Parking Overview

Rules and regulations apply to all vehicles. A vehicle is defined as an automobile, truck, van, bus, trailer, motor bike, moped, motor scooter or motorcycle. A vehicle must be operable to remain parked on campus. Inoperable vehicles must be repaired or removed from campus. All vehicles occupying university parking facilities must display a valid vehicle registration. All vehicles must park with their license plate properly affixed and facing the drive lane.

All vehicles occupying University parking facilities must be registered to an active virtual parking permit, display a valid parking permit, or utilize paid metered spaces or visitor pay lots. Metered spaces must be paid at all times. Press passes, handwritten notes, or typed notes will NOT be honored for parking in university facilities. The responsibility of finding a legal space rests with the vehicle operator. Lack of space in a parking area is not a valid excuse for violation of a regulation.

Where parking spaces are outlined, or parking chocks provided, occupants must observe the confines of each space. Only one vehicle is allowed per space. Yellow curbs indicate no parking. Yellow pavement markings indicate end of rows and no parking areas. Parking is not allowed in drive lanes, roadways, or on sidewalks, walking paths, or other pedestrian areas. Drivers of oversized vehicles or trailers that do not fit within the confines of a parking space must contact the parking office to make parking arrangements.

Leaving a vehicle unattended in a fire lane is not allowed at any time for any reason.

Parking in an ADA space without the proper parking placard is not allowed at any time for any reason. The striped area attached to the ADA space is part of the ADA space.

During snow season, in areas where lots are closed from 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m., this rule will be strictly enforced to facilitate snow removal.

Parking and Transportation reserves the right to restrict or re-designate spaces or lots at any time depending on demand and other factors and may control any or all lots for special events. Please pay careful attention to campus signage. Approval from the Office of Parking and Transportation is required for any special event that will necessitate the disruption or rerouting of vehicular traffic flow.

Only the Office of Parking and Transportation is authorized to allow parking outside of the stated rules and regulations. Do not accept parking advice from any other entity. In doing so, you risk receiving a citation. In the case of a declared campus emergency (declared by the University), the Illinois State University police department is authorized to suspend parking rules and regulations.

When vehicles on campus are observed in violation of any of the rules or regulations, the owner and/or driver will be held responsible. If a permit is displayed in the vehicle at the time of violation, the permit registrant may be held responsible.

Permits are the property of the Office of Parking and Transportation. Ownership is not transferable by any other entity. Permits are for the exclusive use of the registrant. Permits may not be sold, exchanged, given away, or purchased from any person or entity but the Office of Parking and Transportation. Permits may not be reproduced or altered in any way. The permit registrant is responsible for any violations issued while their permit is displayed in the vehicle. The Office of Parking and Transportation reserves the right to revoke parking privileges for any violations.

All vehicles occupying University parking facilities, other than those utilizing paid metered spaces or visitor pay lots, must be registered to an active virtual parking permit or properly display a valid and appropriate physical parking permit during the posted hours. Permit holders are responsible for knowing when and where the permit is valid. Permit holders should review their parking permit allowances and contact the parking office with any questions. Failure to adhere to the permit allowances will result in a citation.

Permit holders (virtual or physical) must park according to the allowances provided by their permit. Except in student storage/apartment lots and reserved spaces/reserved zones, the purchase of a permit does not guarantee parking in a specific lot. Lack of available parking in any given area does not authorize the user to violate parking rules and regulations by parking in an area where their permit is not valid. Permit requirements are enforced regardless of whether or not there are unused spaces at the time a violation is committed.

The Office of Parking and Transportation reserves the right to change parking areas depending on demand and other factors. The Office of Parking and Transportation may control any and all lots for special events.

Physical permits must be hung from the rear-view mirror of the vehicle to be considered properly displayed. Permits must be clearly visible through the windshield and not covered by any other material or object. The Office of Parking and Transportation recommends that hanging permits be removed from the rearview mirror before the vehicle is put in motion. Motorcycle/moped permits must be displayed at the rear of the vehicle in such a way that they are clearly visible.

All vehicles occupying university parking facilities must display a valid vehicle registration. All vehicles must park with their license plate properly affixed and facing the drive lane. The permit holder is responsible for notifying the Office of Parking and Transportation with any changes in vehicle or license plate. A permit displayed on a vehicle not having current license plates will not be honored.

The parking permit you purchase allows you to park one vehicle in one space. Drivers of oversized vehicles or trailers must contact the parking office to make arrangements. Additional fees may apply. 

Parking for visitors to the Alumni Center is provided at no charge. Employees of the Alumni Center are required to purchase a faculty/staff permit to park in the lot and must park in area designated as faculty/staff parking located in the southwest corner of the lot near the building.

Illinois State is using LPR to enforce the majority of our permits and metered parking spaces. Instead of a physical permit, drivers will be issued a virtual permit that is tied to the license plate. Students are limited to one license plate per permit. Faculty and staff may register more than one license plate. All vehicles must park with their license plate properly affixed and facing the drive lane.

Because permits are linked to your license plate, it is extremely important that the license plate is entered correctly and selected during the permit election process. The permit holder is responsible for notifying the Office of Parking and Transportation with any changes in vehicle or license plate. Updates can be reported by an online form on the parking and transportation website. For more details, visit the License Plate Recognition page.

Students are eligible to purchase a parking permit appropriate for their housing status. Students changing housing from residence halls, university apartments or off-campus housing should contact the parking office to verify their parking permit eligibility. Permits assigned to students who do not meet residency requirements will be revoked. Permits returned during the school year may qualify for a refund according to the parking permit refund schedule.

Individuals who terminate their employment with the University become ineligible for employee parking and must return their employee parking permit to our office. Virtual parking permissions will be revoked upon termination of employment. Physical parking permits assigned to terminated employees will be revoked, and if found on campus, the vehicle will be subject to citation and immediate tow.

Employees on a leave of absence who selected payroll deduction must continue to pay for their permits during their leave. Permits will be revoked due to insufficient payroll.

Retirees must return their employee permit and may elect the virtual retiree permit (if eligible). When you retire, your faculty staff permit will be revoked, and if found on campus, the vehicle will be subject to tow.

Lost permits must be reported to the Office of Parking and Transportation immediately and can be replaced for $12. Stolen permits must be reported to the University Police Department. Upon completion of a police report, the permit will be replaced at no charge. Any vehicle displaying a permit that has been reported lost, stolen, or revoked will be issued a parking citation and will be subject to immediate tow.

Hourly visitor parking is available at the Bone Student Center paylot, South University Garage metered paylot and parking meters throughout campus. Overnight parking is not allowed in the Bone Student Center paylot. The lot is closed from 4 a.m. – 6 a.m.

Metered spaces must be paid at all times. Meters are enforced 24 hours per day/7 days per week. All metered areas require payment before leaving the vehicle parked. Smart meters accept coins, credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay with the option of contactless payment. Drivers also have the option to pay by phone using the Park Smarter app. Pay careful attention to signs posted at metered spaces. Parking meters contain time limits that are strictly enforced at all times. Vehicles parked at an expired meter for an extended duration may accumulate multiple citations.

At the South University Street parking garage, visitor parking is available on the first floor paylot on a pre-pay basis. Parking can be paid at pay stations located in the garage or on the Park Smarter application. You must pre-pay just as you would at a meter. Meter fees are not refundable.

 Meter, pay station or pay by phone application malfunctions must be reported at the time they occur, or the vehicle is in violation and subject to citation. Please be prepared to use an alternative payment method and call the parking office for technical assistance. Contact the parking office at (309) 438-8391 and if after business hours, leave a voice message. Vehicles must be removed from inoperable meters within one hour. 

Faculty/staff (red) and student commuter (green) surface lots allow open parking Monday through Thursday beginning at 7 p.m. and ending at 4 a.m. the following day. This does NOT include hourly parking in the pay lot, metered parking, or reserved areas. A valid permit is required in these lots Monday through Friday 4 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Beginning at 7 p.m. Friday and until 4 a.m. Monday, open parking is allowed in the red and green surface lots on campus unless otherwise posted. This does NOT include hourly parking in the pay lot, metered parking, or reserved areas.

ADA parking spaces are available across campus for individuals who display both their campus parking permit (visitor or annual) and their State issued ADA parking placard or ADA license plate. 

Faculty, staff, and students using an ADA permit on campus are required to register their ADA permit with the Office of Parking and Transportation and display a campus parking permit while parked or have a virtual parking permit on file. ADA permits may be displayed from the rearview mirror or on the dashboard of the vehicle. Physical campus parking permits must be displayed from the rearview mirror of the vehicle.

Students needing temporary parking arrangements due to a medical condition must contact Student Access and Accommodations Services. Student Access and Accommodation Services cannot and does not issue ADA accessible permits but may be able to assist in other ways. Faculty and staff needing a temporary arrangement must contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access.

Accessible parking for guests with ADA permits is available throughout university parking lots. Visitors to campus must secure a daily permit to park in campus lots or may utilize metered areas or hourly pay lots for short-term parking. Note that meters must be paid unless the “meter exempt” ADA permit is displayed. Vehicles must display their state-issued ADA permit/plates and their campus visitor permit. During special events, guests will be required to pay the special event fee to park.

ADA accessible parking permit usage is restricted to the permit holder or to the individual transporting the permit holder. Misuse of an ADA parking permit will result in a university fine. Individuals who allow someone to misuse their ADA permit may be reported to the Illinois Secretary of State which could result in the revocation of the ADA parking permit.

ADA spaces on campus are strictly enforced. The striped areas adjacent to the space are part of the accessible space. No vehicle staging is allowed in an ADA space unless the ADA permit is displayed. Lack of available parking spaces does not allow an individual to park in an ADA accessible space without the state-issued ADA permit. Monetary penalty amounts for violations are determined by the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office

• Service vehicle spaces are designated for university vehicles displaying “U” license plates only, or by special permission from the Office of Parking and Transportation.
• Business Permit spaces allow 2-hour parking for vehicles displaying a valid business permit. Time limits are strictly enforced. The business permit is not intended to take the place of an employee permit. When used by an employee of the University, an additional employee permit must be on file (virtual or physical permit).
• Loading zone spaces are for loading and unloading only and will be limited to 30 minutes. Time limits are strictly enforced. 
• Parking is strictly prohibited in in fire lanes, within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, or within an emergency lane or space.

Vehicles parked in violation of these parking restrictions may be subject immediate tow at the owner’s or driver’s expense. Vehicles parked in violation for an extended duration may accumulate multiple citations.

Electric vehicle charging stations are available in some campus locations. Only electric vehicles are authorized to use charging station parking spaces. Drivers must abide by time limits, permit and payment requirements in those spaces. 

Vehicle charging is available at designated charging locations only. Vehicles found charging from unauthorized outlets, i.e. exterior building outlets, will be disconnected and may be cited.

Permit holders should be aware that in areas where lots are closed from 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m., this policy will be strictly enforced for snow removal. Some areas on campus are posted specifically for snow removal during certain times of the year. Please pay close attention to signage.

Motorcycles, bicycles, roller blades, and skateboards are prohibited in the parking garages.

Users must obey all posted signage within the garage including clearances, speed limits, stop signs, and one-way directional signage. Speed limits must be strictly obeyed at all times in the parking garages.

No back-in parking is allowed in the parking garages. Only one vehicle is allowed per space. No trailer parking is allowed. In the School Street garage, vehicles should be parked within the inner lines of each space.

Smoking is not permitted in any of the parking garages.

All accidents involving a motor vehicle on campus must be reported immediately to the University Police. Any vandalism incurred in campus lots should also be reported to the University Police.

Only licensed, operable vehicles may park on campus. Vehicles experiencing problems that prevent their removal from a parking area must be reported to Parking and Transportation. Contact our office at (309) 438-8391 from 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Contact the Illinois State University Police Department at (309) 438-8631 at all other times. Failure to report inoperative vehicles will result in a citation if the vehicle is in violation of rules and regulations. Handwritten notes are not considered acceptable notification. Inoperable vehicles must be immediately repaired or removed from campus lots. Be prepared to provide a timeline for repair to our office.

The Campus Motorist Assistance Program is aimed at helping students, faculty, staff, and guests of the University who experience motor vehicle problems while on campus at Illinois State University. This service is free.

Parking and Transportation employees will perform such functions as jump starts, unlocking your vehicle if your keys are locked in, providing a container and/or transporting gasoline if you run out, as well as providing air if you have a flat tire.

For assistance, please call the Office of Parking and Transportation at (309) 438-8391, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday through Friday; or call the University Police Department at (309) 438-8631, after hours or weekends. Only lockouts are available after 9 p.m. every day, including weekends. 

Press passes, handwritten or typed notes will not be honored for parking in University facilities. Contact our office to secure parking arrangements.

Parking is prohibited and vehicles are subject to fine and immediate tow at the owner’s expense for the following safety violations:

• Parking in a No Parking zone
• Parking in fire lanes, in yellow painted zones, or within 15 feet of fire hydrants
• Parking on crosswalks, drives or walkways
• Parking on grass or tree plots; parking anywhere that would mar the landscape of the campus, create a safety hazard, or interfere with the use of University facilities.

Vehicles in violation are subject to fine and/or immediate tow at the owners expense for:

• Use of non-metered parking areas without appropriate and valid permit
• Parking in reserved spaces; service spaces; business spaces; loading zones; ADA spaces or student storage lots without appropriate permit
• Use of parking areas, including metered parking, when $150 or more unpaid fines have been accumulated
• Parking on campus while displaying a lost, stolen, manufactured, or altered permit.
• Parking a vehicle on campus that is driven or owned by an individual who has had their parking privileges revoked.
• Violation of safety regulations as stated above
• Vehicles not properly displaying a valid license plate and/or inoperable vehicles will be considered abandoned and subject to immediate tow.

Vehicles are subject to tow 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Any person charged with a violation of University Parking regulations must pay the monetary penalty. Citations must be paid in order to appeal. If the payment is made within seven (7) calendar days, a written appeal may be filed, but the filing must be within the seven (7) day period from receipt of citation. Appeals can be made at the parking office or online. A notification will be emailed to the appellant informing them of the appeal determination. In cases where appeals are upheld, the monetary penalty or a portion of it will be refunded.

 Additional information about parking violations, towing and appeals is available on the parking website.

In compliance with the State of Illinois' Smoke-Free Campus Act, Illinois State University is a smoke and tobacco free campus. Smoking and tobacco use is prohibited on all campus property including buildings, grounds, parking lots, and vehicles that are owned or operated by a state-supported institution of higher education.

Smoking and tobacco use in private vehicles is allowed in unenclosed parking lots. Smoking and tobacco use outside of vehicles in university owned or operated parking lots is prohibited. Parking garages are considered enclosed structures where smoking is prohibited.

Illinois State University has implemented policies on the use of golf carts and authorized government vehicles on our campus.

Visitors

All Visitors, Event Attendees, and Vendors who plan to bring golf carts to campus are subject to the following rules and regulations:

• ISU Golf Cart Operating Rules
• Golf Cart Campus Map

Visitors, Event Attendees and Vendors who need assistance with training their operators may contact us and arrange to participate in our golf cart training.Please reference the information below for information on how to request our training video.

University Departments

All University Departments that employ AGVs and golf carts in their operations are subject to the following rules and regulations:

In compliance with University policy 5.1.11, all University departments using Authorized Government Vehicles (AGVs) and/or golf carts are required to ensure all current and potential operators in their department have completed operator safety training prior to operating an AGV and/or golf cart. It is each individual department’s responsibility to ensure their employees and volunteers are in compliance by completing the training and the necessary documentation. Individuals who are currently certified will need to recertify through the United Educators Learning Portal. In this portal, they can view the safety training video and complete the online course. Previous training materials are no longer available, and all certifications and renewals must be conducted through the United Educators Learning Portal.

The Office of Parking and Transportation/Fleet Services is partnering with University Risk Management to ensure compliance with this policy. Recertification for Golf Cart Safety Training is now required every four years. Each department is responsible for tracking employee training dates, for ensuring their employee’s compliance with the training recertification requirements, and for completing the necessary documentation.

To complete the safety training, an individual must:

• View a safety training video and complete an online course.
  • We will need each operator’s email, first and last name, department, and intended usage for operating a golf cart (ie: daily campus rounds, transporting guests, special events, etc.).
  • The required Golf Cart Safety course is offered by United Educators. Individuals will be prompted to create a Learning Portal Account with UE.org.
• Email FleetandBuses@IllinoisState.edu to request individuals to be added to United Educators Golf Cart Safety course.
• Individuals may also self-register by logging into the portal directly and creating an account. Users will enter their full name, email address, password, language and branch code: 3123-95510. This does not require an email to Fleet and Buses.
• Review the AGV/Golf Cart Rules of Operation below:
  • ISU Golf Cart Operating Rules
  • Golf Cart Campus Map
• Complete a hands-on review of operational and safety features of the specific vehicle the individual will be driving. This review must be provided by an employee designated by the operator’s department who possesses the appropriate skills and knowledge to conduct such training.
• Complete an operator training document. Training documentation and acknowledgment forms for all operators who will be operating AGVs and/or golf carts are to be maintained by the operator’s employing department, and a copy filed in the operator’s official personnel file located in Human Resources.

Documentation must include:

• • Operator’s name
  • Trainer’s name
  • Date of Training
  • List the specific type of equipment trained to operate
  • Documentation forms can be accessed here.

Please contact Parking and Transportation Fleet Services at (309) 438-2038, or email FleetandBuses@IllinoisState.edu if you have any questions.