Chicago considers parking garage rules

CHICAGO, March 12 (UPI) -- A Chicago alderwoman is pushing an ordinance that would make parking attendants responsible for damage done to vehicles while the owners are away.

Alderwoman Freddrenna Lyle of the city's South Side 6th Ward said she and her constituents have been plagued by dings on their vehicles that were not there when they handed their keys to attendants at city parking lots and garages, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Friday.

"You come out with dings that you didn't have when you came in, and they didn't see the ding so there's no responsibility on their part," Lyle said. "We just want to make it a little bit more consumer friendly, and maybe they'll take a little better care of peoples' personal vehicles that cost upwards of $30,000 and $40,000 and $50,000."

Lyle said the ordinance she introduced during Wednesday's City Council meeting would require operators of non-self-park garages and lots to make note of any damage to vehicles "in the presence" of the owner prior to parking.

"Such written notice shall be signed by the ... operator and vehicle owner or operator and identify the location and extent of damage," the proposed ordinance states.

The ordinance says failure to note damage "shall be deemed to be a prima facie case in any civil action that the motor vehicle damage occurred after the owner or operator left the motor vehicle in the hands of the parking lot or garage operator."