Lincoln Park Neighborhood Map

The Neighborhood Map includes the locations of parking garages and area attractions, such as Lincoln Park Zoo, Lincoln Park Conservatory, The Notebaert Nature Museum and Chicago History Museum, as well as information on getting to and around Lincoln Park. Download the map (pdf) or request a copy today.

Neighborhood Parking Programs

Neighborhood residents can take advantage of parking programs offered by Children's Memorial Hospital (pdf) and DePaul University (pdf).

Chicago's Grid System

Chicago is an easy city to navigate since it was built on a grid system. The grid originates in the heart of the Loop at the intersection of State (which runs north/south) and Madison (which runs east/west). All of the north/south streets in Chicago are numbered as how many blocks they are east or west of State, with the addresses increasing by 100 for each block (except downtown, where streets do not always correspond to a full block). Similarly, all east/west streets in Chicago are numbered as north or south of Madison. As an example, Ashland runs north/south and is 16 blocks west of State, so its "address" is 1600 West. There are eight blocks to a mile in Chicago, so we can determine that Ashland at 1600 West is two miles west of State.

CTA

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), which began operating in 1947, runs the nation's second-largest public transportation system. The CTA provides bus and train service to Chicago and 40 surrounding suburbs. On an average weekday, 1.6 million rides are taken on the CTA’s transit system.

The CTA’s train system is called the ‘L,’ short for "elevated." Each train line is named a different color. Train signs display the train’s final destination, such as "Loop" or "Forest Park" or "Midway." The train lines that serve Lincoln Park are the Brown Line, which runs between Kimball and the Loop; the Red Line, which runs between Howard and 95th/Dan Ryan; and the Purple Line Express, which runs between Linden and the Loop. The Purple Line Express only runs Monday through Friday during rush hour.

Visit the CTA’s website for information, including details on purchasing transit cards, the Chicago Card, the Chicago Card Plus and passes, as well as schedules, routes and fares.

Trolley

The free Lincoln Park trolley runs during the day on weekends and holidays during the summer, and connects area sites including Lincoln Park Zoo, the Chicago History Museum and The Notebaert Nature Museum, with nearby parking facilities and CTA train stations. Click here to download the trolley map (pdf).

City Vehicle Stickers

If you live in the City of Chicago and own a vehicle, city law requires you to purchase the annual Chicago vehicle sticker and display it on the lower right-hand side of your windshield.

If you are a new resident of Chicago, or a new vehicle owner, you have 30 days following the purchase of your vehicle or move to the city to buy a Chicago vehicle sticker without incurring a late fee. This transaction must be made in person, and you are required to present your property bill of sale or valid lease to prove your move date or your vehicle bill of sale or title to prove vehicle purchase date.

City of Chicago vehicles stickers are available at the City Clerk of Chicago’s office in City Hall (121 N. LaSalle, Room 107), as well as at one of the City Clerk’s satellite offices, City of Chicago Department of Revenue Substations and many Currency Exchanges throughout Chicago. Please note: Currency Exchanges will include a service fee in addition to the cost of the city vehicle sticker.

City stickers currently expire each year on June 30, and the annual renewal period is June 1 through July 16. City vehicle stickers purchased after this time will be subject to a late fee, except for the situations listed previously (move to city, purchase of vehicle). Your Chicago vehicle sticker renewal can be done in-person, online or through the mail after you receive notification of the renewal period. For most residents, the annual fee is $75 for passenger vehicles. Complete pricing information is available online at www.chicityclerk.com.

Residential Parking Permits

Chicago residential parking permits limit parking on many city streets to residents and their guests during designated hours. This program was created to ensure that residents living in high density population centers will always have fair access to parking near their homes. Cars parked in permit areas without the appropriate neighborhood sticker will be subject to parking tickets. The parking restrictions often differ block by block; be sure to look for street signs for the specific details about parking in your neighborhood.

In addition to the Chicago vehicle sticker, residents living in a residential parking permit zone must secure an annual resident parking permit from the City Clerk of Chicago’s office in City Hall, or one of their satellite offices. The current fee for a residential parking permit is $25, and all residential permits expire on June 30 of each year. Residential parking permits must be displayed on your vehicle’s windshield.

To apply for a residential parking permit, a receipt of your Chicago vehicle sticker purchase and proof of residency (e.g., Illinois driver’s license with current address, copy of current lease or mortgage, current utility bill or voter’s registration card) is required. 

You can obtain an application for a residential parking permit on the City Clerk of Chicago’s website, or by calling the Residential Permit Parking Division of the City Clerk’s office at (312) 744-7848 or (312) 744-5346.

 Visitor Parking Permits

Residents are responsible for ensuring that their guests are provided with parking permits as required by their residential parking zone. Your guest will receive a parking ticket if a current visitor parking permit is not properly displayed on the passenger side windshield of his or her vehicle. 

One-day (24 hour) visitor parking permits are available to residents in packs of 15 for $8 at the City Clerk of Chicago’s office in City Hall or one of the City Clerk’s satellite facilities. Your alderman’s office also has visitor parking permits for sale.