Community Reminded of Rules Regarding Use of City Parking Lots and Open Containers
As the State of Illinois moves into Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois Plan, the City of Champaign anticipates welcoming more people to Downtown Champaign. The City wants all Downtown visitors to have an enjoyable experience, but to do so in a safe manner. In order to promote the use of City parking lots for parking activities only, and to discourage certain unlawful activities including the public consumption of alcohol, two City parking lots will be closed during late night/early morning hours on weekends.
Beginning Friday, June 11, 2021, motor vehicles will not be allowed entry into the City parking lots at Neil & Washington and Walnut & Washington after 9:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. Motorists can continue to park in either lot until 9:00 p.m. and retrieve their vehicles before 2:30 a.m., after which time both parking lots will be locked. Drivers who leave their vehicles in either parking lot after 2:30 a.m. can retrieve their cars after the lot reopens at 7:00 a.m. Downtown visitors who need more flexible parking arrangements are encouraged to use the City’s Hill Street Parking Deck located at 123 W. Hill Street.
The City also reminds Downtown visitors of the lawful use of City-owned parking lots as outlined in Section 33-73(c) of the Champaign City Code, as well as City Ordinances related to open containers of 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, or possess 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 containers of 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.
To review the full text of all City of Champaign Ordinances, please visit the City’s website at champaignil.gov/CityCode.