2 Investigators

CHICAGO (CBS) ― Are you mad about the parking situation in Chicago? Well, here's something that may really get your blood boiling.

Chicago police officers in a special detail unit called "The Wolf Pack" are supposed to serve and protect by patrolling high crime areas. But CBS 2 Investigator Pam Zekman found them helping people with clout and connections get prime parking spots at special events. For at least part of their day, these officers serve and park.

Getting to the game can be a pain and parking can be very expensive.

But CBS 2 found VIPs with clout get to park for free in no parking zones right under the watchful eyes of Chicago police officers. What's more: police officers and firemen can take advantage of the free parking simply by flashing a badge.

"I don't think it's right," a Cubs fan said. "If they should be able to park free, then we should be able to park free as well."

How do the VIPs do it? One way is to call a secret number that rings at the special detail unit. Mention the right name and you get on a special parking list.

The 2 Investigators obtained some of these lists. Among the privileged parkers at games and concerts: businessmen, contractors, police officials and others with clout - like Chicago aldermen.

Alderman Ray Suarez, for one, says he's taken advantage of what he called "courtesy parking" several times. CBS 2 hidden cameras captured this practice at the United Center before a recent Blackhawks game.

Those on the VIP list park on Honore Street after the cop on duty checks his list.

Edward McElroy, a longtime friend of the Daley family and public relations consultant, is a frequent VIP parker.

At U.S. Cellular Field, the VIPs included state senator Kimberly Lightford. She and her friend parked right under a "No Parking" sign.

"How do you get on that VIP list? We'd like to have that," a Cubs fan said.

This Cubs fan was one of many we talked to at Wrigley Field after watching one VIP after another conveniently park in the no parking zones for free right across from the park.

At one point there were two officers and a sergeant helping them park. When one space is filled, the sergeant puts down cones to save a place for the next VIP. Minutes later, an SUV pulls up and a cop moves the cones to let him in.

Out comes Joe Kotlarz, the former alderman and state representative, who served three months in prison for stealing tollway funds in the '90s. But apparently he's still got clout.

CBS 2 Investigator Pam Zekman confronted the sergeant, and said, "I don't understand why they have you helping people park illegally."

"You'll have to talk to a supervisor," the sergeant said.

So we talked to his sergeant.

Zekman: "It's my understanding that people are allowed to park here if they have connections and they are on a VIP list. Can you respond to that?

Sergeant: "No comment."

Those with privileged parking spots weren't anxious to talk either, like Ken Hauser, vice president of the Chicago Police Pension Board.

When asked how he got the special parking spot, Hauser slammed his car door. Later he told CBS 2 he didn't know about the VIP list and just parked in an open space.

As for Joe Kotlarz?

Zekman: "How did you get this parking spot? Can you tell me?"

Kotlarz: "I just pulled up."

Zekman: "Is it because you have connections?"

Kotlarz closed his car door after that question.

Sources in the Chicago police department say special parking for VIPs has stopped, and a commander said he's begun an investigation into our findings.

The department is claiming that parking spaces at sports venues were reserved only for police and fire department command staff in case they needed to leave quickly because of an official emergency.

They said the existence of any VIP parking list was strictly unofficial.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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