New towing law makes sense for the Q-C, yet law only covers Chicago area

By Times staff | Saturday, July 05, 2008

If it’s good enough for Chicagoland residents, it’s good enough for us.

Beginning this month, any Chicagoland area towing company must adhere to rules that, frankly, we’re amazed have to be spelled out in state law. Under the new law effective July 1, these towing companies must:

- Disclose all charges and fees before the service is provided.

- Accept major credit cards and cash.

- Return the vehicle promptly after payment has been made.

This is hardly onerous government regulation. But stories abound of tow truck firms that grab cars, take them to undisclosed or inaccessible locations then charge exorbitant fees. State lawmakers this year acted, but with a limited law that applies only to select, metro Chicago-area counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Will and Winnebago.

Illinois Commerce Commission enforcement commander Craig Baner said the law was intended to be effective statewide. However state lawmakers amended it to apply to select Chicago-area counties. The law can be extended to other counties by a simple majority vote of the county board. McHenry County board members were the first to pass it and the law goes into effect there on Sept. 1.

We hope the Illinois Quad-City counties join them. Though we’ve not heard stories about towing company rip offs, the principles outlined in this legislation are good for those businesses and their customers.

A particularly useful provision, Baner said, requires towing companies to notify police agencies when cars are towed without the owners’ knowledge. That includes towing from accident scenes where the owner is hospitalized, or from restricted parking areas. Previously, police had no ability or obligation to protect owners from unscrupulous tow companies. Now, if the owner cannot be reached, the law requires tow operators to inform local police and, if possible, the owner’s insurer of the location of the car and the cost of the service.

Rock Island County and our other Illinois Quad-City counties should protect vehicle owners and bolster the credibility of our community’s towing companies with a simple majority vote to be included under the Illinois state law.

Then, we hope, Iowa lawmakers and communities can follow suit.