Lincolnwood trustees approved earlier this month to start collecting a towing fee from owners of vehicles that are involved in certain crimes, including driving under the influence incidents.
The measure passed at the April 3 Village Board meeting allows Lincolnwood to begin charging a $500 administrative fee to motorists whose vehicle ends up being impounded following involvement in particular crimes outlined in state law.
“The Illinois Vehicle Code allows for municipalities to assess an administrative towing fee for vehicles towed in connection with the following offenses: DUI, drug-related offenses, driving without a valid driver’s license, theft, and any other misdemeanor or felony under the Illinois Criminal Code,” village officials wrote in a memo to trustees, urging passage of the ordinance.
Officials said the village had not been assessing that fee previously.
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During officials’ discussion of the fiscal year 2018-2019 budget, staff members presented the idea of implementing the towing fee, according to a memo from Village Manager Tim Wiberg’s office that was presented to trustees.
In the memo, village staff pointed to 11 nearby municipalities that already charge the fee.
The $500 would be on top of towing and vehicle storage costs, officials said.
The resolution states that the vehicle owner – even if they were not the driver during the incident – would be notified of the impoundment and fee, and would be able to contest it all.
A vehicle owner may not be on the hook for the fee if the vehicle had been reported stolen, officials said.
The administrative towing fee is expected to fetch the village $20,000 annually, according to village officials.
Kyra Senese is a freelancer.