Local News

Alderman Wants Fees Refunded For Bucktown 5K Tows

CHICAGO (STNG) ― A rookie Chicago alderman is trying to get 127 people whose cars were towed during a neighborhood fun run off the hook for towing fees.

In a letter sent to Chicago's chief administrative law officer, Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd) blames a "communication breakdown" between the Bucktown 5K's organizer, those living on the race route and the city. The letter asks that those affected Sunday be reimbursed.

But event organizer John Corrigan said the only communications breakdown was from residents not reading the leaflets he insists they received and the no-parking signs he insists were posted.

Numerous residents along the route said they learned of the race when they heard their cars being towed or saw runners streaming by.

"I don't know why people would park if there's a no-parking sign there," Corrigan said.

Asked about an inaccurate race map posted on the Bucktown 5K Web site, he said no one would have bothered to check the map to see if they should move their car.

"My experience is that people don't read things and people don't look at Web sites," he said. "The map is on the Web site to give runners an idea of where the start is."

The city towed 41 cars for each mile of the race. Parking was legal on some sections, Corrigan said.

Patricia Jackowiak, first deputy of administrative hearings, said despite Waguespack's letter, those towed still need to appeal their cases individually before an administrative hearing officer.

(Source: Sun-Times News Group Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2008. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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