The Chicago City Council passed an ordinance introduced by Alderman Gilbert Villegas requiring towing companies to publicly disclose fee schedules, accept non-cash payments, register all fees with the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, and grant vehicle owners access to personal belongings, according to Tow Industry Week. Operators are prohibited from towing vehicles to secondary storage facilities without the owner's written consent. Violators face fines of $10,000 and potential seizure of towing vehicles. The measure also allows consumers to pursue legal action against operators who violate the ordinance. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, predatory towing claims increased 89% nationwide in recent years.
Operator takeaway
Register your fee schedule publicly, accept cards, and document written consent on every non-consent tow — these are the exact compliance items Chicago is enforcing with $10,000 penalties.