Woman Gets City Hall Runaround After Her Handicapped Parking Signs Are Stolen

(CBS) -- This time of year, it's a struggle for Julie Falco to get out of her Ravenswood apartment.

Not just because of snow and ice. But because the signs for her paid handicapped parking spot in front of her building are gone.

Cars now occupy her spot.

"I was shocked. How is it that signs were just ripped out of the ground?" Falco tells CBS 2's Dana Kozlov.

Falco, who has Multiple Sclerosis, noticed the signs missing on Dec. 20.

Then a neighbor found them, in an alley garbage bin. That neighbor saved the signs and put them behind Falco's building for safe-keeping.

Falco called the city and Ward 40 Ald. Pat O'Connor's office two weeks ago. Nothing happened.

Then on Monday, someone from the alderman's office told her -- and CBS 2 -- she owed money for the space. Falco called back with proof she was paid up.

Falco got a second call from O'Connor's office saying, yes, she was paid up, but the city would not reinstall her signs until she pays a bill she hasn't even received yet.

"Now, they're telling me they won't put them in until they get money? Wow. I'm getting violated twice," Falco says.

Later Monday, a staffer at O'Connor's ward office told Kozlov the alderman will resolve the matter.