Public Act 104-0133
 
SB2040 EnrolledLRB104 10361 LNS 20436 b

    AN ACT concerning transportation.
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
 
    Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by
changing Sections 3-704, 18a-501, 18d-105, 18d-115, 18d-120,
and 18d-155 and by adding Sections 3-704.4, 18d-116, 18d-118,
18d-119, 18d-121, 18d-157, and 18d-158 as follows:
 
    (625 ILCS 5/3-704)  (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-704)
    Sec. 3-704. Authority of Secretary of State to suspend or
revoke a registration or certificate of title; authority to
suspend or revoke the registration of a vehicle.
    (a) The Secretary of State may suspend or revoke the
registration of a vehicle or a certificate of title,
registration card, registration sticker or digital
registration sticker, registration plate or digital
registration plate, disability parking decal or device, or any
nonresident or other permit in any of the following events:
        1. When the Secretary of State is satisfied that such
    registration or that such certificate, card, plate or
    digital plate, registration sticker or digital
    registration sticker, or permit was fraudulently or
    erroneously issued;
        2. When a registered vehicle has been dismantled or
    wrecked or is not properly equipped;
        3. When the Secretary of State determines that any
    fines, penalties, or required fees have not been paid to
    the Secretary of State, to the Illinois Commerce
    Commission, or to the Illinois Department of Revenue under
    the Motor Fuel Tax Law, and the same are not paid upon
    reasonable notice and demand;
        4. When a registration card, registration plate or
    digital registration plate, registration sticker or
    digital registration sticker, or permit is knowingly
    displayed upon a vehicle other than the one for which
    issued;
        5. When the Secretary of State determines that the
    owner has committed any offense under this Chapter
    involving the registration or the certificate, card, plate
    or digital plate, registration sticker or digital
    registration sticker, or permit to be suspended or
    revoked;
        6. When the Secretary of State determines that a
    vehicle registered not-for-hire is used or operated
    for-hire unlawfully, or used or operated for purposes
    other than those authorized;
        7. When the Secretary of State determines that an
    owner of a for-hire motor vehicle has failed to give proof
    of financial responsibility as required by this Act;
        8. When the Secretary determines that the vehicle is
    not subject to or eligible for a registration;
        9. When the Secretary determines that the owner of a
    vehicle registered under the mileage weight tax option
    fails to maintain the records specified by law, or fails
    to file the reports required by law, or that such vehicle
    is not equipped with an operable and operating speedometer
    or odometer;
        10. When the Secretary of State is so authorized under
    any other provision of law;
        11. When the Secretary of State determines that the
    holder of a disability parking decal or device has
    committed any offense under Chapter 11 of this Code
    involving the use of a disability parking decal or device.
    (a-5) The Secretary of State may revoke a certificate of
title and registration card and issue a corrected certificate
of title and registration card, at no fee to the vehicle owner
or lienholder, if there is proof that the vehicle
identification number is erroneously shown on the original
certificate of title.
    (b) The Secretary of State may suspend or revoke the
registration of a vehicle as follows:
        1. When the Secretary of State determines that the
    owner of a vehicle has not paid a civil penalty or a
    settlement agreement arising from the violation of rules
    adopted under the Illinois Motor Carrier Safety Law or the
    Illinois Hazardous Materials Transportation Act or that a
    vehicle, regardless of ownership, was the subject of
    violations of these rules that resulted in a civil penalty
    or settlement agreement which remains unpaid.
        2. When the Secretary of State determines that a
    vehicle registered for a gross weight of more than 16,000
    pounds within an affected area is not in compliance with
    the provisions of Section 13-109.1 of this Code.
        3. When the Secretary of State is notified by the
    United States Department of Transportation that a vehicle
    is in violation of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
    Regulations, as they are now or hereafter amended, and is
    prohibited from operating.
    (c) The Secretary of State may suspend the registration of
a vehicle when a court finds that the vehicle was used in a
violation of Section 24-3A of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the
Criminal Code of 2012 relating to gunrunning. A suspension of
registration under this subsection (c) may be for a period of
up to 90 days.
    (d) The Secretary shall deny, suspend, or revoke
registration if the applicant fails to disclose material
information required, if the applicant has made a materially
false statement on the application, if the applicant has
applied as a subterfuge for the real party in interest who has
been issued a federal out-of-service order, or if the
applicant's business is operated by, managed by, or otherwise
controlled by or affiliated with a person who is ineligible
for registration, including the applicant entity, a relative,
family member, corporate officer, or shareholder. The
Secretary shall deny, suspend, or revoke registration for
either (i) a vehicle if the motor carrier responsible for the
safety of the vehicle has been prohibited from operating by
the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; or (ii) a
carrier whose business is operated by, managed by, or
otherwise controlled by or affiliated with a person who is
ineligible for registration, which may include the owner, a
relative, family member, corporate officer, or shareholder of
the carrier.
(Source: P.A. 101-185, eff. 1-1-20; 101-395, eff. 8-16-19;
102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)
 
    (625 ILCS 5/3-704.4 new)
    Sec. 3-704.4. Failure to satisfy fines or penalties
assessed by the Commission; suspension of tow truck
registrations.
    (a) Beginning July 1, 2026, upon receipt of a report
pursuant to Section 18d-158, as set forth in subsection (c),
from the Commission stating that the owner of a registered tow
truck has failed to satisfy any fine or penalty issued by the
Commission, the Secretary of State shall suspend all tow truck
registrations of the person in accordance with the procedures
set forth in this Section.
    (b) Following receipt of the certified report of the
Commission as specified in this Section, the Secretary of
State shall notify the person whose name appears on the
certified report that the person's tow truck registrations
shall be suspended within 30 calendar days unless the
Secretary of State is presented with a notice from the
Commission certifying that the fines or penalties owing the
Commission have been satisfied or that inclusion of that
person's name on the certified report was in error. The
Secretary's notice shall state in substance the information
contained in the Commission's certified report to the
Secretary, and shall be effective as specified by subsection
(c) of Section 6-211.
    (c) The report from the Commission notifying the Secretary
of unsatisfied fines or penalties pursuant to this Section
shall be certified by the Transportation Division Manager, or
his or her designee, and shall contain the following:
        (1) The name and last known address of the person that
    failed to satisfy the fines or penalties and the vehicle
    identification number of any tow trucks known to be
    registered in the State to that person.
        (2) A statement that the Commission sent a notice
    consistent with subsection (b) of Section 18d-158 to the
    person named in the report at the address recorded with
    the Secretary of State, the date on which the notice was
    sent, and the address to which the notice was sent.
    (d) The Commission, after making a certified report to the
Secretary pursuant to this Section, shall notify the
Secretary, on a form prescribed by the Secretary, whenever a
person named in the certified report has satisfied the
previously reported fines or penalties or whenever the
Commission determines that the original report was in error. A
certified copy of the notification shall also be given upon
request and at no additional charge to the person named
therein. Upon receipt of the Commission's notification or
presentation of a certified copy of the notification, the
Secretary shall terminate the suspension.
    (e) A person may request an administrative hearing to
contest a suspension or impending suspension made pursuant to
this Section as authorized under Section 2-118. The Commission
may reimburse the Secretary for all reasonable costs incurred
by the Secretary as a result of the filing of a certified
report pursuant to this Section, including, but not limited
to, the costs of providing notice required pursuant to
subsection (b) and the costs incurred by the Secretary in any
hearing conducted with respect to the report pursuant to this
subsection and any appeal from that hearing.
    (f) The Secretary and the Commission may adopt rules to
enable them to carry out their duties under this Section.
    (g) The Commission shall cooperate with the Secretary in
the administration of this Section and shall provide the
Secretary with any information the Secretary may deem
necessary for these purposes.
    The Secretary shall cooperate with the Commission in the
administration of this Section and shall provide any
information that the Commission may deem necessary, subject to
the limitations set forth in Section 2-123.
    (h) For purposes of this Section, "Commission" means the
Illinois Commerce Commission.
 
    (625 ILCS 5/18a-501)  (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18a-501)
    Sec. 18a-501. Liens against relocated vehicles.
    (a) Unauthorized vehicles removed and stored by a
commercial vehicle relocator in compliance with this Chapter
shall be subject to a possessory lien for services pursuant to
the Labor and Storage Lien (Small Amount) Act, and the
provisions of Section 1 of that Act relating to notice and
implied consent shall be deemed satisfied by compliance with
Section 18a-302 and item (10) of Section 18a-300. In no event
shall such lien be greater than the rate or rates established
in accordance with item (6) of Section 18a-200. In no event
shall such lien be increased or altered to reflect any charge
for services or materials rendered in addition to those
authorized by this Act. Every such lien shall be payable by use
of any major credit card, in addition to being payable in cash.
Upon receipt of a properly signed credit card receipt, a
relocator shall become a holder in due course, and neither the
holder of the credit card nor the company which issued the
credit card may thereafter refuse to remit payment in the
amount shown on the credit card receipt minus the ordinary
charge assessed by the credit card company for processing the
charge. The Commission may adopt regulations governing
acceptance of credit cards by a relocator.
    (b) Any personal property belonging to the vehicle owner
in a vehicle subject to a lien under this Section shall be
subject to that lien, excepting only: child restraint systems
as defined in Section 4 of the Child Passenger Protection Act
and other child booster seats; eyeglasses; food; medicine;
personal medical and health care devices, including hearing
instruments; perishable property; any operator's licenses; any
cash, credit cards, or checks or checkbooks; any wallet,
purse, or other property containing any operator's licenses,
social security cards, or other identifying documents or
materials, cash, credit cards, checks or checkbooks, or
passbooks; higher education textbooks and study materials; and
any personal property belonging to a person other than the
vehicle owner if that person provides adequate proof that the
personal property belongs to that person. The spouse, child,
mother, father, brother, or sister of the vehicle owner may
claim personal property excepted under this subsection if the
person claiming the personal property provides the commercial
vehicle relocator with the authorization of the vehicle owner.
(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)
 
    (625 ILCS 5/18d-105)
    Sec. 18d-105. Definitions. As used in this Chapter:
    (1) "Commercial vehicle safety relocator" or "safety
relocator" means any person or entity engaged in the business
of removing damaged or disabled vehicles from public or
private property by means of towing or otherwise, and
thereafter relocating and storing such vehicles.
    (2) "Commission" means the Illinois Commerce Commission.
    (3) "Beneficial owner" means an individual who either,
directly or indirectly: (a) exercises substantial control over
a person or entity; or (b) owns or controls at least 25% of the
person's or entity's ownership interests.
(Source: P.A. 95-562, eff. 7-1-08.)
 
    (625 ILCS 5/18d-115)
    Sec. 18d-115. Safety relocator registration required;
application disclosures.
    (a) It is unlawful for any commercial vehicle safety
relocator to operate in any county in which this Chapter is
applicable without a valid, current safety relocator's
registration certificate issued by the Commission.
    (b) The Commission shall issue safety relocator's
registration certificates in accordance with administrative
rules adopted by the Commission. The Commission shall require
that in addition to such other information as the Commission
may require by rule, any application for a safety relocator's
registration be verified and disclose whether:
        (1) the applicant has failed to satisfy any fine or
    penalty issued by the Commission;
        (2) any officer, employee, or agent of the applicant
    has failed to satisfy any fine or penalty issued by the
    Commission;
        (3) any person or entity other than the applicant with
    a beneficial owner in common with the applicant has failed
    to satisfy any fine or penalty issued by the Commission;
    or
        (4) the applicant has failed to satisfy a judgment
    entered by a court of competent jurisdiction for violation
    of this Chapter or rules of the Commission adopted under
    this Chapter.
    If the Commission finds that any failure to satisfy a fine
or penalty issued by the Commission or a judgment entered by a
court of competent jurisdiction was, or should have been,
disclosed by the applicant, the Commission may deny the
application.
    (c) The Commission may inquire into the conduct of any
commercial vehicle safety relocator, or the beneficial owner
of a commercial vehicle safety relocator, to determine if the
provisions of this Chapter and the rules of the Commission
adopted pursuant to this Chapter are being observed.
    (d) If the Commission finds any failure to satisfy a fine
or penalty issued by the Commission or a judgment entered by a
court of competent jurisdiction, as set forth in subsection
(b), it shall revoke the issued safety relocator's
registration unless the Commission finds, through clear and
convincing evidence, good cause for the failure.
It shall be unlawful for any commercial vehicle safety
relocator to operate in any county in which this Chapter is
applicable without a valid, current safety relocator's
registration certificate issued by the Illinois Commerce
Commission. The Illinois Commerce Commission shall issue
safety relocator's registration certificates in accordance
with administrative rules adopted by the Commission. The
Commission may, at any time during the term of the
registration certificate, make inquiry, into the licensee's
management or conduct of business or otherwise, to determine
that the provisions of this Chapter and the rules of the
Commission adopted under this Chapter are being observed.
(Source: P.A. 95-562, eff. 7-1-08.)
 
    (625 ILCS 5/18d-116 new)
    Sec. 18d-116. Business and storage location requirements;
proof of right to use premises.
    (a) The office address that the commercial vehicle safety
relocator lists on the application shall be the primary
business location of the firm where its records are
maintained, as required by Section 18d-135.
    (b) The application shall also list by address all
locations of secure areas for vehicle storage and redemption
maintained by the commercial vehicle safety relocator.
    (c) A safety relocator shall own or have a right to use and
occupy, under a written lease, all business locations and
vehicle storage and redemption locations listed on an
application.
    (d) The commercial vehicle safety relocator shall notify
the Commission in writing of any change in or addition of a
primary business location or location of secure areas for
vehicle storage and redemption.
    (e) Listing a primary business location or vehicle storage
and redemption location on an application or update form that
the safety relocator does not have a right to use or occupy by
virtue of ownership or a written lease shall be considered a
materially false statement for purposes of Section 18d-119.
Failure to list a primary business location or vehicle storage
and redemption location on an application or update form shall
be considered a material omission for purposes of Section
18d-119.
    (f) Each business and storage location shall conform to
Section 18d-130.
 
    (625 ILCS 5/18d-118 new)
    Sec. 18d-118. Liens against personal property in a towed
vehicle.
    (a) All child restraint systems, as defined in Section 4
of the Child Passenger Protection Act, and other child booster
seats; eyeglasses; food; medicine; or personal medical and
health care devices, including hearing instruments; perishable
property; any operator's licenses; any cash, credit cards, or
checks or checkbooks; any wallet, purse, or other property
containing any operator's license, social security card, or
other identifying documents or materials, cash, credit cards,
checks or checkbooks, or passbooks; higher education textbooks
and study materials in a vehicle towed pursuant to this
Chapter shall be exempt from a lien under the Labor and Storage
Lien (Small Amount) Act and may be reclaimed by the vehicle
owner or operator or the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of
the vehicle owner or operator, as long as the related person
provides the commercial vehicle safety relocator written
authorization from the owner of the personal property.
    (b) Other personal property in a relocated vehicle,
excluding cargo, is exempt from a lien under the Labor and
Storage Lien (Small Amount) Act and may be claimed by the owner
of such personal property, or by the spouse, child, parent, or
sibling of the owner of such personal property, as long as the
related person provides the commercial vehicle safety
relocator written authorization from the owner of such
personal property, and provided the vehicle owner or related
person provides the commercial vehicle safety relocator with
proof that the vehicle owner has an insurance policy
sufficient to pay applicable recovery, towing, and storage
charges. Notwithstanding other provisions of this Code, cargo
shall be subject to the tower's lien.
    The regulation of liens on personal property and
exceptions to those liens in the case of vehicles towed as a
result of being involved in a crash are exclusive powers and
functions of the State. A home rule unit may not regulate liens
on personal property and exceptions to those liens in the case
of vehicles towed as a result of being involved in a crash.
This Section is a denial and limitation of home rule powers and
functions under subsection (h) of Section 6 of Article VII of
the Illinois Constitution.
 
    (625 ILCS 5/18d-119 new)
    Sec. 18d-119. Making false statement; power to deny
application and revoke registration.
    (a) The Commission may deny, suspend, or revoke a
commercial vehicle safety relocator registration if the
applicant or licensee is found to have made a materially false
statement or a material omission in a filing with the
Commission, if the applicant has applied as a subterfuge for
another party in interest, or if the applicant's business is
operated, managed, or otherwise controlled by a person who was
not disclosed on the application.
    (b) The Commission shall not issue a commercial vehicle
safety relocator registration to an applicant who has been
denied or revoked pursuant to subsection (a) for a period of up
to 3 years from the date the application was denied or
registration was revoked.
 
    (625 ILCS 5/18d-120)
    Sec. 18d-120. Disclosure to vehicle owner or operator
before towing of damaged or disabled vehicle commences.
    (a) A commercial vehicle safety relocator shall not
commence the towing of a damaged or disabled vehicle without
specific authorization from the vehicle owner or operator
after the disclosures set forth in this Section.
    (b) Every commercial vehicle safety relocator shall,
before towing a damaged or disabled vehicle, give to each
vehicle owner or operator a written disclosure providing:
        (1) The formal business name of the commercial vehicle
    safety relocator, as registered with the Illinois
    Secretary of State, and its business address and telephone
    number.
        (2) The address of the location to which the vehicle
    shall be relocated.
        (3) The cost of all relocation, storage, and any other
    fees, without limitation, that the commercial vehicle
    safety relocator will charge for its services.
        (4) An itemized description of the vehicle owner or
    operator's rights under this Code, as follows:
    "As a customer, you also have the following rights under
Illinois law:
        (1) This written disclosure must be provided to you
    before your vehicle is towed, providing the business name,
    business address, address where the vehicle will be towed,
    and a reliable telephone number;
        (2) Before towing, you must be advised of the price of
    all services;
        (3) Upon your demand, a final invoice itemizing all
    charges, as well as any damage to the vehicle upon its
    receipt and return to you, must be provided;
        (4) Upon your demand, your vehicle must be returned
    during business hours, upon your prompt payment of all
    reasonable fees;
        (5) You have the right to pay all charges in cash or by
    major credit card;
        (6) Upon your demand, you must be provided with proof
    of the existence of mandatory insurance insuring against
    all risks associated with the transportation and storage
    of your vehicle."
    (c) The commercial vehicle safety relocator shall provide
a copy of the completed disclosure required by this Section to
the vehicle owner or operator, before towing the damaged or
disabled vehicle, and shall maintain an identical copy of the
completed disclosure in its records for a minimum of 5 years
after the transaction concludes.
    (d) If the vehicle owner or operator is incapacitated,
incompetent, or otherwise unable to knowingly accept receipt
of the disclosure described in this Section, the commercial
vehicle safety relocator shall provide a completed copy of the
disclosure to local law enforcement and, if known, the vehicle
owner or operator's automobile insurance company.
    (e) If the commercial vehicle safety relocator fails to
comply with the requirements of this Section, the commercial
vehicle safety relocator shall be prohibited from seeking any
compensation whatsoever from the vehicle owner or operator,
including but not limited to any towing, storage, or other
incidental fees. Furthermore, if the commercial vehicle safety
relocator or operator fails to comply with the requirements of
this Section, any contracts entered into by the commercial
vehicle safety relocator and the vehicle owner or operator
shall be deemed null, void, and unenforceable.
    (f) The authorization and disclosures required under this
Section are not required if a tow was authorized by a law
enforcement agency or officer, as evidenced by a tow sheet
issued by the law enforcement agency or officer. If no tow
sheet was issued by the authorizing law enforcement agency or
officer, then the evidence may be presented through records of
the safety relocator showing the date and time of
authorization, the department and star or badge number of the
officer from whom authorization was received, and the incident
report number assigned by the law enforcement agency or
officer.
(Source: P.A. 95-562, eff. 7-1-08.)
 
    (625 ILCS 5/18d-121 new)
    Sec. 18d-121. Vehicle relocation.
    (a) All vehicles subject to this Chapter shall be
relocated to a storage and redemption lot registered with the
Commission unless the owner or operator requests another
location in writing. This subsection shall not apply to
vehicles relocated pursuant to authorization from a law
enforcement agency or official.
    (b) Vehicles subject to this Chapter shall be released
only after payment of applicable recovery, towing, and storage
charges, as long as the charges were disclosed in compliance
with Section 18d-120 or are exempt from disclosure under
subsection (f) of Section 18d-120.
 
    (625 ILCS 5/18d-155)
    Sec. 18d-155. (a) The Commission may demand documentation
or investigate business practices by a commercial vehicle
safety relocator to determine compliance with this Chapter and
rules adopted by the Commission pursuant to this Chapter.
    (b) Failure to comply with any Section of this Chapter, or
any rules adopted by the Commission pursuant to this Chapter,
as determined by the Commission shall subject a commercial
vehicle safety relocator to penalties imposed by the
Commission. Penalties may include suspension or revocation of
registration certificate and monetary fines and civil
penalties up to $1,000 for each violation. Each day of a
continuing violation of subsection (a) of this Section shall
be a separate violation.
    (c) In addition to a person or entity deemed to be a
commercial vehicle safety relocator pursuant to Section
18d-105, any officer of a corporation, manager of a limited
liability company, partner of a partnership, or employee or
agent of any such entity who knowingly permits a commercial
vehicle safety relocator to violate provisions of this Chapter
or rules adopted by the Commission pursuant to this Chapter
shall be subject to penalties as provided in this Section.
    (d) Every commercial vehicle safety relocator must
designate and maintain a registered agent for service of
process. The registered agent must have a physical address
within the State where the registered agent can receive legal
documents and official notices. This address must be a
physical location, not a post office box, and must be open and
staffed during regular business hours.
The Illinois Commerce Commission may request documentation or
investigate business practices by a commercial vehicle safety
relocator to determine compliance with this Chapter. Failure
to comply with any Section of this Chapter, as determined by
the Illinois Commerce Commission shall subject a commercial
vehicle safety relocator to penalties imposed by the Illinois
Commerce Commission. Penalties may include suspension of
registration certificate and monetary fines up to $1,000 for
each violation.
(Source: P.A. 95-562, eff. 7-1-08.)
 
    (625 ILCS 5/18d-157 new)
    Sec. 18d-157. Vehicle impoundment.
    (a) The Commission police may seize and impound a tow
truck by authorizing the towing and storage of the tow truck
where the officer has probable cause to believe that:
        (1) the tow truck is being used, or was used, to remove
    a damaged or disabled vehicle from public or private
    property while the owner or operator of the tow truck does
    not hold a valid, current safety relocator's registration
    certificate issued by the Commission; or
        (2) the registered owner of the tow truck owes past
    due fines, civil penalties, or fees to the Commission.
    (b) At the time the vehicle is towed, the officer ordering
the tow shall provide to the person in control of the tow truck
a copy of the vehicle impoundment report.
    The Commission shall mail a notice of impoundment to all
registered owners and lienholders within 2 business days after
the date the vehicle was impounded if the vehicle is
registered in this State. If the vehicle is registered in a
jurisdiction other than this State, the Commission shall
request owner and lienholder information from the appropriate
agency within 2 business days after the date the vehicle was
impounded and shall mail a notice of impoundment to all
registered owners and lienholders within 2 business days after
receiving the information.
    Notices shall be mailed by certified mail, return receipt
requested, to the addresses on file with the Secretary of
State, or in the case of a foreign-registered vehicle, to the
addresses on file with the State where the vehicle is
registered.
    At minimum, the notice of impoundment shall contain:
        (1) in bold typeface, a heading with the words "Notice
    of Impoundment";
        (2) a description of the impounded tow truck;
        (3) the reason for impoundment;
        (4) the location where the impounded tow truck is
    being stored;
        (5) the potential fines, civil penalties, and fees
    that must be satisfied to reclaim the tow truck;
        (6) procedures to request a hearing before the
    Commission; and
        (7) a notice that if the tow truck remains unclaimed,
    it may be sold or disposed of in accordance with
    applicable law.
    (c) Before a vehicle impounded under this Section may be
released, the owner or lienholder must obtain a release from
the Commission and pay all storage and towing fees to the
towing service.
    To obtain a release from the Commission, the owner or
lienholder shall furnish to the Commission proof of ownership,
such as title, vehicle registration, or bill of sale, or right
to possession of the vehicle and valid identification, and:
        (1) pay the $1,000 administrative fine plus any fines
    for concurrent violations, and pay all other fines, civil
    penalties, and fees owed to the Commission. Such payment
    shall constitute an admission of liability and a waiver of
    the right to a hearing;
        (2) post a bond in the amount of the $1,000
    administrative fine plus any fines for concurrent
    violations, which bond shall be held by the Commission;
    pay all other unpaid fines, civil penalties, and fees owed
    to the Commission; and request a hearing to contest the
    impoundment; or
        (3) request a hearing. A release shall not be issued
    under this subparagraph until ordered by the Commission
    after the conclusion of the hearing and any fines, civil
    penalties or fees ordered have been paid.
    Fines and civil penalties and posting of bond may be paid
by certified or cashier's check or money order.
    (d) A request for hearing shall, unless otherwise provided
for by the Commission, be mailed to the Commission within 15
calendar days after the mailing date of the notice of
impoundment.
    The Commission shall conduct a hearing within 10 business
days after receipt of a request for hearing.
    The Commission shall determine, by a preponderance of the
evidence, whether the vehicle should be released without
payment of the administrative fine and any fines for
concurrent violations. The failure of the owner of record to
appear at the hearing or to request a continuance in a timely
manner shall be deemed a waiver of the right to a hearing, and
a default order in favor of the Commission may be entered.
    If, after the hearing, the Commission determines that the
vehicle should be released without payment of the
administrative fine and any fines for concurrent violations,
any bond posted shall be refunded.
    If, after the hearing, the Commission determines that the
vehicle should not be released without payment of the
administrative fine and any fines for concurrent violations,
the bond shall be forfeited to the Commission in the amount of
the fines, civil penalties, and fees owed, and any surplus
shall be refunded.
    Fines, civil penalties, and fees imposed pursuant to this
Chapter shall constitute a debt owed to the Commission, which
may be enforced in any manner provided for by law. Any cash
bond posted pursuant to this Section shall be applied to the
fines, civil penalties, and fees owed.
    (e) Except as otherwise provided in this Section, a
vehicle shall continue to be impounded until:
        (1) the vehicle has been reclaimed pursuant to
    subsection (d); or
        (2) the vehicle or equipment is deemed unclaimed.
    (f) Any vehicle not reclaimed within 10 working days after
the expiration of the time during which the owner of record may
seek judicial review of the Commission's action, or within 10
working days after a final judgment in favor of the
Commission, may be disposed of as an unclaimed vehicle in
accordance with Sections 4-208 and 4-209.
 
    (625 ILCS 5/18d-158 new)
    Sec. 18d-158. Failure to satisfy fines or penalties;
referral to Secretary of State.
    (a) In addition to any other remedies provided by law, the
Commission may report any person with unpaid fees, fines, or
penalties issued by the Commission to the Secretary of State
for suspension of the person's tow truck registrations.
    (b) Prior to referral under this Section, the Commission
shall issue a final demand for payment which shall clearly
state that failure to pay the outstanding fines or penalties
by the date provided in the demand will result in a referral to
the Secretary of State for the suspension of that person's tow
truck registrations in accordance with Section 3-704.4.