit Aug. 24, 2021. Taliban thanks president for boxes of MAGA hats
  • WORD PRESS REVIEWS
  • MyCloud by Western Digital, a hard drive that doesn't last. Don't purchase Western Digital.
    Western Digital tubes its loyal customers for profit
    October 17, 2021
  • Macho Themes website front page. Don't buy their themes. They don't work
    Difficulties with Macho Themes for WordPress
    August 21, 2021
  • TECHNOLOGY REVIEWS
  • Netflix is the best streaming service, despite drop in stock price
    April 20, 2022
  • Book Cover "Laptop from Hell" by Miranda Devince
    Questions remain unanswered about Hunter Biden’s ties to Ukraine
    February 20, 2022
  • Amazon.com's "Day 1" tower in Seattle, WA in January 2017. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Clifford Law to sue Amazon after employee is killed by tornado at downstate distribution center
    January 16, 2022

Follow Ray Hanania at
Gab.com, MeWe.com
IDobbinate.com,
Twitter, Facebook

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

What We’re Reading

Arab News Newspaper Leading English Language Publication in the GulfArab News Newspaper

Ray Hanania on Politics
SW News Newspaper Group

  • SPORTS
  • Chicago Wolves face-off with Toronto Marlies Nov. 13, 2021
    Chicago Wolves sweep AH regular season awards
    May 1, 2022
  • Muhammad Ali Center United Way
    Muhammad Ali Center, Metro United Way partner for Greatest Give Back
    April 29, 2022
  • Chicago Wolves lose to Toronto Marlies in overtime at AllState Arena Nov. 14, 2021
    Chicago Wolves wrap up home schedule in style
    April 29, 2022
  • Chicago Wolves Artyom Serikov courtesy of the Chicago Wolves
    Chicago Wolves break franchise mark for Best Record
    April 25, 2022
  • NEWS RELEASES
  • Orland Township hosts Job Fair
    Orland Township events: Walk & Talk program, and Summer Job Fair
    May 17, 2022
  • Liz Gorman hosts Forum for Republican Candidates May 20. Former Congressman Barry Goldwater Jr., the son of the former presidential candidate and conscience of the Republican Conservative movement, will be a keynote speaker
    Barry Goldwater Jr., son of former GOP Presidential icon, headlines Gorman Republican Forum
    May 16, 2022
  • Two backpacks full of emergency supplies sit ready for action in John and Chloe Clayborn’s Lincoln Park living room — one “go bag” for each of them.
    Maintaining Calm Amid Chaos: Families Pack ‘Go Bags’ to be Ready for Natural Disasters
    May 6, 2022
  • Candidate for Cook County Board President Richard Boykin in the June 28, 2022 Democratic Primary election
    Preckwinkle challenger Richard Boykin unveils 7-point Holistic Public Safety Plan to address the County’s escalating crime rates
    April 21, 2022
  • Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights
    Children rescued from abusive home now safe, Dads’ Rights attorney Leving reports
    April 19, 2022
Two Guys on PoliticsTwo Guys on Politics

John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications
  • BUSINESS NEWS
  • Orland Township hosts Job Fair
    Orland Township events: Walk & Talk program, and Summer Job Fair
    May 17, 2022
  • Closure notice from Mayor Lori Lightfoot for Arab and Muslim owned Citgo Gas Station at at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago.
    Mayor Lightfoot accused of targeting Arab and Muslim stores in gang crackdown
    May 7, 2022
  • John Husnick provides direction at Worth Township Career Fair
    Building Trades Career Fair offers opportunities for students
    April 29, 2022
  • Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights
    Leving to present on dad’s rights legal issues at Horasis Global meeting Friday March 4, 2022
    March 3, 2022
Click this link to watch or use the widget below:

Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.
Email Ray Hanania for more information about performing at your event at rghanania@gmail.com.

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme