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Fewer motorists are expected to qualify under the measure designed to cut down on abuse. http://www.thonline.com/news/iowa-illinois-wisconsin/article_d99325e4-220a-5b91-9f88-07c3358c40e8.html SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Illinois motorists will soon have to prove they deserve the free parking that comes with disability placards that hang from their rearview mirrors under a state law that will take effect in January. The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reported that under the new law, free parking will be limited to those motorists who present a note from their doctors explaining that they cannot access parking meters or ticket machines because they are unable to reach them or unable to walk more than 20 feet because of a physical problem. Those motorists will receive a decal that will distinguish their placards from the 683,000 registered placards in the state that now allow the drivers to park for free. The new law will almost certainly mean the number of motorists who qualify for free parking will dramatically fall, said Bill Bogdan, disability liaison with the secretary of state's office. In fact, between April, when the renewal process began, and the end of July, only about 6,300 of the 55,000 people who applied for the disability placards met the new requirements, he said. The expectation is that only about 10 to 15 percent of disabled drivers will ultimately qualify. Bogdan said he hopes the law deters abuse by motorists who have been known to use a dead family member's placard, an expired placard or one that was purchased on eBay or Craigslist. A spokesman for Access Living, a nonprofit that assists people with disabilities, said he's all for the new law. "We knew something had to change," said Gary Arnold. "It was clear that there was rampant abuse." The new law could also benefit the city of Chicago. Under the terms of a deal with Chicago Parking Meters, the city must reimburse the company for money it loses because so many drivers use the placards to avoid paying parking meters, said Bogdan. © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. More about Parking • ARTICLE: City Expo today will alter some Jule routes • ARTICLE: Cities rethinking disabled placards • ARTICLE: East Village popularity bad for business? • ARTICLE: Ask Jerry: When parking at a broken meter, courtesy can go a long way More about Parking Meter • ARTICLE: Cities rethinking disabled placards • ARTICLE: Ask Jerry: When parking at a broken meter, courtesy can go a long way • ARTICLE: Theft of 840K coins sends NY meter-man to prison • ARTICLE: Option to feed meters by phone starts Monday More about Street Furniture • ARTICLE: Cities rethinking disabled placards • ARTICLE: Ask Jerry: When parking at a broken meter, courtesy can go a long way • ARTICLE: City: Accidents rise at intersections with red-light cameras • ARTICLE: Asbury, Iowa Asbury begins flushing hydrants this week