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Towing industry asks council to update impound fees as city holds public hearing on ordinance
Summary
Industry witnesses told the council that administrative, towing and storage costs have risen dramatically and requested that the city clarify maximum tow rates in the proposed ordinance; councilmembers signaled a desire to review rates more regularly and consider clarifying language.
Council opened a public hearing on an ordinance to amend the municipal code to increase administrative fees and the maximum fee charged for storage of vehicles impounded after unauthorized towing.
Carly Rosenthal, office manager for Illinois Towing, testified that administrative and storage costs have increased with inflation and higher wages, listing examples: higher payroll, increased certified-mail costs and growing insurance and equipment expenses. She said the administrative fee covers required research, notices and customer service work and asked council to ensure the ordinance’s references to department impound rates are clearly published so companies and the public know the applicable maximum tow fee.
Attorney Ted Turnblazer also spoke in support. Councilmember Hugg and others noted the city ordinance calls for a biennial review of tow rates and said it may be time to update the schedule; staff confirmed this hearing was the public hearing stage and amendments could be proposed later. The hearing closed after proponents spoke; no final rate changes were adopted at this meeting.
