Home>Chicago Campus Parking>Frequently Asked Questions

Parking Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions or comments that are not addressed below, contact the Parking Office at (312) 503-1103, or chicagoparking@northwestern.edu.


I am a new staff member with the University. How do I obtain a parking permit?

Each department on the Chicago Campus is allocated a certain number of parking spaces according to their percentage of the total population on this campus. A Departmental Parking Administrator oversees the utilization of these spaces. Your first step is to contact your department's Parking Administrator to see if there are spaces available. If there are space available, faculty/staff must fulfill certain criteria to become eligible for parking:

  • Must live north of North Avenue, west of Halsted Street and South of Congress Parkway.
  • Are approved for parking privileges through their department
  • Are paid at least 50% of their salary from Northwestern University.
  • Must work a minimum of 20hrs a week to be considered for commuter parking
If all of the above criteria are met, the department administrator will then fax or e-mail a memo to the Parking Office verifying that you may purchase one of their allocated spaces. Once this memo is received and processed, you may proceed to the Parking Office to complete a parking application. A tiered scale according to one's annual salary determines parking fees for faculty and staff. NMH, RIC & NMFF salaries will be considered when identifying the parking tier. These rates are set in the Fall Quarter each year.

Back to top


I take classes in the evenings on the Chicago Campus. What are my parking options?

There are several options for evening parking on the Chicago Campus. If you attend classes twice a week or less, you may self-validate your parking ticket for a discounted rate of $6.50 per evening. This rate is valid at the University's Self-Park garage located on 222 E. Huron "Lot C," or at 321 E. Erie "Lot D." You can park in either lot from 4:00 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The pulled parking ticket can be stamped by a validation machine in Wieboldt Hall, located on the 1st floor in the mailbox room. Upon exiting the parking structure, present the validated ticket to the attendant to receive your discounted rate.

If you need evening parking on a more regular basis, the Parking Office offers Evening/Weekend permits. These permits allow you to park at 321 E. Erie "Lot D," Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. until 8 a.m. the following morning. The permit also entitles you to 24 hour access to the lot during weekends and University holidays. Fees are set on a yearly basis. Please contact the Parking Office at (312) 503-1103 for current rates. Parking fees are payable via cash, check, or charged to a student account. To obtain a permit, please fill out the online parking application.

Back to top


I have a meeting to attend to in Chicago but I think my parking permit is only valid in Evanston. Where can I park my car for a couple of hours?

Why not save some gas and take the shuttle? The Inter-Campus Shuttle is a free service (you simply need to show your WildCARD) that operates between the Evanston and Chicago Campus and will allow you to attend your meeting without having to worry about parking.

If you cannot take the shuttle, ask the department you are meeting with about discounted validation. You may also obtain a discounted employee pass for $10.25 from the Parking Office.

Back to top


Can I buy my out of town guests a parking pass for the weekend?

Yes. A weekend pass is available to students, it can be purchased at the Parking Office during normal business hours. When you sign up for a Weekend Permit, your WildCARD is activated as the guest's key card. The parking pass is $17.00 and is valid from 4:00 p.m. Friday to 8:00 a.m. on Monday morning.

Back to top


If I need to drive a substitute vehicle, will I still be able to park without my permit displayed on the vehicle?


Yes, but you will need to notify the parking office in Abbott Hall. The parking office will issue you a temporary permit to display in the substitute vehicle.

Back to top


Where do I place the decal?


The decal(s) should be affixed to the lower right-hand corner of your rear window or the right side of the rear bumper.

*If you have registered more than one vehicle, please check the back of each sticker to ensure you are attaching the decal to the corresponding vehicle. Each decal is marked with the vehicle's information.

Back to top


How do I enter and exit the parking garage?

Your WildCARD is your key card for the parking garage.

To Enter and Exit the parking garages:

  1. Once you have entered the garage, swipe your WildCARD through the card reader. The card should be facing down with the wide stripe inserted into the reader and swiped from left to right.
  2. In Lots D and C, a green light will indicate that the card has been read successfully. When the card has been read the gate will lift.

Contact the Parking Office if you have any difficulties parking with your WildCARD, or if you have further questions regarding your campus permit at (312) 503-1103.


Can I get a parking card, separate from my WildCARD, for parking on the Chicago Campus?


Yes. Upon request, a separate parking card can be issued with a key card number for parking. The separate cards are available for $25.

Back to top


What happens if my WildCARD (or parking card) doesn't work in the garage?


If your card does not work when you attempt to enter the garage, please take a ticket to enter the facility and notify the Parking Office in Abbott Hall, room 100.

If your card does not work when you attempt to exit the garage, please show your current parking permit receipt to the attendant. After they have verified that your permit is current, you will be allowed you to exit the garage. If an attendant is not available, it may be necessary to pay the daily rate at the pay station. If you've had to pay the daily rate, please request a parking receipt and take it to the Parking office in Abbott Hall, room 100, for refund instructions.

Back to top


I forgot my WildCARD, what do I do?


Take a ticket when entering the garage and bring it to the Parking Office in Abbott Hall, room 100, who will issue you an exit pass for the garage. If it is after regular business hours and no attendants are present,
it may be necessary to pay the daily rate at the pay station. If you've had to pay the daily rate, please request a parking receipt and take it to the Parking office in Abbott Hall, room 100, for refund instructions.

Back to top

 

 



Northwestern University University Services
What's NewChicago Campus ParkingChicago Parking PoliciesFrequently Asked QuestionsFormsContact Us
University Services • 2020 Ridge Avenue, 2nd Floor • Evanston, IL 60208-4303
Phone: 847-491-7569 • Fax: 847-/491-3849 • E-mail: univsvcs@northwestern.edu
Last Updated: 07/16/2007
© 2004 Northwestern University. World Wide Web Disclaimer and University Policy Statements.