Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of SB2040
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Full Text of SB2040  104th General Assembly

SB2040eng 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

 


 
SB2040 EngrossedLRB104 10361 LNS 20436 b

1    AN ACT concerning transportation.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by
5changing Sections 3-704, 18a-501, 18d-105, 18d-115, 18d-120,
6and 18d-155 and by adding Sections 3-704.4, 18d-116, 18d-118,
718d-119, 18d-121, 18d-157, and 18d-158 as follows:
 
8    (625 ILCS 5/3-704)  (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-704)
9    Sec. 3-704. Authority of Secretary of State to suspend or
10revoke a registration or certificate of title; authority to
11suspend or revoke the registration of a vehicle.
12    (a) The Secretary of State may suspend or revoke the
13registration of a vehicle or a certificate of title,
14registration card, registration sticker or digital
15registration sticker, registration plate or digital
16registration plate, disability parking decal or device, or any
17nonresident or other permit in any of the following events:
18        1. When the Secretary of State is satisfied that such
19    registration or that such certificate, card, plate or
20    digital plate, registration sticker or digital
21    registration sticker, or permit was fraudulently or
22    erroneously issued;
23        2. When a registered vehicle has been dismantled or

 

 

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1    wrecked or is not properly equipped;
2        3. When the Secretary of State determines that any
3    fines, penalties, or required fees have not been paid to
4    the Secretary of State, to the Illinois Commerce
5    Commission, or to the Illinois Department of Revenue under
6    the Motor Fuel Tax Law, and the same are not paid upon
7    reasonable notice and demand;
8        4. When a registration card, registration plate or
9    digital registration plate, registration sticker or
10    digital registration sticker, or permit is knowingly
11    displayed upon a vehicle other than the one for which
12    issued;
13        5. When the Secretary of State determines that the
14    owner has committed any offense under this Chapter
15    involving the registration or the certificate, card, plate
16    or digital plate, registration sticker or digital
17    registration sticker, or permit to be suspended or
18    revoked;
19        6. When the Secretary of State determines that a
20    vehicle registered not-for-hire is used or operated
21    for-hire unlawfully, or used or operated for purposes
22    other than those authorized;
23        7. When the Secretary of State determines that an
24    owner of a for-hire motor vehicle has failed to give proof
25    of financial responsibility as required by this Act;
26        8. When the Secretary determines that the vehicle is

 

 

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1    not subject to or eligible for a registration;
2        9. When the Secretary determines that the owner of a
3    vehicle registered under the mileage weight tax option
4    fails to maintain the records specified by law, or fails
5    to file the reports required by law, or that such vehicle
6    is not equipped with an operable and operating speedometer
7    or odometer;
8        10. When the Secretary of State is so authorized under
9    any other provision of law;
10        11. When the Secretary of State determines that the
11    holder of a disability parking decal or device has
12    committed any offense under Chapter 11 of this Code
13    involving the use of a disability parking decal or device.
14    (a-5) The Secretary of State may revoke a certificate of
15title and registration card and issue a corrected certificate
16of title and registration card, at no fee to the vehicle owner
17or lienholder, if there is proof that the vehicle
18identification number is erroneously shown on the original
19certificate of title.
20    (b) The Secretary of State may suspend or revoke the
21registration of a vehicle as follows:
22        1. When the Secretary of State determines that the
23    owner of a vehicle has not paid a civil penalty or a
24    settlement agreement arising from the violation of rules
25    adopted under the Illinois Motor Carrier Safety Law or the
26    Illinois Hazardous Materials Transportation Act or that a

 

 

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1    vehicle, regardless of ownership, was the subject of
2    violations of these rules that resulted in a civil penalty
3    or settlement agreement which remains unpaid.
4        2. When the Secretary of State determines that a
5    vehicle registered for a gross weight of more than 16,000
6    pounds within an affected area is not in compliance with
7    the provisions of Section 13-109.1 of this Code.
8        3. When the Secretary of State is notified by the
9    United States Department of Transportation that a vehicle
10    is in violation of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
11    Regulations, as they are now or hereafter amended, and is
12    prohibited from operating.
13    (c) The Secretary of State may suspend the registration of
14a vehicle when a court finds that the vehicle was used in a
15violation of Section 24-3A of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the
16Criminal Code of 2012 relating to gunrunning. A suspension of
17registration under this subsection (c) may be for a period of
18up to 90 days.
19    (d) The Secretary shall deny, suspend, or revoke
20registration if the applicant fails to disclose material
21information required, if the applicant has made a materially
22false statement on the application, if the applicant has
23applied as a subterfuge for the real party in interest who has
24been issued a federal out-of-service order, or if the
25applicant's business is operated by, managed by, or otherwise
26controlled by or affiliated with a person who is ineligible

 

 

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1for registration, including the applicant entity, a relative,
2family member, corporate officer, or shareholder. The
3Secretary shall deny, suspend, or revoke registration for
4either (i) a vehicle if the motor carrier responsible for the
5safety of the vehicle has been prohibited from operating by
6the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; or (ii) a
7carrier whose business is operated by, managed by, or
8otherwise controlled by or affiliated with a person who is
9ineligible for registration, which may include the owner, a
10relative, family member, corporate officer, or shareholder of
11the carrier.
12(Source: P.A. 101-185, eff. 1-1-20; 101-395, eff. 8-16-19;
13102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)
 
14    (625 ILCS 5/3-704.4 new)
15    Sec. 3-704.4. Failure to satisfy fines or penalties
16assessed by the Commission; suspension of tow truck
17registrations.
18    (a) Beginning July 1, 2026, upon receipt of a report
19pursuant to Section 18d-158, as set forth in subsection (c),
20from the Commission stating that the owner of a registered tow
21truck has failed to satisfy any fine or penalty issued by the
22Commission, the Secretary of State shall suspend all tow truck
23registrations of the person in accordance with the procedures
24set forth in this Section.
25    (b) Following receipt of the certified report of the

 

 

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1Commission as specified in this Section, the Secretary of
2State shall notify the person whose name appears on the
3certified report that the person's tow truck registrations
4shall be suspended within 30 calendar days unless the
5Secretary of State is presented with a notice from the
6Commission certifying that the fines or penalties owing the
7Commission have been satisfied or that inclusion of that
8person's name on the certified report was in error. The
9Secretary's notice shall state in substance the information
10contained in the Commission's certified report to the
11Secretary, and shall be effective as specified by subsection
12(c) of Section 6-211.
13    (c) The report from the Commission notifying the Secretary
14of unsatisfied fines or penalties pursuant to this Section
15shall be certified by the Transportation Division Manager, or
16his or her designee, and shall contain the following:
17        (1) The name and last known address of the person that
18    failed to satisfy the fines or penalties and the vehicle
19    identification number of any tow trucks known to be
20    registered in the State to that person.
21        (2) A statement that the Commission sent a notice
22    consistent with subsection (b) of Section 18d-158 to the
23    person named in the report at the address recorded with
24    the Secretary of State, the date on which the notice was
25    sent, and the address to which the notice was sent.
26    (d) The Commission, after making a certified report to the

 

 

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1Secretary pursuant to this Section, shall notify the
2Secretary, on a form prescribed by the Secretary, whenever a
3person named in the certified report has satisfied the
4previously reported fines or penalties or whenever the
5Commission determines that the original report was in error. A
6certified copy of the notification shall also be given upon
7request and at no additional charge to the person named
8therein. Upon receipt of the Commission's notification or
9presentation of a certified copy of the notification, the
10Secretary shall terminate the suspension.
11    (e) A person may request an administrative hearing to
12contest a suspension or impending suspension made pursuant to
13this Section as authorized under Section 2-118. The Commission
14may reimburse the Secretary for all reasonable costs incurred
15by the Secretary as a result of the filing of a certified
16report pursuant to this Section, including, but not limited
17to, the costs of providing notice required pursuant to
18subsection (b) and the costs incurred by the Secretary in any
19hearing conducted with respect to the report pursuant to this
20subsection and any appeal from that hearing.
21    (f) The Secretary and the Commission may adopt rules to
22enable them to carry out their duties under this Section.
23    (g) The Commission shall cooperate with the Secretary in
24the administration of this Section and shall provide the
25Secretary with any information the Secretary may deem
26necessary for these purposes.

 

 

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1    The Secretary shall cooperate with the Commission in the
2administration of this Section and shall provide any
3information that the Commission may deem necessary, subject to
4the limitations set forth in Section 2-123.
5    (h) For purposes of this Section, "Commission" means the
6Illinois Commerce Commission.
 
7    (625 ILCS 5/18a-501)  (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18a-501)
8    Sec. 18a-501. Liens against relocated vehicles.
9    (a) Unauthorized vehicles removed and stored by a
10commercial vehicle relocator in compliance with this Chapter
11shall be subject to a possessory lien for services pursuant to
12the Labor and Storage Lien (Small Amount) Act, and the
13provisions of Section 1 of that Act relating to notice and
14implied consent shall be deemed satisfied by compliance with
15Section 18a-302 and item (10) of Section 18a-300. In no event
16shall such lien be greater than the rate or rates established
17in accordance with item (6) of Section 18a-200. In no event
18shall such lien be increased or altered to reflect any charge
19for services or materials rendered in addition to those
20authorized by this Act. Every such lien shall be payable by use
21of any major credit card, in addition to being payable in cash.
22Upon receipt of a properly signed credit card receipt, a
23relocator shall become a holder in due course, and neither the
24holder of the credit card nor the company which issued the
25credit card may thereafter refuse to remit payment in the

 

 

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1amount shown on the credit card receipt minus the ordinary
2charge assessed by the credit card company for processing the
3charge. The Commission may adopt regulations governing
4acceptance of credit cards by a relocator.
5    (b) Any personal property belonging to the vehicle owner
6in a vehicle subject to a lien under this Section shall be
7subject to that lien, excepting only: child restraint systems
8as defined in Section 4 of the Child Passenger Protection Act
9and other child booster seats; eyeglasses; food; medicine;
10personal medical and health care devices, including hearing
11instruments; perishable property; any operator's licenses; any
12cash, credit cards, or checks or checkbooks; any wallet,
13purse, or other property containing any operator's licenses,
14social security cards, or other identifying documents or
15materials, cash, credit cards, checks or checkbooks, or
16passbooks; higher education textbooks and study materials; and
17any personal property belonging to a person other than the
18vehicle owner if that person provides adequate proof that the
19personal property belongs to that person. The spouse, child,
20mother, father, brother, or sister of the vehicle owner may
21claim personal property excepted under this subsection if the
22person claiming the personal property provides the commercial
23vehicle relocator with the authorization of the vehicle owner.
24(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)
 
25    (625 ILCS 5/18d-105)

 

 

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1    Sec. 18d-105. Definitions. As used in this Chapter:
2    (1) "Commercial vehicle safety relocator" or "safety
3relocator" means any person or entity engaged in the business
4of removing damaged or disabled vehicles from public or
5private property by means of towing or otherwise, and
6thereafter relocating and storing such vehicles.
7    (2) "Commission" means the Illinois Commerce Commission.
8    (3) "Beneficial owner" means an individual who either,
9directly or indirectly: (a) exercises substantial control over
10a person or entity; or (b) owns or controls at least 25% of the
11person's or entity's ownership interests.
12(Source: P.A. 95-562, eff. 7-1-08.)
 
13    (625 ILCS 5/18d-115)
14    Sec. 18d-115. Safety relocator registration required;
15application disclosures.
16    (a) It is unlawful for any commercial vehicle safety
17relocator to operate in any county in which this Chapter is
18applicable without a valid, current safety relocator's
19registration certificate issued by the Commission.
20    (b) The Commission shall issue safety relocator's
21registration certificates in accordance with administrative
22rules adopted by the Commission. The Commission shall require
23that in addition to such other information as the Commission
24may require by rule, any application for a safety relocator's
25registration be verified and disclose whether:

 

 

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1        (1) the applicant has failed to satisfy any fine or
2    penalty issued by the Commission;
3        (2) any officer, employee, or agent of the applicant
4    has failed to satisfy any fine or penalty issued by the
5    Commission;
6        (3) any person or entity other than the applicant with
7    a beneficial owner in common with the applicant has failed
8    to satisfy any fine or penalty issued by the Commission;
9    or
10        (4) the applicant has failed to satisfy a judgment
11    entered by a court of competent jurisdiction for violation
12    of this Chapter or rules of the Commission adopted under
13    this Chapter.
14    If the Commission finds that any failure to satisfy a fine
15or penalty issued by the Commission or a judgment entered by a
16court of competent jurisdiction was, or should have been,
17disclosed by the applicant, the Commission may deny the
18application.
19    (c) The Commission may inquire into the conduct of any
20commercial vehicle safety relocator, or the beneficial owner
21of a commercial vehicle safety relocator, to determine if the
22provisions of this Chapter and the rules of the Commission
23adopted pursuant to this Chapter are being observed.
24    (d) If the Commission finds any failure to satisfy a fine
25or penalty issued by the Commission or a judgment entered by a
26court of competent jurisdiction, as set forth in subsection

 

 

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1(b), it shall revoke the issued safety relocator's
2registration unless the Commission finds, through clear and
3convincing evidence, good cause for the failure.
4It shall be unlawful for any commercial vehicle safety
5relocator to operate in any county in which this Chapter is
6applicable without a valid, current safety relocator's
7registration certificate issued by the Illinois Commerce
8Commission. The Illinois Commerce Commission shall issue
9safety relocator's registration certificates in accordance
10with administrative rules adopted by the Commission. The
11Commission may, at any time during the term of the
12registration certificate, make inquiry, into the licensee's
13management or conduct of business or otherwise, to determine
14that the provisions of this Chapter and the rules of the
15Commission adopted under this Chapter are being observed.
16(Source: P.A. 95-562, eff. 7-1-08.)
 
17    (625 ILCS 5/18d-116 new)
18    Sec. 18d-116. Business and storage location requirements;
19proof of right to use premises.
20    (a) The office address that the commercial vehicle safety
21relocator lists on the application shall be the primary
22business location of the firm where its records are
23maintained, as required by Section 18d-135.
24    (b) The application shall also list by address all
25locations of secure areas for vehicle storage and redemption

 

 

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1maintained by the commercial vehicle safety relocator.
2    (c) A safety relocator shall own or have a right to use and
3occupy, under a written lease, all business locations and
4vehicle storage and redemption locations listed on an
5application.
6    (d) The commercial vehicle safety relocator shall notify
7the Commission in writing of any change in or addition of a
8primary business location or location of secure areas for
9vehicle storage and redemption.
10    (e) Listing a primary business location or vehicle storage
11and redemption location on an application or update form that
12the safety relocator does not have a right to use or occupy by
13virtue of ownership or a written lease shall be considered a
14materially false statement for purposes of Section 18d-119.
15Failure to list a primary business location or vehicle storage
16and redemption location on an application or update form shall
17be considered a material omission for purposes of Section
1818d-119.
19    (f) Each business and storage location shall conform to
20Section 18d-130.
 
21    (625 ILCS 5/18d-118 new)
22    Sec. 18d-118. Liens against personal property in a towed
23vehicle.
24    (a) All child restraint systems, as defined in Section 4
25of the Child Passenger Protection Act, and other child booster

 

 

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1seats; eyeglasses; food; medicine; or personal medical and
2health care devices, including hearing instruments; perishable
3property; any operator's licenses; any cash, credit cards, or
4checks or checkbooks; any wallet, purse, or other property
5containing any operator's license, social security card, or
6other identifying documents or materials, cash, credit cards,
7checks or checkbooks, or passbooks; higher education textbooks
8and study materials in a vehicle towed pursuant to this
9Chapter shall be exempt from a lien under the Labor and Storage
10Lien (Small Amount) Act and may be reclaimed by the vehicle
11owner or operator or the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of
12the vehicle owner or operator, as long as the related person
13provides the commercial vehicle safety relocator written
14authorization from the owner of the personal property.
15    (b) Other personal property in a relocated vehicle,
16excluding cargo, is exempt from a lien under the Labor and
17Storage Lien (Small Amount) Act and may be claimed by the owner
18of such personal property, or by the spouse, child, parent, or
19sibling of the owner of such personal property, as long as the
20related person provides the commercial vehicle safety
21relocator written authorization from the owner of such
22personal property, and provided the vehicle owner or related
23person provides the commercial vehicle safety relocator with
24proof that the vehicle owner has an insurance policy
25sufficient to pay applicable recovery, towing, and storage
26charges. Notwithstanding other provisions of this Code, cargo

 

 

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1shall be subject to the tower's lien.
2    The regulation of liens on personal property and
3exceptions to those liens in the case of vehicles towed as a
4result of being involved in a crash are exclusive powers and
5functions of the State. A home rule unit may not regulate liens
6on personal property and exceptions to those liens in the case
7of vehicles towed as a result of being involved in a crash.
8This Section is a denial and limitation of home rule powers and
9functions under subsection (h) of Section 6 of Article VII of
10the Illinois Constitution.
 
11    (625 ILCS 5/18d-119 new)
12    Sec. 18d-119. Making false statement; power to deny
13application and revoke registration.
14    (a) The Commission may deny, suspend, or revoke a
15commercial vehicle safety relocator registration if the
16applicant or licensee is found to have made a materially false
17statement or a material omission in a filing with the
18Commission, if the applicant has applied as a subterfuge for
19another party in interest, or if the applicant's business is
20operated, managed, or otherwise controlled by a person who was
21not disclosed on the application.
22    (b) The Commission shall not issue a commercial vehicle
23safety relocator registration to an applicant who has been
24denied or revoked pursuant to subsection (a) for a period of up
25to 3 years from the date the application was denied or

 

 

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1registration was revoked.
 
2    (625 ILCS 5/18d-120)
3    Sec. 18d-120. Disclosure to vehicle owner or operator
4before towing of damaged or disabled vehicle commences.
5    (a) A commercial vehicle safety relocator shall not
6commence the towing of a damaged or disabled vehicle without
7specific authorization from the vehicle owner or operator
8after the disclosures set forth in this Section.
9    (b) Every commercial vehicle safety relocator shall,
10before towing a damaged or disabled vehicle, give to each
11vehicle owner or operator a written disclosure providing:
12        (1) The formal business name of the commercial vehicle
13    safety relocator, as registered with the Illinois
14    Secretary of State, and its business address and telephone
15    number.
16        (2) The address of the location to which the vehicle
17    shall be relocated.
18        (3) The cost of all relocation, storage, and any other
19    fees, without limitation, that the commercial vehicle
20    safety relocator will charge for its services.
21        (4) An itemized description of the vehicle owner or
22    operator's rights under this Code, as follows:
23    "As a customer, you also have the following rights under
24Illinois law:
25        (1) This written disclosure must be provided to you

 

 

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1    before your vehicle is towed, providing the business name,
2    business address, address where the vehicle will be towed,
3    and a reliable telephone number;
4        (2) Before towing, you must be advised of the price of
5    all services;
6        (3) Upon your demand, a final invoice itemizing all
7    charges, as well as any damage to the vehicle upon its
8    receipt and return to you, must be provided;
9        (4) Upon your demand, your vehicle must be returned
10    during business hours, upon your prompt payment of all
11    reasonable fees;
12        (5) You have the right to pay all charges in cash or by
13    major credit card;
14        (6) Upon your demand, you must be provided with proof
15    of the existence of mandatory insurance insuring against
16    all risks associated with the transportation and storage
17    of your vehicle."
18    (c) The commercial vehicle safety relocator shall provide
19a copy of the completed disclosure required by this Section to
20the vehicle owner or operator, before towing the damaged or
21disabled vehicle, and shall maintain an identical copy of the
22completed disclosure in its records for a minimum of 5 years
23after the transaction concludes.
24    (d) If the vehicle owner or operator is incapacitated,
25incompetent, or otherwise unable to knowingly accept receipt
26of the disclosure described in this Section, the commercial

 

 

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1vehicle safety relocator shall provide a completed copy of the
2disclosure to local law enforcement and, if known, the vehicle
3owner or operator's automobile insurance company.
4    (e) If the commercial vehicle safety relocator fails to
5comply with the requirements of this Section, the commercial
6vehicle safety relocator shall be prohibited from seeking any
7compensation whatsoever from the vehicle owner or operator,
8including but not limited to any towing, storage, or other
9incidental fees. Furthermore, if the commercial vehicle safety
10relocator or operator fails to comply with the requirements of
11this Section, any contracts entered into by the commercial
12vehicle safety relocator and the vehicle owner or operator
13shall be deemed null, void, and unenforceable.
14    (f) The authorization and disclosures required under this
15Section are not required if a tow was authorized by a law
16enforcement agency or officer, as evidenced by a tow sheet
17issued by the law enforcement agency or officer. If no tow
18sheet was issued by the authorizing law enforcement agency or
19officer, then the evidence may be presented through records of
20the safety relocator showing the date and time of
21authorization, the department and star or badge number of the
22officer from whom authorization was received, and the incident
23report number assigned by the law enforcement agency or
24officer.
25(Source: P.A. 95-562, eff. 7-1-08.)
 

 

 

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1    (625 ILCS 5/18d-121 new)
2    Sec. 18d-121. Vehicle relocation.
3    (a) All vehicles subject to this Chapter shall be
4relocated to a storage and redemption lot registered with the
5Commission unless the owner or operator requests another
6location in writing. This subsection shall not apply to
7vehicles relocated pursuant to authorization from a law
8enforcement agency or official.
9    (b) Vehicles subject to this Chapter shall be released
10only after payment of applicable recovery, towing, and storage
11charges, as long as the charges were disclosed in compliance
12with Section 18d-120 or are exempt from disclosure under
13subsection (f) of Section 18d-120.
 
14    (625 ILCS 5/18d-155)
15    Sec. 18d-155. (a) The Commission may demand documentation
16or investigate business practices by a commercial vehicle
17safety relocator to determine compliance with this Chapter and
18rules adopted by the Commission pursuant to this Chapter.
19    (b) Failure to comply with any Section of this Chapter, or
20any rules adopted by the Commission pursuant to this Chapter,
21as determined by the Commission shall subject a commercial
22vehicle safety relocator to penalties imposed by the
23Commission. Penalties may include suspension or revocation of
24registration certificate and monetary fines and civil
25penalties up to $1,000 for each violation. Each day of a

 

 

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1continuing violation of subsection (a) of this Section shall
2be a separate violation.
3    (c) In addition to a person or entity deemed to be a
4commercial vehicle safety relocator pursuant to Section
518d-105, any officer of a corporation, manager of a limited
6liability company, partner of a partnership, or employee or
7agent of any such entity who knowingly permits a commercial
8vehicle safety relocator to violate provisions of this Chapter
9or rules adopted by the Commission pursuant to this Chapter
10shall be subject to penalties as provided in this Section.
11    (d) Every commercial vehicle safety relocator must
12designate and maintain a registered agent for service of
13process. The registered agent must have a physical address
14within the State where the registered agent can receive legal
15documents and official notices. This address must be a
16physical location, not a post office box, and must be open and
17staffed during regular business hours.
18The Illinois Commerce Commission may request documentation or
19investigate business practices by a commercial vehicle safety
20relocator to determine compliance with this Chapter. Failure
21to comply with any Section of this Chapter, as determined by
22the Illinois Commerce Commission shall subject a commercial
23vehicle safety relocator to penalties imposed by the Illinois
24Commerce Commission. Penalties may include suspension of
25registration certificate and monetary fines up to $1,000 for
26each violation.

 

 

SB2040 Engrossed- 21 -LRB104 10361 LNS 20436 b

1(Source: P.A. 95-562, eff. 7-1-08.)
 
2    (625 ILCS 5/18d-157 new)
3    Sec. 18d-157. Vehicle impoundment.
4    (a) The Commission police may seize and impound a tow
5truck by authorizing the towing and storage of the tow truck
6where the officer has probable cause to believe that:
7        (1) the tow truck is being used, or was used, to remove
8    a damaged or disabled vehicle from public or private
9    property while the owner or operator of the tow truck does
10    not hold a valid, current safety relocator's registration
11    certificate issued by the Commission; or
12        (2) the registered owner of the tow truck owes past
13    due fines, civil penalties, or fees to the Commission.
14    (b) At the time the vehicle is towed, the officer ordering
15the tow shall provide to the person in control of the tow truck
16a copy of the vehicle impoundment report.
17    The Commission shall mail a notice of impoundment to all
18registered owners and lienholders within 2 business days after
19the date the vehicle was impounded if the vehicle is
20registered in this State. If the vehicle is registered in a
21jurisdiction other than this State, the Commission shall
22request owner and lienholder information from the appropriate
23agency within 2 business days after the date the vehicle was
24impounded and shall mail a notice of impoundment to all
25registered owners and lienholders within 2 business days after

 

 

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1receiving the information.
2    Notices shall be mailed by certified mail, return receipt
3requested, to the addresses on file with the Secretary of
4State, or in the case of a foreign-registered vehicle, to the
5addresses on file with the State where the vehicle is
6registered.
7    At minimum, the notice of impoundment shall contain:
8        (1) in bold typeface, a heading with the words "Notice
9    of Impoundment";
10        (2) a description of the impounded tow truck;
11        (3) the reason for impoundment;
12        (4) the location where the impounded tow truck is
13    being stored;
14        (5) the potential fines, civil penalties, and fees
15    that must be satisfied to reclaim the tow truck;
16        (6) procedures to request a hearing before the
17    Commission; and
18        (7) a notice that if the tow truck remains unclaimed,
19    it may be sold or disposed of in accordance with
20    applicable law.
21    (c) Before a vehicle impounded under this Section may be
22released, the owner or lienholder must obtain a release from
23the Commission and pay all storage and towing fees to the
24towing service.
25    To obtain a release from the Commission, the owner or
26lienholder shall furnish to the Commission proof of ownership,

 

 

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1such as title, vehicle registration, or bill of sale, or right
2to possession of the vehicle and valid identification, and:
3        (1) pay the $1,000 administrative fine plus any fines
4    for concurrent violations, and pay all other fines, civil
5    penalties, and fees owed to the Commission. Such payment
6    shall constitute an admission of liability and a waiver of
7    the right to a hearing;
8        (2) post a bond in the amount of the $1,000
9    administrative fine plus any fines for concurrent
10    violations, which bond shall be held by the Commission;
11    pay all other unpaid fines, civil penalties, and fees owed
12    to the Commission; and request a hearing to contest the
13    impoundment; or
14        (3) request a hearing. A release shall not be issued
15    under this subparagraph until ordered by the Commission
16    after the conclusion of the hearing and any fines, civil
17    penalties or fees ordered have been paid.
18    Fines and civil penalties and posting of bond may be paid
19by certified or cashier's check or money order.
20    (d) A request for hearing shall, unless otherwise provided
21for by the Commission, be mailed to the Commission within 15
22calendar days after the mailing date of the notice of
23impoundment.
24    The Commission shall conduct a hearing within 10 business
25days after receipt of a request for hearing.
26    The Commission shall determine, by a preponderance of the

 

 

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1evidence, whether the vehicle should be released without
2payment of the administrative fine and any fines for
3concurrent violations. The failure of the owner of record to
4appear at the hearing or to request a continuance in a timely
5manner shall be deemed a waiver of the right to a hearing, and
6a default order in favor of the Commission may be entered.
7    If, after the hearing, the Commission determines that the
8vehicle should be released without payment of the
9administrative fine and any fines for concurrent violations,
10any bond posted shall be refunded.
11    If, after the hearing, the Commission determines that the
12vehicle should not be released without payment of the
13administrative fine and any fines for concurrent violations,
14the bond shall be forfeited to the Commission in the amount of
15the fines, civil penalties, and fees owed, and any surplus
16shall be refunded.
17    Fines, civil penalties, and fees imposed pursuant to this
18Chapter shall constitute a debt owed to the Commission, which
19may be enforced in any manner provided for by law. Any cash
20bond posted pursuant to this Section shall be applied to the
21fines, civil penalties, and fees owed.
22    (e) Except as otherwise provided in this Section, a
23vehicle shall continue to be impounded until:
24        (1) the vehicle has been reclaimed pursuant to
25    subsection (d); or
26        (2) the vehicle or equipment is deemed unclaimed.

 

 

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1    (f) Any vehicle not reclaimed within 10 working days after
2the expiration of the time during which the owner of record may
3seek judicial review of the Commission's action, or within 10
4working days after a final judgment in favor of the
5Commission, may be disposed of as an unclaimed vehicle in
6accordance with Sections 4-208 and 4-209.
 
7    (625 ILCS 5/18d-158 new)
8    Sec. 18d-158. Failure to satisfy fines or penalties;
9referral to Secretary of State.
10    (a) In addition to any other remedies provided by law, the
11Commission may report any person with unpaid fees, fines, or
12penalties issued by the Commission to the Secretary of State
13for suspension of the person's tow truck registrations.
14    (b) Prior to referral under this Section, the Commission
15shall issue a final demand for payment which shall clearly
16state that failure to pay the outstanding fines or penalties
17by the date provided in the demand will result in a referral to
18the Secretary of State for the suspension of that person's tow
19truck registrations in accordance with Section 3-704.4.