Students Vs. Neighbors: Elmhurst Parking Rule On Way

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst is set to take action to help reduce parking problems on Kenilworth Avenue between Adelia and Church streets.

At a meeting Monday, city officials said most of those parking during the day on weekdays were students of IC Catholic Prep, a high school a block away. Most of the cars are gone shortly after school.

The officials said those parking block driveways and hydrants at times. And they said residents have seen drivers and passengers leave garbage in the parkway. With so many cars parked, there is only one lane of traffic, the city said.

All 13 households on the block agreed to a proposed restriction – a two-hour parking limit from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Officials said it was rare to see such unanimity.

At a public safety committee meeting, Police Chief Michael McLean said the school reported it had an unusually large number of upperclassmen. He said the city asked whether the school was leasing other churches' parking lots. The school said it was.

"At this point, we are not able to find an alternative parking lot for them to utilize," the chief said. "We'll continue to try to work with them."

"We have communicated with the school," Assistant City Manager Kent Johnson said. "They have done what they can to stop it."

Mayor Scott Levin said the new rule may cause students to park on streets that have no restrictions.

Johnson acknowledged this could happen, saying the phenomenon is known as "squeezing the balloon." In the past, he said, the city has handled such issues in "baby steps."

The committee voted to recommend the new rule on the block of Kenilworth.

"Residents have spoken unanimously," Alderman Mike Brennan said. "That screams for something to happen."

The full City Council has the final say. It meets next week.