News and Current Events
-
Fall 2025 Annual Parking Permit Sales Dates
Annual parking permit sales will begin at 9:00 am on each date listed on the schedule below. Permits can be purchased online on the parking permit portal. Drivers must sign in with Central Login to purchase an annual permit on the portal. University faculty and staff who wish to participate in payroll deduction must purchase their permit online.
· Faculty/Staff, Doctoral, Graduate Assistant, Retiree - July 7, 2025
· Commuter Student, Student Apartment, Cardinal Court - July 14, 2025
· Returning Residence Hall Student - July 21, 2025
· First Year Residence Hall Student - July 28, 2025
Over the counter sales will not be conducted until July 29, 2025. U-High/Metcalf permit sales will coincide with school registration dates.
Student Storage permits are valid from August 1 to May 15 annually. All other permits are valid from August 1 to July 31 annually.
Important information for the 2025-2026 school year:
The online parking portal has been updated. Instructions for using the new portal will be available on the parking website prior to permit sales.
Parking and Transportation uses license plate recognition (LPR) to enforce permit requirements. Most individuals will not be issued a physical permit. Instead, a virtual parking permit will be assigned to the license plate entered at the time of purchase. It is extremely important to correctly enter the license plate information when purchasing your permit. Please review the license plate entry requirements. Students will be limited to one license plate/vehicle to assign to their permit. Faculty and staff may enter more than one license plate/vehicle to assign to their permit. Vehicle changes must be reported to the parking office prior to parking on campus. When parking in university lots, license plates must be properly affixed and facing the drive lane.
The following permits will still require a physical permit to be displayed: Reserved Space, Laboratory School, Departmental Business, Guest, Board of Trustees and Motorcycle. Permit pickup will begin July 29, 2025.
-
Rules and Regulations Brochure
A copy of the 2025 - 2026 Parking Rules and Regulations brochure can be downloaded here. Parking regulations are enforced year-round, including summers and semester breaks.
To download the campus parking lot map click here.
-
Meter Malfunctions
Are you having difficulty making a payment at a metered space?
Drivers can pay our smart meters with coins, credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Meters also allow payment by phone with the Park Smarter app and Text-to-Pay.
Do not park at an inoperable meter. Drivers experiencing technical difficulties are asked to choose a different payment method. Metered spaces must be paid before leaving the vehicle parked.
Meter, pay station or mobile app malfunctions must be reported at the time they occur, or the vehicle is in violation and subject to citation. Call our office at (309) 438-8391 to report an inoperable meter. After business hours, please leave a voice message.
-
New Smart Meters at Illinois State University
New smart meters were installed on campus fall 2025. When you are visiting housing, dining, and other locations on campus, you now have more payment options at the meters!
Smart meters can be found in all campus metered locations. These meters accept coins, credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay with the option of contactless payment. To pay at the meter, drivers will insert coins, card, or select contactless payment, select the amount of time, confirm their payment, and watch the display for authorization.
Drivers also have the option to pay by phone with the Park Smarter app. The Park Smarter app allows contactless payment by parking space. Please note, campus meters will no longer accept payments from the Passport Parking app. Those wishing to pay by app will need to download Park Smarter. The pay by space lot at the South University Garage also accepts payment with the Park Smarter app and at the two kiosks located in the stairways. Spaces must be paid before leaving the vehicle parked.
Campus parking meters are intended for short-term parking and all meters have time limits to ensure space availability. Metered spaces must be paid at all times. Drivers needing daily or annual parking can purchase a parking permit from the Office of Parking and Transportation.
How to Use the M5 Meter Video -
You're Invited!
Join the Parking Announcements Listserv. We would like to keep you informed of happenings on campus that may affect campus parking space availability. Illinois State University regularly hosts major statewide athletic tournaments, conventions, concerts and other events on campus. The Office of Parking and Transportation will attempt to notify the campus community of upcoming events that may impact parking and any parking lot closures that may occur. Sign up here.