DOWNTOWN PARKING PERMITS
What you need to know:
Downtown Parking Permits are available for purchase by contacting the Parking Programs Office located at 702 Edgebrook Drive between the hours of 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding City Holidays.
You will be asked to submit the following to publicworks@champaignil.gov to purchase a permit:
- Completed Parking Permit Application
- Valid Driver’s License
- Valid, current Vehicle Registration Card for each vehicle that will be on the permit agreement
- Proof of residency, if required
(See each permit type listed below for the requirements and examples of accepted proof of residency.)
You will be contacted by a Customer Service Representative and asked to provide payment through one of these payment methods:
- Cash, Check, Credit or Debit (VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express), or Money Order
All Downtown permits are sold for either six-month or one-year terms. Permits may be returned for a pro-rated refund of the unused portion less a 10 percent administrative fee. Permits are non-transferable. There is a $10 charge for any type of permit replacement (lost, destroyed, stolen, etc.).
Contact the Public Works Department/Parking Programs Office at 217-403-4700 or publicworks@champaignil.gov.
HILL STREET PARKING DECK PARKING OPTIONS:
Located at 123 W. Hill Street (with entrances/exits on Hill and Randolph Streets)
Hill Street Parking Deck Hardware Replacement FAQ’s
How will we pay with cash if the cash booth is no longer staffed?
A major change with the new automated system is that an attendant will no longer be available to collect parking fees. Instead, customers should pay their parking fee at one of two convenient Pay-on-Foot pay stations located in the parking deck. Customers may also continue to use a credit card at the exit gates. Pre-paid options include a Proximity (Prox) Card linked to your credit card or two-hour bar codes that are also available for purchase in groups of 30.
How will we enter/exit the garage with the new system?
All current permit holders, (except level 1 reserved premium) including Prox Card holders (OLLI Members), will be issued a new Prox Card free of charge. The Prox Card will replace your current transponder (GO PASS/AVI/EGO card) and will be used to enter and exit the parking deck in much the same manner.
How does the Prox Card work?
You will need to hold the Prox Card up to the black box on the entry/exit machines. It will beep and let you into the parking deck. You must then use the same Prox Card to leave the parking deck and make sure to press the green “On File” button after scanning your Prox Card. Below are a couple videos demonstrating how to use the hardware.
How will the books stickers be replaced?
The previous stickers will be honored. The balance of tickets/stickers will be transferred to a like number of bar codes also valid for two hours.
When will the access (AVI/EGO) cards for current permit holders be exchanged for a Prox Card?
Prox Cards are available for pick up at the Public Works Parking Programs Office if you are a current GoPass, 24/7 residential, or level 4/5/6 daytime customer. We will not need your old cards.
How much will the new Prox Cards cost?
The new Prox Card will cost $10. You won’t need to pay anything if you already have a card.
If the handicapped spaces on level 1 are not available, will I still be able to park on the 2nd/3rd level?
Yes, you will need to come to the Parking Programs Office and fill out a short form, provide a photo ID, your vehicle registration, and your handicapped placard. You will then be given a bar code that will be used as payment when you exit the parking deck. You will still pull a ticket when you enter the parking deck, but use the bar code as the payment type.
Will businesses still have access for parking validations for patrons?
Yes, businesses will be able to access a portal to print their own and/or email validations to patrons.
Why is the system being replaced?
The current system has become obsolete and needed to be replaced. Numerous outages caused the gates to not function. The new system will be faster, have more self-help features, reduce the traffic congestion, and will be more customer service friendly. The data is stored securely in the cloud which reduces the chances of downtime.
What if the gate doesn’t open for me?
If for any reason, a parker cannot get of the parking deck, press the “Call for Assistance” button on the exit gate. The equipment will then call a phone tree and connect the person to a staff phone. Once connected, staff can determine what the issue is preventing the parker from getting out. If it cannot be resolved, staff enters a code into the phone, which raises the gate, allowing the parker egress.
Videos of the system in action
- Entry Using a Prox Card
- Entry Taking a Ticket
- Pay-on-Foot Ticket with Credit Card Payment
- Exit Using a Prox Card
- Exit Ticket with Credit Card Payment
Proximity “Prox” Card
The Prox Card makes parking in the Hill Street Parking Deck fast, easy, and convenient for people who visit Downtown often.
- Step 1: Purchase a Prox Card at the Parking Programs Office located at 702 Edgebrook Drive, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Set up a credit card account at the office.
- Step 2: Enter the deck. Scan your Prox Card in front of the black box entry machine. The gates will raise after reading your card; there is no need to take a ticket. The Prox Card works at all entrance and exit lanes. Prox Card customers can park on Levels 1 – 3.
- Step 3: Exit the deck. As with entry, scan your Prox Card in front of the black box. Press the green “On File” button to pay with the credit card on file. The time parked in the deck will be automatically calculated and the fee charged directly to your credit card on file. The gates will then open.
Maps of Levels 4, 5, and 6 are available on the Parking Maps page.
- Available only to residents of Downtown Champaign.
- Proof of residency required upon purchase (for example: copy of lease agreement, property tax bill, or utility bill).
- Assigned spaces on levels 4, 5, and 6 of the deck are reserved 24/7 for use by the permit holder.
Maps of Levels 4, 5, and 6 are available on the Parking Maps page.
- Assigned 24/7 spaces on the ground floor of the deck. A map of Level 1 of the deck is available on the Parking Maps page.
- There is no residency requirement for these permits.
DOWNTOWN PARKING LOT PERMITS
Permit parking is available in the following off-street locations Downtown. View the getDown brochure map on the Parking Maps page to see the locations for all Downtown parking lots.
Click on the lot name below for the information regarding the type and number of permits in that location. Maps detailing the configuration of each lot are located on the Parking Maps page.
Location
214 W. Clark Street, Champaign, IL 61820 
(North of Clark Street, between Randolph and State Streets)
Size of Lot
78 Spaces.
See a map of the lot on the Parking Maps page.
Type of Parking
Unassigned Daytime Permit. Permits are valid 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Public parking is allowed outside of permit parking hours.
Rates
6-Month Permit Rate: $180; Annual Permit Rate: $342
Location
401 N. Neil Street, Champaign, IL 61820
The property located at 401 North Neil Street (formerly the Hill and Neil parking lot) is no longer owned by the City and was closed to the public on October 26, 2017. Please refer to Council Bill No. 2018-069 for details.
Location
115 S. Market Street, Champaign, IL 61820 
(Southeast corner of Logan & Market Streets)
Size of Lot
90 Spaces.
See a map of the lot on the Parking Maps page.
Type of Parking
- Unassigned Daytime Permit. Permits are valid 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- Public parking is allowed outside of permit parking hours.
Rates
6-Month Permit Rate: $180; Annual Permit Rate: $342
Location
47 East Main Street, Champaign, IL 61820 
(North side of Main Street, between Market and Walnut Streets)
Size of Lot
26 Spaces.
- Handicap Spaces: 2
- Metered Spaces (Two-Hour Maximum): 19
- Permit Spaces (Unassigned Daytime): 5
Rates
- Unassigned Daytime Permits: 6-Month Rate: $180; Annual Rate: $342. Permits are valid 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday
- Metered Parking Rate: $0.50/Hour, with payment required from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday
Location
201 N. First Street, Champaign, IL 61820 
(West side of First Street, between University Avenue and Washington Street; next to the Champaign Police Station).
Convenient access to Downtown via the Main Street Viaduct at the southwest corner of the Lot.
Size of Lot
173 Spaces.
- Handicap Spaces: 4
- 10-Hour Meters: 43
- 60-Minute Time Limit Spaces: 6
- Unassigned Daytime Permit Spaces: 61
- Reserved for Police Department Employees: 57
- Reserved for Police Department Use: 2
Rates
- Unassigned Daytime Permits: 6-Month Rate: $120; Annual Rate: $228
- Metered Spaces: $0.25/Hour
Location
45 E. Washington Street, Champaign, IL 61820 
(Corner of Walnut & Washington Streets)
Size of Lot:
207 Spaces.
- Handicap Spaces: 7
- Assigned Permit Spaces (Valid 24/7): 1
- North End Permit Spaces (Unassigned Daytime): 93
- South End Permit Spaces (Unassigned Daytime): 90
Rates
- Assigned Permits: 6-Month Rate: $450; Annual Rate: $855
- North End Unassigned Daytime Permits: 6-Month Rate: $240; Annual Rate: $456
- South End Unassigned Daytime Permits: 6-Month Rate: $300; Annual Rate: $570
Location
45 E. Washington Street, Champaign, IL 61820
(Corner of Walnut & Washington Streets)
Size of Lot:
207 Spaces
- Handicap Spaces: 7
- Assigned Permit Spaces (Valid 24/7): 1
- North End Permit Spaces (Unassigned Daytime): 93
- South End Permit Spaces (Unassigned Daytime): 90
Rates
- Assigned Permits: 6-Month Rate: $450; Annual Rate: $855
- North End Unassigned Daytime Permits: 6-Month Rate: $240; Annual Rate: $456
- South End Unassigned Daytime Permits: 6-Month Rate: $300; Annual Rate: $570
Please contact our office to inquire about space availability at 217-403-4700. Please note that there is a $10 charge for any type of permit replacement (lost, destroyed, stolen, etc.).
ON-STREET METER PERMITS
On-street meter permit holders are allowed to park at any available metered space within the designated locations. Permit holders are exempt from meter time limit and payment requirements when the permit is properly displayed.
All on-street meter permits are valid 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays.
Please note that there is a $10 charge for any type of permit replacement (lost, destroyed, stolen, etc.).
HICKORY STREET RESIDENTIAL PERMITS
These spaces are located on the 500 block of Hickory Street (between Washington Street and Columbia Avenue) in Downtown Champaign. All Hickory Street Residential Permits are reserved for the permit holder 24/7.
- Available only to residents of Downtown Champaign.
- Proof of residency required upon purchase (for example: copy of residential lease agreement, property tax bill, or utility bill).
- These permits are not available for business owners in the Downtown district.
Permits are sold in pro-rated 6-month or 1-year terms:
- The 6-month permits are sold for the periods of January 1 – June 30 and July 1 – December 31 at a rate of $390 every six months.
- The 12-month permits are sold for the period of January 1 – December 31 at a rate of $741 annually.
EAST PARK STREET RESIDENTIAL PERMIT PARKING
The purpose of this residential permit parking program is to ease congestion on the streets in the East Park Street Area so parking is available for residents and visitors. Only vehicles displaying a valid permit may park on the street in the East Park Street Area between 3 a.m. and 10 a.m., Monday through Friday. Residents are eligible to receive a permit to be displayed on the driver’s side rear bumper. There is no fee for a residential permit, but there is a $10.00 fee for replacement of a lost or stolen permit.
Map of Area (click to enlarge)
The East Park Street Area includes all properties within the following boundaries:
- East of First Street
- South of Washington Street
- West of Wright Street
- North of the alley one-half block north of University Avenue (except for the 100 and 200 blocks of East Park Street)
Permits are issued from 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the Parking Programs Office. The following information is needed to obtain a permit and may be submitted in person or by mail to 702 Edgebrook Drive, Champaign, IL 61820:
- Valid Driver’s License
- Completed application
- Copy of the vehicle registration card for each vehicle being issued a permit
- Proof of residency – which may include:
- Vehicle registration that shows an address within the permit area
- Property tax bill (for property owners)
- Current lease agreement (for renters)
- Utility bill
Property Owners: Once every three years.
Renters: Annually
Every household will be issued six visitor permits annually which can be used for a maximum of one week each. All fields on visitor permits must be filled out in indelible ink prior to use.
Improper use and/or display of visitor permits may be ticketed and/or towed.
Contact the Parking Programs Office at least a week in advance if you need additional permits or if you need a visitor permit valid for longer than seven days.
The City may issue a waiver of the parking restriction for special events. Contact the Parking Programs Office at least two days prior to the event.
Service Vehicles: Marked service vehicles may park in the permit area without displaying a permit for a period of time sufficient to perform service for a resident or property owner.