Chicago mayor hopefuls support spot-saving

CHICAGO, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- The majority of Chicago's mayoral candidates said they support allowing motorists to save -- or call "dibs" on -- parking spots they've shoveled.

Gery Chico, former head of the School Board, said he is "pro-dibs" despite living in a condo because he remembers spending time shoveling out his own parking space at his old home, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Wednesday.

"It's a civil way to allocate parking and it's been going on for 100 years in Chicago," Chico said.

The sentiment was shared by City Clerk Miguel del Valle and a spokesman for Rahm Emanuel.

Former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun indicated she wanted to research the subject more thoroughly.

"That's an important question because some of our volunteers are helping seniors dig out of the snow," she said.

William "Dock" Walls was the only candidate to speak out against spot-saving, which usually involves lawn chairs or other items placed in the shoveled spots.

"It clutters the street and it creates conflict. It inhibits our ability to clear the streets when we get to the side streets," he said.