For some reason, Chicago police are ignoring the "Do not ticket me" sign Lauren Addy has been putting on her Vespa when she parks it in a bike rack downtown.

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City officials told the Chicago Sun-Times that Addy, a student at the Illinois Institute of Art, is wrong in assuming the courts will dismiss the tickets because it is illegal to park any vehicle on a sidewalk -- with the exception of motorized wheelchairs or devices "moved solely by human power, devices used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks and snow mobiles."

Addy gotten five tickets so far and plans to contest every one of them.

She told the newspaper police told her she can use the bike racks as long as her scooter has an engine smaller than 50 cubic centimeters. The Vespa comes in at 49.7 cubic centimeters.

Parking the motorscooter was never a problem in the crowded Lincoln Park and Gold Coast neighborhoods, she said.

At least one officer is on Addy's side.

"It's kind of like jaywalking. It's against the law, but most officers won't ticket you for it," Sgt. Mike McCaster said.