Campton Hills amends impoundment ordinance to allow towing for suspended or revoked registrations

The Campton Hills Village Board voted to approve Ordinance 205-7, an amendment to the Village Code that adds suspended and revoked vehicle registrations to the list of reasons a vehicle may be impounded.

"This ordinance is just adding it to the list of reasons why a vehicle can be impounded," Trustee Muncy said when moving the ordinance. Trustee Williams seconded the motion. In explaining the change, Police Chief James Levand said officers will use the power sparingly and that the amendment targets repeat or extreme cases in which a driver lacks proof of insurance or has a pattern of violations.

Attorney Forte and Chief Levand told trustees the Secretary of State can quickly provide the reason for a registration suspension, and that some suspensions arise from matters such as unpaid tolls or red-light camera violations. Trustee Janet asked whether the ordinance language could be narrowly tailored so that the village's enforcement focus would remain on individuals presenting a clear safety risk rather than on residents with administrative or lower-level suspensions.

Chief Levand described a recent case in which a vehicle towed for suspended registration was later corrected by the owner; staff said the chief has discretion to reduce or waive penalties after the owner provided proof of insurance and cleared the suspension.

Roll call on the ordinance recorded all trustees voting aye and the motion passed.

Ending: The ordinance change places suspended or revoked registration among the listed grounds for impoundment while village officials said officers retain discretion to avoid impounding vehicles for minor or inadvertent infractions.