equipment malfunctionUnited States · Chicago, ILDifficulty: Easy
Inoperable / Malfunctioning Parking Meter or Pay Box
Chicago Municipal Code §9-100-060(a)(4) provides a defense when 'the relevant parking meter was inoperable or malfunctioned through no fault of the respondent.' Includes pay box rejecting credit cards, broken card readers, jammed coin slots, ParkChicago app errors, server outages. CBS 2 data: drivers WIN 71% of expired meter contests — the highest dismissal rate of any contested category in Chicago.
Legal basis
Chicago Municipal Code §9-100-060(a)(4); §9-64-190
Sample appeal wording
TO: City of Chicago, Department of Administrative Hearings RE: Violation [TICKET_NUMBER] (Expired Meter — §9-64-190) I request dismissal under §9-100-060(a)(4). On [VIOLATION_DATE] at [TIME], I attempted to pay at meter/pay box #[METER_ID] on [STREET]. The [meter / pay box / ParkChicago app] [malfunction description]. I [tried second meter / called 311, Service Request #[NUMBER]]. Malfunction was through no fault of mine. Evidence: (1) photograph; (2) credit card decline; (3) ParkChicago screenshot; (4) 311 SR; (5) bank statement showing no successful transaction. Signed, [FULL_NAME] Date: [DATE]
Replace [PARKING DATE], [NtK DATE] etc. with your own dates before sending.
Beat It writes this argument automatically
Scan your PCN — our AI checks if this ground applies to your specific ticket, drafts a properly-cited appeal letter, and submits it to the council on your behalf. Only pay if you win.
Scan my ticketSources
- Chicago Municipal Code §9-100-060(a)(4)
- Chicago Municipal Code §9-64-190
- CBS 2 Investigation: 71% win rate on expired meter contests