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Bartlett police seek expanded authority over inoperable vehicles, propose towing contract extension through 2032
Summary
Police Chief Conway presented an ordinance to treat certain inoperable vehicles as public nuisances, shift enforcement to police with an educational first approach and a 14‑day internal compliance window, and recommended a five‑year extension of Bartlett’s towing agreement with Bloomingdale Rescue Recovery to April 30, 2032; the committee asked for clarifications and the ordinance will return for further consideration.
The Committee of the Whole reviewed proposed changes to Bartlett’s municipal code governing inoperable vehicles and an amendment extending the village’s towing contract with Bloomingdale Rescue Recovery.
Chairman Swansky introduced the Police/Fire Committee item. Police Chief Conway described a shift in enforcement from planning/code staff to the police department for certain vehicle nuisances, citing recent resident complaints about vehicles being worked on in driveways, vehicles on blocks, and other conditions. Chief Conway said the proposed ordinance would label specified inoperable vehicles as public nuisances, set a staged, educational compliance process (the village will use a 14‑day internal education window in practice in lieu of the statutory seven days), and allow adjudication hearings, fines and—if necessary—seizure with a county warrant for persistent noncompliance. He said the village typically receives about 10–25 such complaints per year.
Chief Conway recommended extending the Bloomingdale Rescue Recovery towing agreement through April 30, 2032, updating towing and storage fees, payment and fee‑posting requirements, and disposal procedures. He noted Bloomingdale has provided reliable service and staff support for police and public works in prior years.
Board members pressed for procedural clarity: how many complaints the village has received, the adjudication and holding timelines, how an unclaimed vehicle is certified for disposal, and whether the village had vetted other tow companies. Members raised concerns about residents temporarily repairing vehicles or waiting on insurance — Chief Conway said officers would exercise discretion and focus on education first and that residents would generally be given the benefit of the doubt where reasonable.
The committee did not adopt the ordinance or execute the contract amendment at the meeting; staff indicated the item will return with clarified language and implementation details. Chief Conway emphasized the approach is intended to gain compliance rather than to punish residents.
