§ 18d-120

Disclosure to vehicle owner or operator before towing of damaged or disabled vehicle commences. (a) A commercial vehicle safety relocator shall not commence the towing of a damaged or disabled vehicle without specific authorization from the vehicle owner or operator after the disclosures set forth in this Section. (b) Every commercial vehicle safety relocator shall, before towing a damaged or disabled vehicle, give to each vehicle owner or operator a written disclosure providing: (1) The formal business name of the commercial vehicle safety relocator, as registered with the Illinois Secretary of State, and its business address and telephone number. (2) The address of the location to which the vehicle shall be relocated. (3) The cost of all relocation, storage, and any other fees, without limitation, that the commercial vehicle safety relocator will charge for its services. (4) An itemized description of the vehicle owner or operator's rights under this Code, as follows: "As a customer, you also have the following rights under Illinois law: (1) This written disclosure must be provided to you before your vehicle is towed, providing the business name, business address, address where the vehicle will be towed, and a reliable telephone number; (2) Before towing, you must be advised of the price of all services; (3) Upon your demand, a final invoice itemizing all charges, as well as any damage to the vehicle upon its receipt and return to you, must be provided; (4) Upon your demand, your vehicle must be returned during business hours, upon your prompt payment of all reasonable fees; (5) You have the right to pay all charges in cash or by major credit card; (6) Upon your demand, you must be provided with proof of the existence of mandatory insurance insuring against all risks associated with the transportation and storage of your vehicle." (c) The commercial vehicle safety relocator shall provide a copy of the completed disclosure required by this Section to the vehicle owner or operator, before towing the damaged or disabled vehicle, and shall maintain an identical copy of the completed disclosure in its records for a minimum of 5 years after the transaction concludes. (d) If the vehicle owner or operator is incapacitated, incompetent, or otherwise unable to knowingly accept receipt of the disclosure described in this Section, the commercial vehicle safety relocator shall provide a completed copy of the disclosure to local law enforcement and, if known, the vehicle owner or operator's automobile insurance company. (e) If the commercial vehicle safety relocator fails to comply with the requirements of this Section, the commercial vehicle safety relocator shall be prohibited from seeking any compensation whatsoever from the vehicle owner or operator, including but not limited to any towing, storage, or other incidental fees. Furthermore, if the commercial vehicle safety relocator or operator fails to comply with the requirements of this Section, any contracts entered into by the commercial vehicle safety relocator and the vehicle owner or operator shall be deemed null, void, and unenforceable. (f) The authorization and disclosures required under this Section are not required if a tow was authorized by a law enforcement agency or officer, as evidenced by a tow sheet issued by the law enforcement agency or officer. If no tow sheet was issued by the authorizing law enforcement agency or officer, then the evidence may be presented through records of the safety relocator showing the date and time of authorization, the department and star or badge number of the officer from whom authorization was received, and the incident report number assigned by the law enforcement agency or officer.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 104-133, eff. 1-1-26 .)