Cunningham’s measure to rein in rogue towing companies signed into law

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Bill Cunningham's measure to protect vehicle owners by updating towing regulations often abused by rogue towing companies was signed into law.

"We have residents getting a surprise $1,500 bill when all they're trying to do is pick up a vehicle that was stolen from outside their residence," said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. "This measure will stop towing companies from charging any storage fees on stolen vehicles and makes sure that a proper notification process is set up."

The legislation was brought to Cunningham from a constituent of the 18^th District. The constituent's vehicle was stolen from outside their residence in Chicago and was eventually located by law enforcement and towed in Alsip. The constituent did not find out where their vehicle was located until a week after it was recovered, receiving a letter in the mail from a suburban towing company that was holding the vehicle. When the constituent went to recover the vehicle, they were told they would have to pay a fee of $1,500 and were not allowed to recover a hearing aid from the vehicle until the fee was paid.

Cunningham's law adds medical devices and other items to the list of property that can be recovered from a towed vehicle without payment. Cunningham also discovered that there was an issue with the notification process when a vehicle is stolen and later towed. To address that issue, the measure requires towing companies to provide written notice to the vehicle's owner within two days of towing. Additionally, if the owner recovers the vehicle within seven days, the towing company is prohibited from charging any storage fees. To streamline the notification process, the measure also requires law enforcement to give towing companies the name and mailing address of the vehicle owner when a tow is authorized.

"What happened to this Mt. Greenwood resident shouldn't happen ever again in our state," said Cunningham. "We're putting rules and regulations in place for an industry that needs it."

Senate Bill 2654 was signed into law on Friday and takes effect Jan. 1, 2025.