Community Reminded of Regulations Regarding Use of City Parking Lots and Open Containers
In order to enhance public safety, and in response to the shooting incident that occurred Friday night as well as recent instances where a large number of individuals have engaged in social gatherings in Downtown parking lots during the late night/early morning hours, the City is announcing that the City-owned parking lots at Neil & Washington and Walnut & Washington will be closing at 9:00 PM Saturday and Sunday (August 8-9, 2020). Motorists parking in these lots before 9:00 PM can leave their vehicles in the lot until midnight, at which time both parking lots will be locked and vehicles cannot be removed by their owners until 7:00 AM. Drivers needing to park downtown past midnight are encouraged to use the Hill Street Parking Deck (123 W. Hill St.).
The City also wants to remind is residents and visitors of the appropriate use of City-owned parking lots as outlined in Section 33-73(c) of Champaign City Code, as well as City Ordinances related to open alcohol:
- While in a City-owned parking lot, individuals cannot engage in any activity not directly associated with the parking of or retrieval of vehicles, including but not limited to the consumption of alcohol, gambling, or the sale of merchandise or services.
- Individuals cannot transport, carry, possess, or have alcoholic liquor within the driver or passenger area of any motor vehicle unless it remains sealed in its original packaging.
- Individuals cannot carry open containers of alcoholic liquor out of any establishment licensed to sell alcohol.
- Activities such as standing in the roadway, loitering on sidewalks, carrying open alcohol, and consuming alcohol in parking lots or public roadways are violations of City Ordinances and can result in a City citation with a minimum fine of $205 per violation.
The City reminds the public that under Governor Pritzker’s Emergency Order, Champaign County is currently in Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan. Under Phase 4, gatherings of more than 50 people are prohibited.
To review the full text of all City of Champaign Ordinances, please visit the City’s website at champaignil.gov/CityCode.