SPRINGFIELD – In response to predatory towing practices that take advantage of Illinois motorists, State Senator Celina Villanueva introduced a measure to strengthen enforcement against bad actors and ensure safer roads for drivers during a press conference Wednesday. 

“Legitimate, law-abiding towers also suffer from these bad practices,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “This legislation is about protecting drivers, cracking down on predatory towers, and ensuring that Illinois has the enforcement tools necessary to hold violators accountable.”

Currently, the Illinois Commerce Commission issues fines to violators, but many of the worst offenders ignore penalties and continue operating under new business names. Senate Bill 2040 would strengthen enforcement by allowing the ICC to impound unregistered tow trucks, authorizing the Secretary of State to suspend license plates for unpaid fines, and requiring tow operators to register business and storage locations to prevent vehicles from being held at unlisted lots. The bill also would ban fraudulent towers from obtaining new licenses for three years and prohibit operators from placing liens on essential personal property left in a towed vehicle.

“As ICC Chief of Police for the last five years, predatory towing operations have been a consistent thorn in our side. My officers conduct weekly joint details to catch irresponsible towers in the act, and our agency has raised violation fines, but we’re limited with what we can do in our enforcement efforts,” said ICC Police Chief Ruben Ramirez Jr. “Instead of fining the same bad actors again and again, the ICC needs stronger enforcement tools to stop predatory towers from being able to tow peoples’ cars in the first place.”

Senate Bill 2040 awaits to be heard by the Senate Transportation Committee.