625 ILCS 5/11-1307
"Centralized parking meter system" means a system of regulating the standing or parking of vehicles that includes 3 or more parking meter zones, and a single parking meter.
"Parking meter" means a traffic control device which, upon being activated by deposit of currency of the United States, or by electronic or other form of payment, in the amount indicated thereon or otherwise, either: (1) displays a signal showing that parking is allowed from the time of such activation until the expiration of the time fixed for parking in the parking meter zone in which it is located, and upon expiration of such time indicates by sign or signal that the lawful parking period has expired, or (2) issues a ticket or other token, or activates a display device, on which is printed or otherwise indicated the lawful parking period in the parking meter zone in which the parking meter is located, such ticket, other token, or display device, to be displayed in a publicly visible location on the dashboard or inner windshield of a vehicle parked in the parking meter zone, or such ticket to be affixed on the front lamp of a motorcycle or motor scooter parked in the parking meter zone.
"Parking meter zone" means a certain designated and marked-off section of the public way within the marked boundaries where a vehicle may be temporarily parked and allowed to remain for such period of time as the parking meter attached thereto, or the ticket or other token issued by the parking meter, may indicate.
625 ILCS 5/11-1307