Springfield, IL Walmart Bans Trucks Entirely After City Issues $50k In Fines!

From Trucker's Report

A Walmart that’s been at the center of the truck parking debate has finally succumbed to pressure from the city and has officially banned trucks from parking in its lot – even if the truck driver is only there to shop.

Springfield, Illinois has been going back and forth with their local Walmart since April of 2017 over trucks parking in their lot. That’s when a safety complaint was filed with the city against Walmart. Springfield city inspectors told the store that large trucks were making the parking area dangerous by blocking visibility of other motorists.

Springfield issued Walmart an $18,000 fine, and told them to fix the issue by painting longer lines in their lot to accommodate trucks.

But August of 2018 rolled around and Walmart hadn’t painted new lines. So, Springfield fined the store $50,000 and told them to deal with the problem. But it looks like the store has finally given in.

“Ultimately, Walmart decided not to change the parking lot to allow for truck parking,” city attorney Jim Zerkle said. “So what you have there is their design to prevent the illegal parking of trucks.”

Walmart has put up height restricting bars and concrete barriers to keep trucks away from their parking area. Trucks won’t be physically able to enter any section of the parking area except for the Garden Center. Even there, they will be banned except when loading and unloading goods.

A Walmart attorney told The State Journal Register that the store will “continue to monitor the Garden Center and alert the Springfield police when a truck is trespassing in that area.”

Now that a “solution” has been found, Zerkle says that the city is discussing a possible resolution to the still unpaid $50,000 fine.

That’s an interesting story. I guess that means even bob tails can’t park there while the driver is shopping? I hope WALMART doesn’t make that a nation wide policy. There are plenty of other places to shop so WALMART would lose a lot of trucker business plus inconvenience many drivers

That’s an interesting story. I guess that means even bob tails can’t park there while the driver is shopping? I hope WALMART doesn’t make that a nation wide policy. There are plenty of other places to shop so WALMART would lose a lot of trucker business plus inconvenience many drivers

RV'ers too!

In addition to having a Class-A CDL with several endorsements (should get my Fed. Med. back today), I own 38' Class A motorhome.

Official Walmart policy states I am allowed to park overnight with Manager's permission except where illegal to do so. Custom is 3 night's maximum though not sure that is stated. Supposedly applies at 60% of Walmart in US, though clearly dropping.

"Illegals were mostly things like Sturgis and Daytona during Bike Weeks and Oshkosh during EAA Air Venture. One year Camp Sholler (Air Venture camping) was badly flooded people "camped" in area parking lots... including Walmart!

I love them but they need to step up not cave! Of course many will tell you better to not ask permission... I personally was denied at both stores I tried when needing a place to park my RV.

Small Walmart off 12/18 and Gammon Road in Madison, WI looks like a Carney Encampment with same vehicles parked for weeks or more on end!

There are many WM stores I deliver to that do not allow any CMVs in the customer lot, including the Pittston PA store that has the height restriction bars.

That said, without exception I can always park behind the stores, near the dock. Never had an issue even in those places with a noise ordinance.

In my current career, I have dealt with "local government tyranny" in response to Federal laws that impose restrictions on local regulation of Federally regulated industries. Some local governments "get it" while others will resist at all costs. And usually what triggers the conflict is legitimate concerns of local governments (health, safety, etc.). From what I have learned from this forum, most local governments would have those legitimate gripes about increased truck parking in their cities. So I would expect some friction between the FHWA and local governments as they try to find solutions.

I'm sure that most of you have seen this already, but see the link below:

FHWA Efforts to Address Truck Parking

"Simple" solution. All Companies refuse to deliver product to that store. When all of the residents of that town are made aware of the reason for all of the empty shelves, they will vote the Town Council Members out of office!!!! Yeah..........I know.......just a fantasy!

Tractor...smoking something?

"Simple" solution. All Companies refuse to deliver product to that store. When all of the residents of that town are made aware of the reason for all of the empty shelves, they will vote the Town Council Members out of office!!!! Yeah..........I know.......just a fantasy!

When was your last random?

Rocky Mount NC has banned vehicles over 25' or over 10000lbs from parking within city limits. Even on your own property.

Several Walmarts ive spoken to have stated that they have no problem with trucks parking. Drivers usually buy lots of supplies and are good customers. But the towns will come in and ticket or boot the trucks based on town ordnances.

People hate trucks.

Their attitude is simply, "Bring me my stuff, then GTFO."

People hate trucks.

Their attitude is simply, "Bring me my stuff, then GTFO."

And the government adds: and do it in 11 hours out of a 14 hour day!

Rocky Mount NC has banned vehicles over 25' or over 10000lbs from parking within city limits. Even on your own property.

Several Walmarts ive spoken to have stated that they have no problem with trucks parking. Drivers usually buy lots of supplies and are good customers. But the towns will come in and ticket or boot the trucks based on town ordnances.

Marc I can’t agree with this completely.

If a Walmart manager or assistant manager offers permission to park on their property it’s with knowledge and understanding that local ordinances allow it.

There are a handful of stores that we cannot take the 10 hour break on their properties.

The managers know the laws and will direct a driver to the best parking area; usually on the side or behind the store.