55 ILCS 5/ Counties Code.

(55 ILCS 5/5-12001.1)

Sec. 5-12001.1. Authority to regulate certain specified facilities of a telecommunications carrier and to regulate, pursuant to subsections (a) through (g), AM broadcast towers and facilities.

(a) Notwithstanding any other Section in this Division, the county board or board of county commissioners of any county shall have the power to regulate the location of the facilities, as defined in subsection (c), of a telecommunications carrier or AM broadcast station established outside the corporate limits of cities, villages, and incorporated towns that have municipal zoning ordinances in effect. The power shall only be exercised to the extent and in the manner set forth in this Section.

(b) The provisions of this Section shall not abridge any rights created by or authority confirmed in the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, P.L. 104-104.

(c) As used in this Section, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "county jurisdiction area" means those portions of a county that lie outside the corporate limits of cities, villages, and incorporated towns that have municipal zoning ordinances in effect;

(2) "county board" means the county board or board of county commissioners of any county;

(3) "residential zoning district" means a zoning district that is designated under a county zoning ordinance and is zoned predominantly for residential uses;

(4) "non-residential zoning district" means the county jurisdiction area of a county, except for those portions within a residential zoning district;

(5) "residentially zoned lot" means a zoning lot in a residential zoning district;

(6) "non-residentially zoned lot" means a zoning lot in a non-residential zoning district;

(7) "telecommunications carrier" means a telecommunications carrier as defined in the Public Utilities Act as of January 1, 1997;

(8) "facility" means that part of the signal distribution system used or operated by a telecommunications carrier or AM broadcast station under a license from the FCC consisting of a combination of improvements and equipment including (i) one or more antennas, (ii) a supporting structure and the hardware by which antennas are attached; (iii) equipment housing; and (iv) ancillary equipment such as signal transmission cables and miscellaneous hardware;

(9) "FAA" means the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States Department of Transportation;

(10) "FCC" means the Federal Communications Commission;

(11) "antenna" means an antenna device by which radio signals are transmitted, received, or both;

(12) "supporting structure" means a structure, whether an antenna tower or another type of structure, that supports one or more antennas as part of a facility;

(13) "qualifying structure" means a supporting structure that is (i) an existing structure, if the height of the facility, including the structure, is not more than 15 feet higher than the structure just before the facility is installed, or (ii) a substantially similar, substantially same-location replacement of an existing structure, if the height of the facility, including the replacement structure, is not more than 15 feet higher than the height of the existing structure just before the facility is installed;

(14) "equipment housing" means a combination of one or more equipment buildings or enclosures housing equipment that operates in conjunction with the antennas of a facility, and the equipment itself;

(15) "height" of a facility means the total height of the facility's supporting structure and any antennas that will extend above the top of the supporting structure; however, if the supporting structure's foundation extends more than 3 feet above the uppermost ground level along the perimeter of the foundation, then each full foot in excess of 3 feet shall be counted as an additional foot of facility height. The height of a facility's supporting structure is to be measured from the highest point of the supporting structure's foundation;

(16) "facility lot" means the zoning lot on which a facility is or will be located;

(17) "principal residential building" has its common meaning but shall not include any building under the same ownership as the land of the facility lot. "Principal residential building" shall not include any structure that is not designed for human habitation;

(18) "horizontal separation distance" means the distance measured from the center of the base of the facility's supporting structure to the point where the ground meets a vertical wall of a principal residential building;

(19) "lot line set back distance" means the distance measured from the center of the base of the facility's supporting structure to the nearest point on the common lot line between the facility lot and the nearest residentially zoned lot. If there is no common lot line, the measurement shall be made to the nearest point on the lot line of the nearest residentially zoned lot without deducting the width of any intervening right of way; and

(20) "AM broadcast station" means a facility and one or more towers for the purpose of transmitting communication in the 540 kHz to 1700 kHz band for public reception authorized by the FCC.

(d) In choosing a location for a facility, a telecommunications carrier or AM broadcast station shall consider the following:

(1) A non-residentially zoned lot is the most desirable location.

(2) A residentially zoned lot that is not used for residential purposes is the second most desirable location.

(3) A residentially zoned lot that is 2 acres or more in size and is used for residential purposes is the third most desirable location.

(4) A residentially zoned lot that is less than 2 acres in size and is used for residential purposes is the least desirable location.

The size of a lot shall be the lot's gross area in square feet without deduction of any unbuildable or unusable land, any roadway, or any other easement.

(e) In designing a facility, a telecommunications carrier or AM broadcast station shall consider the following guidelines:

(1) No building or tower that is part of a facility should encroach onto any recorded easement prohibiting the encroachment unless the grantees of the easement have given their approval.

(2) Lighting should be installed for security and safety purposes only. Except with respect to lighting required by the FCC or FAA, all lighting should be shielded so that no glare extends substantially beyond the boundaries of a facility.

(3) No facility should encroach onto an existing septic field.

(4) Any facility located in a special flood hazard area or wetland should meet the legal requirements for those lands.

(5) Existing trees more than 3 inches in diameter should be preserved if reasonably feasible during construction. If any tree more than 3 inches in diameter is removed during construction a tree 3 inches or more in diameter of the same or a similar species shall be planted as a replacement if reasonably feasible. Tree diameter shall be measured at a point 3 feet above ground level.

(6) If any elevation of a facility faces an existing, adjoining residential use within a residential zoning district, low maintenance landscaping should be provided on or near the facility lot to provide at least partial screening of the facility. The quantity and type of that landscaping should be in accordance with any county landscaping regulations of general applicability, except that paragraph (5) of this subsection (e) shall control over any tree-related regulations imposing a greater burden.

(7) Fencing should be installed around a facility. The height and materials of the fencing should be in accordance with any county fence regulations of general applicability.

(8) Any building that is part of a facility located adjacent to a residentially zoned lot should be designed with exterior materials and colors that are reasonably compatible with the residential character of the area.

(f) The following provisions shall apply to all facilities established in any county jurisdiction area (i) after the effective date of the amendatory Act of 1997 with respect to telecommunications carriers and (ii) after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly with respect to AM broadcast stations:

(1) Except as provided in this Section, no yard or set back regulations shall apply to or be required for a facility.

(2) A facility may be located on the same zoning lot as one or more other structures or uses without violating any ordinance or regulation that prohibits or limits multiple structures, buildings, or uses on a zoning lot.

(3) No minimum lot area, width, or depth shall be required for a facility, and unless the facility is to be manned on a regular, daily basis, no off-street parking spaces shall be required for a facility. If the facility is to be manned on a regular, daily basis, one off-street parking space shall be provided for each employee regularly at the facility. No loading facilities are required.

(4) No portion of a facility's supporting structure or equipment housing shall be less than 15 feet from the front lot line of the facility lot or less than 10 feet from any other lot line.

(5) No bulk regulations or lot coverage, building coverage, or floor area ratio limitations shall be applied to a facility or to any existing use or structure coincident with the establishment of a facility. Except as provided in this Section, no height limits or restrictions shall apply to a facility.

(6) A county's review of a building permit application for a facility shall be completed within 30 days. If a decision of the county board is required to permit the establishment of a facility, the county's review of the application shall be simultaneous with the process leading to the county board's decision.

(7) The improvements and equipment comprising the facility may be wholly or partly freestanding or wholly or partly attached to, enclosed in, or installed in or on a structure or structures.

(8) Any public hearing authorized under this Section shall be conducted in a manner determined by the county board. Notice of any such public hearing shall be published at least 15 days before the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county. Notice of any such public hearing shall also be sent by certified mail at least 15 days prior to the hearing to the owners of record of all residential property that is adjacent to the lot upon which the facility is proposed to be sited.

(9) Any decision regarding a facility by the county board or a county agency or official shall be supported by written findings of fact. The circuit court shall have jurisdiction to review the reasonableness of any adverse decision and the plaintiff shall bear the burden of proof, but there shall be no presumption of the validity of the decision.

(10) Thirty days prior to the issuance of a building permit for a facility necessitating the erection of a new tower, the permit applicant shall provide written notice of its intent to construct the facility to the State Representative and the State Senator of the district in which the subject facility is to be constructed and all county board members for the county board district in the county in which the subject facility is to be constructed. This notice shall include, but not be limited to, the following information: (i) the name, address, and telephone number of the company responsible for the construction of the facility; (ii) the name, address, and telephone number of the governmental entity authorized to issue the building permit; and (iii) the location of the proposed facility. The applicant shall demonstrate compliance with the notice requirements set forth in this item (10) by submitting certified mail receipts or equivalent mail service receipts at the same time that the applicant submits the permit application.

(g) The following provisions shall apply to all facilities established (i) after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1997 with respect to telecommunications carriers and (ii) after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly with respect to AM broadcast stations in the county jurisdiction area of any county with a population of less than 180,000:

(1) A facility is permitted if its supporting structure is a qualifying structure or if both of the following conditions are met:

(A) the height of the facility shall not exceed 200 feet, except that if a facility is located more than one and one-half miles from the corporate limits of any municipality with a population of 25,000 or more the height of the facility shall not exceed 350 feet; and

(B) the horizontal separation distance to the nearest principal residential building shall not be less than the height of the supporting structure; except that if the supporting structure exceeds 99 feet in height, the horizontal separation distance to the nearest principal residential building shall be at least 100 feet or 80% of the height of the supporting structure, whichever is greater. Compliance with this paragraph shall only be evaluated as of the time that a building permit application for the facility is submitted. If the supporting structure is not an antenna tower this paragraph is satisfied.

(2) Unless a facility is permitted under paragraph (1) of this subsection (g), a facility can be established only after the county board gives its approval following consideration of the provisions of paragraph (3) of this subsection (g). The county board may give its approval after one public hearing on the proposal, but only by the favorable vote of a majority of the members present at a meeting held no later than 75 days after submission of a complete application by the telecommunications carrier. If the county board fails to act on the application within 75 days after its submission, the application shall be deemed to have been approved. No more than one public hearing shall be required.

(3) For purposes of paragraph (2) of this subsection (g), the following siting considerations, but no other matter, shall be considered by the county board or any other body conducting the public hearing:

(A) the criteria in subsection (d) of this Section;

(B) whether a substantial adverse effect on public safety will result from some aspect of the facility's design or proposed construction, but only if that aspect of design or construction is modifiable by the applicant;

(C) the benefits to be derived by the users of the services to be provided or enhanced by the facility and whether public safety and emergency response capabilities would benefit by the establishment of the facility;

(D) the existing uses on adjacent and nearby properties; and

(E) the extent to which the design of the proposed facility reflects compliance with subsection (e) of this Section.

(4) On judicial review of an adverse decision, the issue shall be the reasonableness of the county board's decision in light of the evidence presented on the siting considerations and the well-reasoned recommendations of any other body that conducts the public hearing.

(h) The following provisions shall apply to all facilities established after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1997 in the county jurisdiction area of any county with a population of 180,000 or more. A facility is permitted in any zoning district subject to the following:

(1) A facility shall not be located on a lot under paragraph (4) of subsection (d) unless a variation is granted by the county board under paragraph (4) of this subsection (h).

(2) Unless a height variation is granted by the county board, the height of a facility shall not exceed 75 feet if the facility will be located in a residential zoning district or 200 feet if the facility will be located in a non-residential zoning district. However, the height of a facility may exceed the height limit in this paragraph, and no height variation shall be required, if the supporting structure is a qualifying structure.

(3) The improvements and equipment of the facility shall be placed to comply with the requirements of this paragraph at the time a building permit application for the facility is submitted. If the supporting structure is an antenna tower other than a qualifying structure then (i) if the facility will be located in a residential zoning district the lot line set back distance to the nearest residentially zoned lot shall be at least 50% of the height of the facility's supporting structure or (ii) if the facility will be located in a non-residential zoning district the horizontal separation distance to the nearest principal residential building shall be at least equal to the height of the facility's supporting structure.

(4) The county board may grant variations for any of the regulations, conditions, and restrictions of this subsection (h), after one public hearing on the proposed variations held at a zoning or other appropriate committee meeting with proper notice given as provided in this Section, by a favorable vote of a majority of the members present at a meeting held no later than 75 days after submission of an application by the telecommunications carrier. If the county board fails to act on the application within 75 days after submission, the application shall be deemed to have been approved. In its consideration of an application for variations, the county board, and any other body conducting the public hearing, shall consider the following, and no other matters:

(A) whether, but for the granting of a variation, the service that the telecommunications carrier seeks to enhance or provide with the proposed facility will be less available, impaired, or diminished in quality, quantity, or scope of coverage;

(B) whether the conditions upon which the application for variations is based are unique in some respect or, if not, whether the strict application of the regulations would result in a hardship on the telecommunications carrier;

(C) whether a substantial adverse effect on public safety will result from some aspect of the facility's design or proposed construction, but only if that aspect of design or construction is modifiable by the applicant;

(D) whether there are benefits to be derived by the users of the services to be provided or enhanced by the facility and whether public safety and emergency response capabilities would benefit by the establishment of the facility; and

(E) the extent to which the design of the proposed facility reflects compliance with subsection (e) of this Section.

No more than one public hearing shall be required.

(5) On judicial review of an adverse decision, the issue shall be the reasonableness of the county board's decision in light of the evidence presented and the well-reasoned recommendations of any other body that conducted the public hearing.

(i) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, 30 days prior to the issuance of any permits for a new telecommunications facility within a county, the telecommunications carrier constructing the facility shall provide written notice of its intent to construct the facility. The notice shall include, but not be limited to, the following information: (i) the name, address, and telephone number of the company responsible for the construction of the facility, (ii) the address and telephone number of the governmental entity that is to issue the building permit for the telecommunications facility, (iii) a site plan and site map of sufficient specificity to indicate both the location of the parcel where the telecommunications facility is to be constructed and the location of all the telecommunications facilities within that parcel, and (iv) the property index number and common address of the parcel where the telecommunications facility is to be located. The notice shall not contain any material that appears to be an advertisement for the telecommunications carrier or any services provided by the telecommunications carrier. The notice shall be provided in person, by overnight private courier, or by certified mail to all owners of property within 250 feet of the parcel in which the telecommunications carrier has a leasehold or ownership interest. For the purposes of this notice requirement, "owners" means those persons or entities identified from the authentic tax records of the county in which the telecommunications facility is to be located. If, after a bona fide effort by the telecommunications carrier to determine the owner and his or her address, the owner of the property on whom the notice must be served cannot be found at the owner's last known address, or if the mailed notice is returned because the owner cannot be found at the last known address, the notice requirement of this paragraph is deemed satisfied.

(Source: P.A. 96-696, eff. 1-1-10; 97-242, eff. 8-4-11; 97-496, eff. 8-22-11; 97-813, eff. 7-13-12.)

(55 ILCS 5/5-12001.2)

Sec. 5-12001.2. Regulation of telecommunications facilities; Lake County pilot project. In addition to any other requirements under this Division concerning the regulation of telecommunications facilities and except as provided by the Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act, the following applies to any new telecommunications facilities in Lake County that are not AM telecommunications towers or facilities:

(a) For every new wireless telecommunications facility requiring a new tower structure, a telecommunications carrier shall provide the county with documentation consisting of the proposed location, a site plan, and an elevation that sufficiently describes a proposed wireless facility location.

(b) The county shall have 7 days to review the facility proposal and contact the telecommunications carrier in writing via e-mail or other written means as specified by the telecommunications carrier. This written communication shall either approve the proposed location or request a meeting to review other possible alternative locations. If requested, the meeting shall take place within 7 days after the date of the written communication.

(c) At the meeting, the telecommunications carrier shall provide the county documentation consisting of radio frequency engineering criteria and a corresponding telecommunications facility search ring map, together with documentation of the carrier's efforts to site the proposed facility within the telecommunications facility search ring.

(d) Within 21 days after receipt of the carrier's documentation, the county shall propose either an alternative site within the telecommunications facility search ring, or an alternative site outside of the telecommunications search ring that meets the radio frequency engineering criteria provided by the telecommunications carrier and that will not materially increase the construction budget beyond what was estimated on the original carrier proposed site.

(e) If the county's proposed alternative site meets the radio frequency engineering criteria provided by the telecommunications carrier, and will not materially increase the construction budget beyond what was estimated on the original carrier proposed site, then the telecommunications carrier shall agree to build the facility at the alternative location, subject to the negotiation of a lease with commercially reasonable terms and the obtainment of the customary building permits.

(f) If the telecommunications carrier can demonstrate that: (i) the county's proposed alternative site does not meet the radio frequency engineering criteria, (ii) the county's proposed alternative site will materially increase the construction budget beyond what was estimated on the original carrier proposed site, (iii) the county has failed to provide an alternative site, or (iv) after a period of 90 days after receipt of the alternative site, the telecommunications carrier has failed, after acting in good faith and with due diligence, to obtain a lease or, at a minimum, a letter of intent to lease the alternative site at lease rates not materially greater than the lease rate for the original proposed site; then the carrier can proceed to permit and construct the site under the provisions and standards of Section 5-12001.1 of this Code.

(Source: P.A. 100-585, eff. 6-1-18.)

(55 ILCS 5/5-12001.3)

Sec. 5-12001.3. Waiver of building, inspection, and construction fees.

(a) As used in this Section, "disaster" includes, but is not limited to, an occurrence or threat of widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property resulting from any natural or technological cause, including, but not limited to, fire, flood, earthquake, wind, storm, hazardous materials spill, or other water contamination, epidemic, air contamination, blight, extended periods of severe and inclement weather, drought, infestation, critical shortages of essential fuels and energy, explosion, riot, hostile military or paramilitary action, public health emergencies, or acts of domestic terrorism.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a county board or board of county commissioners may, by resolution, waive any fees or costs associated with a permit, inspection, or certification of occupancy required by law for construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, movement to another site, removal, or demolition of a manufactured home, building, dwelling, or structure, either commercial or residential, damaged as a result of a disaster, emergency, weather event, or for any reason deemed warranted in the interests of public safety, welfare, and recovery of the community by the county board or board of county commissioners.

(Source: P.A. 102-24, eff. 6-25-21.)

(55 ILCS 5/5-12002) (from Ch. 34, par. 5-12002)

Sec. 5-12002. Inoperable motor vehicles. The county board may by ordinance declare all inoperable motor vehicles, whether on public or private property, to be a nuisance and authorize fines to be levied for the failure of any person to obey a notice received from the county which states that such person is to dispose of any inoperable motor vehicles under his or her control. However, nothing in this Section shall apply to any motor vehicle that is kept within a building when not in use, to historic vehicles over 25 years of age, or to a motor vehicle on the premises of a place of business engaged in the wrecking or junking of motor vehicles.

As used in this Section, "inoperable motor vehicle" means any motor vehicle from which, for a period of at least 6 months, the engine, wheels or other parts have been removed, or on which the engine, wheels or other parts have been altered, damaged or otherwise so treated that the vehicle is incapable of being driven under its own power. "Inoperable motor vehicle" shall not include a motor vehicle which has been rendered temporarily incapable of being driven under its own motor power in order to perform ordinary service or repair operations.

(Source: P.A. 86-962.)

(55 ILCS 5/5-12002.1)

Sec. 5-12002.1. Hazardous dilapidated motor vehicles.

(a) The General Assembly hereby finds that the proliferation of hazardous dilapidated motor vehicles constitutes a hazard to the health, safety, and welfare of the public, and that addressing the problems caused by such abandoned dilapidated vehicles constitutes a compelling and fundamental governmental interest. The General Assembly also finds that the only effective method of dealing with the problem is to promulgate a comprehensive scheme to expedite the towing and disposal of such vehicles.

(b) As used in this Section, "hazardous dilapidated motor vehicle" means any motor vehicle with a substantial number of essential parts, as defined by Section 1-118 of The Illinois Vehicle Code, either damaged, removed, or altered or otherwise so treated that the vehicle is incapable of being driven under its own motor power or, which by its general state of deterioration, poses a threat to the public's health, safety, and welfare. "Hazardous dilapidated motor vehicle" shall not include a motor vehicle that has been rendered temporarily incapable of being driven under its own motor power in order to perform ordinary service or repair operations. The owner of a vehicle towed under the provisions of this Section shall be entitled to any hearing or review of the towing of the vehicle as provided by State or local law.

(c) A county board may by ordinance declare all inoperable motor vehicles, whether on public or private property and in view of the general public, to be hazardous dilapidated motor vehicles, and may authorize a law enforcement agency, with applicable jurisdiction, to remove immediately, any hazardous dilapidated motor vehicle or parts thereof. The ordinance shall include a requirement that notice must be sent by certified mail to either the real property owner of record or the vehicle owner at least 10 days prior to removal. Nothing in this Section shall apply to any motor vehicle that is kept within a building when not in use, to operable historic vehicles over 25 years of age, or to a motor vehicle on the premises of a place of business engaged in the wrecking, selling, or junking of motor vehicles.

(Source: P.A. 97-779, eff. 7-13-12.)

(55 ILCS 5/5-12003) (from Ch. 34, par. 5-12003)

Sec. 5-12003. Special flood hazard areas. In those areas within the territory of a county with a population in excess of 500,000 and fewer than 3 million inhabitants, and outside any city, village or incorporated town, which are identified as "Special Flood Hazard Areas" under the terms and provisions of any ordinance adopted under this Division, the unauthorized excavation or filling of such an area by any person shall cause the county board to apply to the circuit court in that county for an order to remove the fill and restore the parcel to its natural elevation in order to lessen or avoid the imminent threat to the public health, safety or welfare and damage to property resulting from the accumulation or run-off of storm or flood waters. Where, upon diligent search, the identity or whereabouts of the owner of any such parcel, including lien holders of record, are not ascertainable, notice mailed to the person in whose name such real estate was last assessed for taxes, as shown by the county collector's books, constitutes sufficient notice under this Section. The hearing upon such application to the circuit court shall be expedited by the court and given precedence over all other suits. The cost of removal or restoration incurred by the county board is recoverable from the owner of such real estate and is a lien thereon, which lien is superior to all prior existing liens and encumbrances, except taxes; provided that within 60 days after such removal of fill or restoration of the parcel to its natural elevation, the county board shall file notice of lien for such cost and expense incurred in the office of the recorder of the county. The notice must consist of a sworn statement setting out (1) a description of the real estate sufficient for identification thereof, (2) the amount of money representing the cost and expense incurred, and (3) the date on which the cost was incurred by the county. Upon payment of the costs and expenses by the owner or persons interested in the property, the lien shall be released by the county in whose name the lien has been filed and the release may be filed of record. The lien may be enforced by proceedings of foreclosure as in the case of mortgages or mechanics' liens, which action must be commenced within 3 years after the date of filing notice of lien.

(Source: P.A. 90-14, eff. 7-1-97.)

(55 ILCS 5/5-12004) (from Ch. 34, par. 5-12004)

Sec. 5-12004. Abandonment of vehicles prohibited. (a) The abandonment of a vehicle or any part thereof on any county highway in any county with 500,000 or more inhabitants, but fewer than 3,000,000, is unlawful and a petty offense punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.

(b) The abandonment of a vehicle or any part thereof on private or public property other than a highway in view of the general public, anywhere in such a county, is unlawful except on property of the owner or bailee of such abandoned vehicle. A vehicle or any part thereof so abandoned on private property shall be authorized for removal by the official so designated by ordinance of the county board after a waiting period of 7 days or more. A violation of this subsection (b) is a petty offense punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.

(Source: P.A. 86-962.)

(55 ILCS 5/5-12005) (from Ch. 34, par. 5-12005)

Sec. 5-12005. Abandoned, lost, stolen or unclaimed vehicles. In any county with 500,000 or more inhabitants, but fewer than 3,000,000, when an abandoned, lost, stolen or unclaimed vehicle comes into the temporary possession or custody of a person, not the owner of the vehicle, such person shall immediately notify the administrative official in the county who is charged with the enforcement of any ordinance adopted pursuant to this Division. Upon receipt of such notification, the administrative official shall authorize a towing service to remove and take possession of the abandoned, lost, stolen or unclaimed vehicle and its contents and maintain a record of the tow as set forth in Section 4-204 of The Illinois Vehicle Code until the vehicle is claimed by the owner or any person legally entitled to possession thereof or until it is disposed of as provided in The Illinois Vehicle Code.

(Source: P.A. 86-962.)

(55 ILCS 5/5-12006) (from Ch. 34, par. 5-12006)

Sec. 5-12006. Vehicle removal.

(a) In any county with 500,000 or more inhabitants, but fewer than 3,000,000, when a vehicle is abandoned or left unattended on a highway other than a toll highway, interstate highway, or expressway, outside of an urban district for 24 hours or more, its removal by a towing service may be authorized by the administrative official charged with such duty.

(b) When a vehicle removal from either public or private property is authorized, the owner of the vehicle shall be responsible for all towing costs.

Vehicles removed from public or private property and stored by a commercial vehicle relocator or any other towing service in compliance with the Illinois Vehicle Code shall be subject to a possessory lien for services pursuant to "An Act concerning liens for labor, services, skill or materials furnished upon or storage furnished for chattels", filed July 24, 1941, as amended and the provision of Section 1 of that Act relating to notice and implied consent shall be deemed satisfied by compliance with Section 18a-302 and subsection (6) of Section 18a-300 of The Illinois Vehicle Code. In no event shall such lien be greater than the rate established in accordance with subsection (3) of Section 18a-200 of The Illinois Vehicle Code. In no event shall such lien be increased or altered to reflect any charge for services or materials rendered in addition to those authorized by this Division. Every such lien shall be payable by use of any major credit card, in addition to being payable in cash.

(c) When a vehicle is authorized to be towed away under this Division, the administrative official authorizing the towing shall keep and maintain a record of the vehicle towed, listing the color, year of manufacture, manufacturer's trade name, manufacturer's series name, body style, vehicle identification number, license plate year and number and registration sticker or digital registration sticker year and number displayed on the vehicle. The record shall also include the date and hour of tow, location towed from, location towed to, reason for towing and the name of the officer authorizing the tow.

The administrative official authorizing the towing shall further follow the procedures for notification of record owner or other legally entitled person, or if such person cannot be identified, procedures for tracing vehicle ownership by the Illinois State Police as set forth in The Illinois Vehicle Code and procedures for disposing of unclaimed vehicles with or without notice.

(Source: P.A. 101-395, eff. 8-16-19.)