CHICAGO (AP) — Motorists tempted to illegally park in shopping mall spots reserved for the disabled will be the target of Illinois Secretary of State police this holiday season.

The agency's seventh-annual disability parking sting started Friday at shopping malls statewide and will continue through the Christmas season. Last year the agency issued 31 citations over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend alone and 187 citations through the season. Authorities confiscated more than 100 illegally used placards.

"We're out to send a message to ask people to leave the accessible spots for people with disabilities," said Bill Bogdan, disability liaison for the Illinois Secretary of State's office.