TOWING UNAUTHORIZED VEHICLES

Municipal Code of Chicago tit. 9, ch. 9-84

in effect

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-84-005 Definitions.

9-84-005 Definitions. For purposes of this chapter the following definitions apply: "Commission" means the Illinois Commerce Commission. "Relocated", "Relocating", and "Relocation" have the same meaning ascribed to those terms in Section 1710.10 of subchapter d of Chapter 92 of the Illinois Administrative Code, codified at 92 Ill. Adm. Code § 1710.10. "Relocator" and "Operator" have the same meaning ascribed to those terms in Section 18a-100 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, 625 ILCS 5/18(a)-100. "Unauthorized vehicle" means any vehicle parked or abandoned on private property without the consent of the property owner or his authorized agent, or any vehicle parked or abandoned on private property in violation of any provision of this Code. (Added Coun. J. 4-15-15, p. 106586, § 2)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-84-010 Report - Definition - Procedure.

9-84-010 Report - Definition - Procedure. (a) Within 30 minutes after relocating any unauthorized vehicle, the relocator shall notify the Chicago Police Department by using the nonemergency police telephone number to report the year, make, model and state license plate number of the relocated vehicle and the location from which the vehicle was relocated. In addition to this notification, within 24 hours after relocating an unauthorized vehicle, the relocator shall submit a written report to the superintendent of police containing the following information: (1) Name, address and telephone number of the relocator and of the operator; (2) State license plate number of the vehicle relocated; (3) Vehicle identification number of the vehicle relocated; (4) Color, make and model of the relocated vehicle; (5) Date and time of the relocation; (6) Address of place from which vehicle was relocated; (7) Names and addresses of any witnesses to the relocation; (8) Name of person with whom the relocation agreement was made; (9) Address of place where the vehicle is stored; and (10) State license plate number of the tow truck which made the relocation. (b) [Reserved.] (c) Prior to relocating any unauthorized vehicle, the relocator or operator shall first obtain written consent from the owner of the private property or such owner's authorized agent to relocate the specific vehicle in question, unless the relocator has an agreement with the owner or agent to relocate all unauthorized vehicles from such owner's private property. Each year, beginning on the effective date of this amendatory ordinance of 2016, each relocator shall provide the Chicago police department with a list of all locations where the relocator has an active contract or other agreement in place with an owner to remove unauthorized vehicles from such owner's private property. This list shall clearly indicate whether the contract or agreement authorizes the relocator or operator to patrol or remove vehicles from the owner's private property only upon request by the owner. The Chicago police department shall organize the lists required under this subsection by police district and shall provide a copy of the applicable list to each district commander annually. (d) When any owner enters into an agreement with a relocator to relocate unauthorized vehicles from such owner's private parking area, the relocator shall post a notice of this arrangement prominently at all entrances and exits to the parking area(s), in clear view, and free from interference from any natural or manmade objects, and positioned with the bottom of the sign not less than 4 feet, and not more than 7 feet, above ground level. The lettering on these signs shall be in prominent type at least three inches high and in a color that contrasts with the background color of the sign. The sign, which shall also be legible at night, shall contain the following information: (1) A general statement indicating who is allowed to park in the area. The statement may use classes of persons as well as individuals; (2) A warning that unauthorized vehicles will be relocated; (3) The name, address and telephone number of the relocator, and of the location to which the vehicle will be relocated, if different; (4) The fee charged by the relocator to recover the unauthorized vehicle and whether cash, check or credit cards will be accepted in payments; and (5) A notice that towing relocators and operators are regulated by the Illinois Commerce Commission. Such notice shall include the Commission's telephone number and internet address at which complaints about a relocator or operator can be filed with the Commission. (e) Subsection (d) shall not apply to driveways or parking areas serving three or fewer vehicles. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634; Amend Coun. J. 6-28-06, p. 79278, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 4-15-15, p. 106586, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 6-22-16, p. 26637, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-84-015 Booting prohibited - Applicability.

9-84-015 Booting prohibited - Applicability. (a) Unlawful act. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of this section, no person shall boot any motor vehicle located within the corporate limits of the City at any time. (b) Definitions. As used in this section: "Boot" means the act of placing on a parked motor vehicle any mechanical device that is designed to be attached to the wheel or tire or other part of such vehicle so as to prohibit the vehicle's usual manner of movement. "Motor vehicle" has the meaning ascribed to the term in Section 9-4-010. (c) Exemption. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the booting of a motor vehicle by the City of Chicago or by any other governmental entity or by any person acting under the direction of the City of Chicago or such governmental entity, when such booting is authorized by any provision of law or any rule or regulation duly promulgated thereunder. Nor shall the provisions of this section apply to booting of a motor vehicle in compliance with Section 4-6-230. (Added Coun. J. 9-29-99, p. 12267, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 12-13-00, p. 48188, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 165)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-84-020 Removal of vehicle by owner or legal possessor of vehicle.

9-84-020 Removal of vehicle by owner or legal possessor of vehicle. No unauthorized vehicle may be relocated by any relocator or operator if the owner or other person entitled to possession of the vehicle is present and offers to remove such vehicle voluntarily prior to the time the relocator or operator attempts to relocate such vehicle from the premises; provided that the owner or other person so removes the vehicle immediately thereupon. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634; Amend Coun. J. 4-15-15, p. 106586, § 2)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-84-021 Relocating of vehicle containing passenger prohibited.

9-84-021 Relocating of vehicle containing passenger prohibited. No unauthorized vehicle may be towed by any relocator or operator from private property if the vehicle to be relocated contains one or more passengers. (Added Coun. J. 7-29-98, p. 75175; Amend Coun. J. 4-15-15, p. 106586, § 2)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-84-023 Charges for relocated vehicles.

9-84-023 Charges for relocated vehicles. No relocator shall demand, collect or receive anything of value or compensation from the owner, agent or lessee of a relocated vehicle other than the amount indicated on the signs posted on the private property from which the vehicle was relocated, or the rate established by the Commission, whichever is less; provided that this subsection shall not apply to storage fees prescribed by the Commission which are posted in compliance with the Commission's rules and regulations at the locations where the relocated vehicle may be reclaimed. (Added Coun. J. 4-15-15, p. 106586, § 2)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-84-025 Pre-tow photographs and on-board cameras - Required.

9-84-025 Pre-tow photographs and on-board cameras - Required. (a) Prior to relocating any unauthorized vehicle, the relocator or operator shall take at least one photograph of the unauthorized vehicle which clearly shows: (i) the date and time the photograph was taken; (ii) the entire vehicle and its location on the date and time the photograph was taken; and (iii) the vehicle's license plate. The relocator shall maintain the photographs, in electronic or print format, for a period of two years from the date on which it was taken. The relocator shall provide the photographs, without charge, to the owner of the relocated vehicle, upon request. (b) The relocator shall install on-board cameras on all vehicles used by the relocator to relocate unauthorized vehicles. These cameras shall clearly document: (i) views of the unauthorized vehicle from the front and rear of the relocator's vehicle; (ii) audio from inside the relocator's vehicle; and (iii) the date and time the video and audio are captured. The relocator shall: (1) maintain the video records, in electronic format, for a period of one year from the date on which it was captured; and (2) upon request by the relocated vehicle's owner, provide an electronic copy of the video records, without charge, to such owner; and (3) upon request, make such video records available for inspection by the department of business affairs and consumer protection or by any alderman. (Added Coun. J. 4-15-15, p. 106586, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 6-22-16, p. 26637, § 2)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-84-030 Insurance required.

9-84-030 Insurance required. No relocator shall relocate any vehicle from private property nor shall any person accept in storage an unauthorized vehicle towed unless at the time of the relocation the relocator had liability insurance in effect in the name of such relocator as provided in Section 9-44-050. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634; Amend Coun. J. 4-15-15, p. 106586, § 2)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-84-035 Relocation of unauthorized vehicles.

9-84-035 Relocation of unauthorized vehicles. (a) Unauthorized vehicles shall be relocated directly from the initial point of tow to the relocator's facility that is indicated on the sign posted on the private property (b) No unauthorized vehicle shall be relocated to a storage lot or facility that is not identified on signs posted at the location from which the unauthorized vehicle is relocated in compliance with Section 1710.50 of subchapter d of Chapter 92 of the Illinois Administrative Code, codified at 92 Ill. Adm. Code § 1710.50. Following the initial tow, no vehicle shall be subsequently transported to any other lot or facility except to a secondary storage lot in compliance with Section 1710.34 of subchapter d of Chapter 92 of the Illinois Administrative Code, codified at 92 Ill. Adm. Code § 1710.34. (Added Coun. J. 4-30-14, p. 79724, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 4-15-15, p. 106586, § 2)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-84-036 Towing Bill of Rights.

9-84-036 Towing Bill of Rights. (a) Chicago Towing Bill of Rights – Posting – Required. Each relocator shall post a copy of the Chicago Towing Bill of Rights, as set forth in subsection (b) of this section, conspicuously in the area of their lot or facility where persons retrieve relocated vehicles. Such posting, which shall be labeled the Chicago Towing Bill of Rights, shall be on a page or poster not less than 11 inches in width and 17 inches in height. In addition, the relocator shall provide a paper copy of the Chicago Towing Bill of Rights to all persons retrieving a vehicle from the relocator's lot or facility. (b) Chicago Towing Bill of Rights – Required Contents. The Chicago Towing Bill of Rights shall state the following: Chicago Towing Bill of Rights Pursuant to the Illinois Compiled Statutes, Illinois Administrative Code, and Municipal Code of Chicago, the following requirements apply when any vehicle is towed from private property: 1. No vehicle shall be relocated from any private property without the written consent of the private property owner or his authorized agent to conduct such removals. 2. No vehicle shall be relocated from a lot which does not, at the time of the tow and for at least 24 hours prior thereto, have signs posted in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. 3. Relocators shall print and make available to the public all authorized rates and charges for towing or for otherwise moving and storing vehicles in connection with the removal of unauthorized vehicles from private property. 4. Except for vehicles that require a commercial driver's license to operate, no vehicle shall be relocated if: (i) the owner of the vehicle or the owner's agent is present or arrives on the scene before the vehicle is completely removed from the private property, and (ii) such owner or agent can produce the ignition key or other ignition device for the vehicle, and (iii) such owner or agent is able to remove and immediately does remove the vehicle from the private property. If the vehicle requires a commercial driver's license to operate, no vehicle shall be relocated if the owner or operator of such vehicle: (i) is present or arrives on the scene before the vehicle is completely removed from the private property, and (ii) such owner or operator can produce the ignition key to the vehicle, and (iii) such owner or operator is able to and does immediately remove the vehicle from the private property, and (iv) such owner or operator pays a reasonable service fee of not more than one-half of the posted rate of the towing service. 5. Relocators must notify the Chicago Police Department within 30 minutes after relocating any unauthorized vehicle. 6. Relocators must accept any of the following methods of payment for lawful fees and charges: United States currency, commonly recognized traveler's checks, money orders, cashier's checks, certified checks, and commonly accepted credit cards and debit cards. 7. In the event the owner of any relocated vehicle is not able to immediately pay to retrieve the vehicle, the relocator must provide the owner with access to the vehicle to retrieve any of the owner's personal belongings. The relocator is permitted to accompany the owner to the vehicle while the owner removes his or her belongings. 8. Upon request, the relocator must provide the owner of any relocated vehicle with a photograph of the vehicle taken before it was towed that clearly shows the date and time the photograph was taken, the vehicle's location, and the vehicle's license plate number. Upon request, the relocator must also provide the vehicle owner with relevant electronic video records of the relocation. 9. When the owner retrieves his or her vehicle, or upon request, the relocator must provide the owner of the relocated vehicle with a copy of this "Bill of Rights" along with other relevant statutes, regulations, and ordinances governing relocation operations. 10. Formal complaints about the relocator can be made by contacting the Illinois Commerce Commission at (847) 294-4326 or can be filed online at www.icc.illinois.gov. (Added Coun. J. 6-22-16, p. 26637, § 3)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-84-040 Violation - Penalty.

9-84-040 Violation - Penalty. Any person or any officer of any corporation, or any partner of any partnership: (a) relocating or authorizing a relocation of an unauthorized vehicle, or booting a vehicle or authorizing the booting of a vehicle in violation of any provision of Section 9-84-010, 9-84-015, 9-84-020 or 9-84-030, shall be fined not less than $50.00 nor more than $500.00 for the first offense and not less than $100.00 nor more than $500.00 for the second and each subsequent offense; (b) relocating an unauthorized vehicle in violation of Section 9-84-021 or 9-84-035 shall be fined not less than $500.00 nor more than $1,000.00; or (c) relocating an unauthorized vehicle in violation of Section 9-84-023, 9-84-025, 9-84-036 or any associated rule shall be fined not less than $500.00 nor more than $1,000.00 and be liable for payment of restitution to the owner or lessee of the relocated vehicle in the amount of the actual costs incurred by such owner or lessee. Any person, or any officer of any corporation, or any partner of any partnership found liable for or guilty of one or more violations on three or more separate dates may be punished by a period of incarceration for a term not to exceed six months. Each violation shall be considered a separate and distinct offense. (d) The commissioner of business affairs and consumer protection and the superintendent of police are hereby authorized to promulgate rules to enforce this chapter. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634; Amend Coun. J. 9-29-99, p. 12267, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 4-30-14, p. 79724, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 4-15-15, p. 106586, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 6-22-16, p. 26637, § 4)

Source: City of Chicago, Municipal Code of Chicago (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2647300Fetched: 10/24/2026