Proposed Illinois bill targets towing companies that prey on vulnerable drivers

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., (KBSI) — A proposed Illinois bill would crackdown on towing companies that prey on vulnerable drivers.

At a Springfield press conference Wednesday, Illinois Commerce Commission police joined State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) and State Representative Will Davis (D-East Hazel Crest) in support of a bill that would reform the Illinois Commercial Safety Towing Law.

The legislators said rogue towing companies listen to police scanners and prey on people in traumatic situations.

ICC Police Chief Ruben Ramirez Jr. said predatory towers — also referred to as wreck chasers — have been a consistent thorn in their side.

“One of the most common complaints we hear is that the tower lied about being called by the driver’s insurance company,” he said. “It’s an all too common scenario — a dishonest tow truck driver pulls up to the scene of an accident, misrepresents their affiliation with the insurance company and takes the car before the driver can think to say no to the tow.”

State Representative Will Davis said too often his office receives calls from panicked victims of such a situation who are unable to retrieve their vehicle.

“The tow operator agrees to take the vehicles to a requested location only for the owner to realize hours, sometimes days later, that their vehicle has never arrived,” he said. “This leaves folks stranded for weeks — unable to drive to work, organize school pickups, or take a sick family member to a doctor’s appointment.”

Senate Bill 2040 would crack down on loopholes in the current law, allowing ICC police to take more action against towing companies in violation. This includes:

• impounding tow trucks that violate state safety tow laws,
• revoking license plates for tow trucks with unpaid fines,
• preventing known violators from reregistering under a new business name,
• registering business and storage locations with proof of ownership/lease,
• limiting tow locations to registered storage lots, licensed repair shops, or the motorist’s requested location,
• prohibiting tow operators from placing liens against essentials left in a vehicle, such as car seats, medical devices, and identifying documents, and
• barring any applicant making false statements from holding a commercial vehicle safety relocator registration for three years.

Representative Davis clarified that the bill does not have to do with towing in relation to parking violations. He said members of law enforcement monitor parking meters. If a person is in violation and is eligible to be towed, police will call a licensed tow dealer or the city tows.