Their programs and services are designed to assist foster families, unify siblings, and guide adolescent parents and teenagers as they transition to independent lifestyles. SOS has two villages in Illinois, one in suburban Lockport and the other in the Auburn-Gresham community on Chicago’s South Side. These villages are designed to offer a stable home, full-time foster parents and a community for siblings to live together. For more information on SOS, visit here.

SOS Villages Illinois Executive Director, Tim McCormick addresses the guests.

Chicago Youth Centers Receives $10,000 Donation

Chicago Parking Meters, LLC (CPM) launched its new philanthropy program, "CPM Community Partners” with a donation of $10,000 to Chicago Youth Centers (CYC).  CPM and its operating partner, LAZ Parking, plan to serve Chicago’s communities by investing both time and dollars in youth-focused organizations across the City of Chicago.

"The future of Chicago rests in the hands of its youngest residents.  That’s why we are directing our efforts toward quality programs that enhance youth development,” said Dennis Pedrelli, CEO of CPM, the long-term leaseholder for Chicago’s on-street parking meters.  “CYC has an impressive track record of working with at-risk youth. That made them the ideal recipient for our first donation.”

A portion of the donated funds will support the operations of CYC’s Elliot Donnelly Youth Center (EDYC), located in Chicago’s historic Bronzeville community.  EDYC is one of CYC’s eight community-based centers, providing youth programs and services to underserved children who can experience the greatest academic and social growth as a result of their intervention.

“We appreciate CPM stepping up to help us enrich these programs and better serve children who need it the most," CYC President and CEO Harry Wells said of CPM’s donation. “Through our programs ranging from Head Start to teen leadership development, CYC works tirelessly to meet the needs of young people in neighborhoods across Chicago.”

EDYC Director Sequane Lawrence expressed particular enthusiasm for the funds directed towards the center’s digital computer lab, stating that "this donation helps to improve the center's technological infrastructure for youth to learn the latest graphic arts and digital programming." Other notable features of the EDYC facility include a full-size indoor swimming pool, an Art Park recreation area, a running track within Lou Jones Fitness Park and a College & Career Readiness Center.

The donation to CYC signals the official launch of CPM’s new philanthropy program: however, this is not the first time CPM has invested in Chicago’s communities.  During the past year, CPM implemented a pilot initiative, donating mini-grants to youth-focused non-profit organizations throughout Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods.  Additionally, LAZ Parking employees often volunteer to participate in events for charitable organizations.

Chicago Parking Meters (CPM) principals kick off their new philanthropy program with a $10,000 donation to Chicago Youth Centers (CYC), joining CYC officials and 9-12 year-old youth at the Elliot Donnelly Youth Center (EDYC) in Bronzeville for the official launch. (Back: L to R) Sequane Lawrence, EDYC Director; Tony DiPaolo, Regional VP of LAZ Parking; Harry Wells, CYC President/CEO; Dennis Pedrelli, CEO of CPM, and Bill Hansen, CYC VP of Program Operations.

Chicago Youth Centers (CYC) officials lead Chicago Parking Meters (CPM) principals on a tour of the Elliot Donnelly Youth Center (EDYC) in Bronzeville, explaining how the $10,000 donation will enhance CYC’s programs and services. (Front: L to R) Sequane Lawrence, EDYC Director and Ashley Davis, an EDYC College & Career Readiness participant currently attending Northern Illinois University. (Back: L to R) Tony DiPaolo, Regional VP of LAZ Parking; Dennis Pedrelli, CEO of CPM; Bill Hansen, CYC VP of Program Operations and Harry Wells, CYC President/CEO.

Dennis Pedrelli (Center), CEO of Chicago Parking Meters, LLC, presents a check for $500 to faculty and students (L to R): Andrew Figueroa, 7th grade, Student Council Vice-President; Fr. John Sanaghan, Administrator; Sandria Morten, Principal and Christan La Luz, 8^th grade, Student Council President

From Left to Right: Dennis Pedrelli, CEO of Chicago Parking Meters, LLC converses with Sandria Morten, Principal and Fr. John Sanaghan, Administrator

Starting April 1, street cleaning has begun on Chicago streets.

Before completing your Pay Box transaction, please observe street signs for parking restrictions related to street cleaning.

More information on street cleaning is available here.

(L to R)

Latoya Thomas, Therapist & Intake Specialist, Hull House

Michael Glass, VP of Development, Hull House

Marvin Armstrong, Emerge Program Participant

Tony DiPaolo, Regional VP, LAZ Parking

Joyce Viglione, VP of Child Welfare, Hull House

Shemeka Hawkins, Case Manager, Hull House

(L to R)

Coach Wayne Trice

YMCA Executive Director Cherita Ellens

Kevin O’Hara, LAZ Parking

YBA Sports Director Artie McGriff

Sinai Staff and Kids Club Members with Santa (Tony DiPaolo, Regional VP, LAZ Parking) and Elf (Maggie Christiano, LAZ Parking)

(L to R) Kevin O’Hara, LAZ Parking &

Lauren Biedron, Corporate and Foundation Relations Manager, GCFD

(L to R)

Kathy Dickson, Child Life Manager, La Rabida

Tony DiPaolo, Regional VP, LAZ Parking

Michael Cleavenger, VP of Fund Development, La Rabida

Maggie Christiano, LAZ Parking

Dr. Paula Jaudes, CEO, La Rabida

Rates will change as follows:   

• Inside the Loop (Area bounded by Lake Michigan to the East, Wacker Drive to the North and West, and Congress Parkway to the South), rates will be $4.25 per hour.
• In the Central Business District outside the Loop (Area bounded by Lake Michigan to the East, North Avenue to the North, Halsted to the West, and Roosevelt Road to the South, exclusive of the Loop Area) rates will be $2.50 per hour.
• In all other areas of the city, rates will be $1.25 per hour                                

The transition to the new rates will begin on January 4^th, starting with the Loop and moving outward into the neighborhoods.  Weather conditions permitting, the goal is to complete the transition by January 31^st.

Most importantly, as the transition moves forward, motorists should be aware that they are only responsible for paying the posted rate on the meters.  Accordingly, only the posted rates on each meter/pay box will be enforced.

If motorists have any questions or concerns, they can call 877-242-7901 or 312-744-PARK.  To access any information about the parking meter system, they can always consult www.chicagometers.com.

Last week, CPM officials announced several steps taken to improve the parking meter system and add convenience for motorists.  These steps have been implemented as a result of a “listening tour” CPM conducted with neighborhood and business organizations across the city.

"Mayor Daley urged us meet with each community so we could adjust the system to better meet their needs,” said CPM Chief Executive Officer Dennis Pedrelli.  "We listened, we learned and we believe their suggestions have greatly improved the system.”

Some of the new system enhancements that are now in place include:

Portable time: Receipts purchased at pay boxes are good until expiration at any meter with the same or lower hourly rate, and they now are clearly printed with the rate so motorists can easily determine where they can use their receipt.  Given that the vast majority of meters are in the neighborhoods at the same rate, that means people can take payment with them as they visit many different business districts.

Extended periods of stay: CPM has changed pay boxes to provide extended time near theaters, concert halls, schools, hospitals, and other places where parkers require more than a two-hour stay.

Automatic parking ticket dismissal: Information on meter malfunctions is captured in a database and shared with the City of Chicago which has automatically dismissed 92 tickets for inoperable meters since late summer.

Discounted monthly parking in lots: In cooperation with the City, CPM is piloting a program at 11 commuter lots, offering motorists the option of monthly passes at considerable savings. 

Pre-payment: Pay boxes are programmed to offer pre-payment whenever possible.  Motorists parking at 24-hour meters can generally pre-pay until 10:00am unless rush hour restrictions are in place.  At most other meters, motorists can pre-pay as early as 5:00am until 10:00am or later.

Donated bicycle meters: CPM donated thousands of single space meter poles and housings to the City of Chicago, retrofitting them so that bicycle parking is protected. 

24 x 7 Customer service: Motorists can call 877.242.7901 to report a broken meter and repairs are made in less than one business day, usually in just a few hours.