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Public Act 104-0133 |
SB2040 Enrolled | LRB104 10361 LNS 20436 b |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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. |
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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 |
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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) |
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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: |
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(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 |
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(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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 .) |
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(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 |
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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. |
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(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 |
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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, |
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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 |
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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. |
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(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. |