The City of Joliet is introducing a new program offering residents, visitors and local business patrons two hours of free parking in the downtown area.
In mid-June, the Joliet City Council amended an ordinance to allow free street parking with the goal of improving accessibility and convenience in the downtown district.
Under the updated ordinance, three parking zones will be available between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on weekdays, where drivers can park for up to two hours.
Greg Ruddy, Director of Public Works, proposed the changes and is overseeing their implementation. “This change will make downtown parking more affordable and accessible, while also helping to increase availability and reduce congestion,” said Ruddy.
The new program has several key provisions:
- Two-Hour Parking Limit: Effective Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., in Zones A, B and C. Signage has been installed identifying parking zones and restrictions.
- Re-parking Prohibited: Re-parking within the same zone is not permitted between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
- Exclusion of Early Morning Parking: Parking restrictions will continue between 3:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. for street cleaning on designated streets, including Jefferson Street (between Joliet Street and Mayor Art Schultz Drive), Cass Street (between Joliet Street and Eastern Avenue), and Chicago Street (between Washington Street and Jackson Street).
- Exemptions: The parking restrictions will not apply on holidays and weekends.
- Effective Date: The program takes effect on September 1, 2025.
Enforcement will be handled using a vehicle equipped with License Plate Reader (LPR) cameras to monitor parking duration and location. Public Enforcement Officers (PEOs) will issue $30 fines to vehicles found in violation. The LPR technology allows existing staff to cover a larger area more efficiently without the need for additional personnel.
