Complaint Review: Hillside Towing Service

I was in an accident inwhich my car was T-boned and rolled.  The Buffalo Grove Police Department came to the seen, they called Hillside Towing without asking us.  They came, and took flipped my car up and towed it away.  My parents came to pick me up and we had no idea where they took my car. They didnt give us any information.  We had to search them online to find where they were located. When my dad went to the location to get my personal belongings from my car, the people who worked there were rude to him, yelled and cursed at him. They wouldnt let him get my things because the insurance hadn't paid for the tow yet.  They also told us at the seen of the accident that they were going to cover my windows up with plastic because they were rolled down when it happened, when my dad went there they left it un covered and it poured the night before, so the inside was than damaged. They also took the money that was left in my car, not much but still. Finally after more than a week me and my mom went back to get my things while the insurance guy was there (Hillside had asked for my dad to not come). When we arrived they were rude and wouldnt let me get my stuff without a copy of the accident report (which they already had). After a long fight, we got my plates and everything else.

I do NOT recommend this towing company and we are going to both Arlington Heights and Buffalo Grove Police Departments to file a complaint.

I do the same as he does, I respond to posts that pertain to what I know and do for a living. Robert runs an automotive business, and responds mostly to that subject.

I run a towing business that sometimes overlaps into repair. I wouldn't dare challenge Robert to an automotive test, he's a master mechanic with years more experience. What we both do on a regular basis is deal with people that act like idiots, that don't know what they're talking about, and try to be truthful and realistic, and hopefully help them solve a problem and have fun at the same time. Same as we do every day in person. Sometimes that hurts peoples' feelings when they're looking for a hug instead of hearing facts.

I can't speak for Robert himself, he's quite capable of that, but I don't think he'd disagree. Just don't call him Raphael.

I am still waiting for your explanation of how ypou compete in Powerlifting Tournaments, Boxing, AND Karate Championships, while being "permanently disabled" as you put in another post.

So far, you have failed to do this. You just keep making up more goofy stories as the days go by, while never expressing HOW you are able to do all of these physically demanding sports in your horrible physical condition.

I especially enjoyed the report you made about a dating service having your email adress, and personal information. THEN, you admit it was your sister who set up your account for you, WITH YOUR FULL KNOWLEDGE! How else would she have your email password, and be able to log in to the service yourself? Just one more of the many misconcepted reports you are becoming famous for. You are just too much.

You just keep trying to make claims that I have stated something I have not. It's easy for you, since so far, you have yet to say anything the same twice.

It's even better when you rebut yourself.

Do a search under Robert Jacksonville Florida with any good search engine. This is what he does with other people to pointlessly rebutt their reports. You'll be directed to ripoffreport.com and be able to see some of his rebuttals. He seems to have nothing constructive to offer to any of them and is the self proclaimed biggest guy in the world and now apparently one of the smartest. All he does is roam through the site rebutting reports that obviously have nothing to do with him and needlessly insulting people.My only regret is that he will now rebutt this post (like an obedient dog). He claims in another rebuttal that the VA gets him over the counter test boosters. People with access to real pharmaceutical products are going to instead have him use unproven junk. Nice try.
Just buy Eds book. It explains a number of ways to get your money back or get satisfaction. Unfortunately he doesn't sell annoyng idot repellant so Robert cannot be kept out of your ripoffreport

Taking you to a bank machine assures I get paid, that's all. I don't see why you'd mind. Remember, you are a stranger that I'll likely not see again.

There's also the reasons not drop the car at a hotel or on the street. Car thieves use this tactic, and I got suckered to do it one time. To add insult to injury, the car belonged to a cop. Luckily, I was able to lead the police right to the chop-shop before any damage was done. Next, what if I drop it someplace and they have it trespassed, or worse, it gets vandalized or stripped? Would you hold me responsible? A judge would. The tower has to maintain custody, for the most part.

Lastly, the law requires that when you pick up your car, you must have ID and proof that you're the legal owner, current registration, insurance, and license. Otherwise, the state holds US responsible. This is because ex-spouses, loan sharks, car thieves, almost anyone would just love to drive away with a brand new car for $200, leaving the tow company holding the bag. I don't know what exactly happened in your case, but I see it from the tower's side. We don't need to do bad things to customers and risk losing our livelihood, especially over a relatively small fee.

They also DO NOT dispute legal charges on a tow bill. They pay monthly, and NEVER try to get the charge reversed.

For the annual cost of AAA though, the once in a while tow is very inexpensive.

That's so funny because my friend suggested the same thing and that's exactly what I did to avoid problems in the future - although truthfully, I hope there won't be a need to use it!

Simple solution - get AAA+ and the first tow, pays for the year. With AAA+, you get up to 100 miles for the tow - not a bad deal.

Also, AAA+ gets you gas should you run out, a locksmith should you lock yourself out, a jump should your battery be dead and a bunch of other things.

Just my 6 cents worth (2 cents adjusted for inflation).

Semper Fi, mac.

Simple solution - get AAA+ and the first tow, pays for the year. With AAA+, you get up to 100 miles for the tow - not a bad deal.

Also, AAA+ gets you gas should you run out, a locksmith should you lock yourself out, a jump should your battery be dead and a bunch of other things.

Just my 6 cents worth (2 cents adjusted for inflation).

Semper Fi, mac.

I realize that this was turned into a whole cash vs. credit debate by Robert (who has a very serious chip on his shoulder for being mistreated through his life) and I want to thank you for clarifying your objective. I appreciate your input. If I, as a customer, would be told in advance that you would not accept a credit/debit card payment, I would not do business with you because I make it a point not to carry hundreds of dollars in cash on me. If you, however, were to offer to take me to an ATM, I would also refuse - not because I didn't have the money - but because that in itself would be shady enough for me not to do business with you - why would you not be able to take my truck where I want it taken, but be able to take it to an ATM, where YOU want it taken? At least try to see my point here. Here is why:

This is America, land of capitalism and consumerism. This is not socialist Russia. People have options in this country - options to pay in ways as validated by the government. I was born in socialist Europe and saw my family and myself deal with people like Robert many countless times through my life. People like him don't listen (or read) but talk endlessly about a moot point, therefore Robert doesn't have any credibility with me simply because he happens to "own" his own business and runs it like a hoodlum on a streetside, badgering people (review this site yourself to see) and refusing to do things any other way but his. Number two: I am in need of a tow. I am the customer. Why not take me where I need to be towed? Why refuse to tow me where I need to be towed and instead, without my consent, abduct my property from under me? There is not a single record on file that has my signature approving this action.

Marc, here is the real point if you care to listen: If you were to read my initial complaint, it has nothing to do with the towing person not accepting money from me. It has to do with the way I was treated by him and his complete lack of explanation as to what he was going to do with my property. The complete miscommunication on his part stating that he was going to "just move the car off the highway and drop me off at the gas station or a hotel," was the catalyst in the entire situation. Had I KNOWN what was happening with my truck or that he was NOT going to leave it with me, I would have never allowed him to load it up onto his truck. This had nothing to do with money at this point. In fact, money was never even discussed. He didn't say anything to me the entire time I rode with him in his truck other than, "this is where I'll drop you off," and pointed to a hotel. No talk about money was ever exchanged. I don't know if he assumed I was going to pay through insurance or if I was simply going to pay when I picked up my truck but my point is this: Had I known he was not going to leave my property with me, I would have never allowed him to touch it. He took it to his lot so that I would have to pay for storage fees on top of everything else.

Now, here is the point where I have to just shake my head at Robert and completely ignore anything else he has to say. Hillside (the towing company) told me when I come get my truck I need to pay in cash only and I have to be present to come pick it up. Why, then, have I yet to this day to set foot at their place of business? Why, then, was my truck safely and securely retrieved by the collision repair company of my choice? They did NOT pay cash. I was NOT present with them.

If you would like to clarify these points, please do. Otherwise, I think Robert has beat a dead issue into the ground regarding his preferred payment of CASH (which he states is proof he got it legally - another laughable comment) to the ground.

Again, I appreciate your civil input and want you to note that you are in Hawaii, not Illinois, and our laws may differ than yours which is why my complaint is state-specific.

Elizabeth

"I don't have an agreement with the card company,I should have worded it better. It makes no sense to me to accept cards because an unscrupulous customer will simply do a chargeback once his car is safe at home."

EXACTLY!

"If they want to use a card, I'll take them to a cash machine and they can get cash money for me. If they can't, the car goes with me and stays until I'm paid off."

EXACTLY!

"What customers don't realize is that I'll simply put a lien on their car if they rip me off. I don't like paperwork and fighting with people that want me to work for free, so cash works just fine for me."

Again...EXACTLY!

"One woman tried to gouge out my eye with a pen when I told her her car wouldn't start unless it was in park, I'm sure you have plenty of "bad customer" stories too."

Yep. I have one idiot right now trying to dispute a charge for the installation of his own part. He brought the wrong master cylinder, and the only way to find out is to remove the old one, and compare side by side. I put his old one back on(he didn't understand why a shop marks up parts), and billed him for the labor. Fl law is on my side, and I have signed work orders and a signed/swiped card sales slip.

"I can't figure out Elizebeth's story, it just sounds wrong."

Ya think?

"Semper Fi."

Back atcha.

I don't have an agreement with the card company,I should have worded it better. It makes no sense to me to accept cards because an unscrupulous customer will simply do a chargeback once his car is safe at home. If they want to use a card, I'll take them to a cash machine and they can get cash money for me. If they can't, the car goes with me and stays until I'm paid off. What customers don't realize is that I'll simply put a lien on their car if they rip me off. I don't like paperwork and fighting with people that want me to work for free, so cash works just fine for me. One woman tried to gouge out my eye with a pen when I told her her car wouldn't start unless it was in park, I'm sure you have plenty of "bad customer" stories too. I can't figure out Elizebeth's story, it just sounds wrong. Semper Fi.

"My state requires I take credit cards."

Does the state require you to take them, or does it require you to accept them as payment IF you have a merchant agreement with a processor that ALLOWS you to accept them as payment?

The two are totally different. One says the State has a Law requiring a merchant to accept a form of payment that is NOT US Currency, while the other says the merchant cannot refuse alternative forms of payment IF the merchant already accepts it for other transactions. This is also part of the Merchant agreements with the credit cards.

I have yet to find a Law in any state requiring a merchant to take CC's at all. I find ones that require the merchants who DO accept CC's, to accept them for any and all transactions, but none that actually say "the merchant has no choice but to sign a merchant agreement, and expend income with another private firm, for the purpose of taking credit cards as payment".

You know exactly what happened the night in question. No cash, wanted to be dropped off in the middle of nowhere, and the driver knew who would be responsible for everything.

He did nothing wrong.

My state requires I take credit cards. I don't. I don't take checks from just anyone either, I profile. I'm not wasting my time taking deadbeats to court, so when the state starts paying my bills, I'll start taking orders from them. The police did not call the tow-truck, a dispatcher has a list of towers in front of her and she calls the zone-tow. The cop on the scene has nothing to say about it otherwise the cops would all own towing companies. The zone-tower has rules to follow, and I'd bet that he knows better than to drop off a car at a hotel parking lot or on the street. He'd then be responsible for whatever happens. Say he did drop it and then the cops had it towed for illegal parking or abandonment, or it was vandalized? Who would you blame then?

Is there a law in any State that REQUIRES a merchant to accept credit cards at all? Of course not. They only require the companies accept them "during normal business hours", if the company DOES accept them at all. This incident did not happen during normal business hours, so CASH would have been the SOP(Standard Operating Procedure).

As you know, a signature on the invoice AND the CC slip is all that is required to show proof of a legal transaction. The problem is, when some genius decides to dispute the charges, the CC company puts a hold on that amount until they determine who's right/who's wrong. THAT is why CASH is the normal method of payment. A CC that is punched in is immediately assumed by the CC company as suspicious. A "swiped" card is considered the favored way of transacting the sale, and the CC companies look at them as good charges. There is an enormously high rate of disputes with tow-aways, and impounds.

Elizabeth is giving her side, and only the part that makes her out to be a victim. You know as well as anyone else, towing companies are heavily regulated, and ANY infraction of the law will result in fines, loss of licenses, and more. Being taken OFF the rotation(TOL) list results in enormous losses of income and loss of the business completely. There is no logical reason for this driver to do anything illegal.

And for you Rosey, having an education and a vast volume of knowledge is NOT something I am ashamed of. My GCT score in the Marines was 138. Maximum is 150. Officers have to be a minimum of 110. This means I was brighter than ALL but one of the zeros I worked for. Most people score in the high double digits.

It is very common for tow truck companies to offer police "freebies" for them to suggest their company in situations such as hers. It happens in big cities and small towns. However, this may or may not have been the case with her, as since this company contracts with police, they may simply have been next on the list to call. And, it is not that uncommon for them to add charges or super high fees for services not performed or authorized.


It can be worth it to use, as she suggests, your insurance company, or a business such as AAA. Many cities have rules regarding towing and fees from accidents, and who tows your car if you are incapacitated. In some cases there is a rotating list of contracted tow companies, in others, the city itself may have its own tow fleet and yard. Check out your options now just in case you ever find yourself in a similiar situation.

Elizabeth, I certainly hope you didn't or won't end up paying those guys. Good luck.

I did ask my husband if he would take a credit card from a pissed off customer and he said, "Yes I would if it was during regular business hours."

His company takes checks and credit cards for everything except impound releases.

He calls the credit card number in to the office and it is run through the machine there. And, as per Oklahoma law, as long as there is a signature on the ticket for the tow, credit card charges cannot be reversed. The tow must be paid for or the Wrecker Company takes you to Small Claims Court, it's that simple. And, believe me, with that signature, the wrecker company wins every time!

This guy and this company sound like a bunch of jacka**es.

I would definitely call the DOT, and report them. I see no reason why he couldn't just tow it to your house. His excuse is totally lame. So what if he's got tows lined up all night. Make them wait. That's what the company my husband works for does.

You may also want to try calling the Department of Commerce. They are the ones who license wrecker companies.

Also, get the Media involved.

Good luck with this, keep us updated- ok?

Since a certain grumpy soul has taken us off the subject here, I'd like to state in accordance with my original post:

This is just to clarify that the issue here is the refusal of towing my property where I had indicated I wanted it towed, then the lack of communication of where the vehicle was being taken (or that it was being taken at all) and the dispute of charges following an impound based on the decision of the driver, not myself.

This has nothing to do with the ability to pay any charges in cash or any other way.

It seems that the mean-spirited poster tacked himself on to the one point and just doesn't want to let go as is often the case with beaureaucratic grimy "businessmen" who feel they own the rules simply because they decided to open a business of sorts.

Whenever I have been towed in the past, that is aside from this incident, 100% of the times I have been given an option to pay by cash, check or credit card on the spot. And that is all that needs to be stated in regards to that one issue.

My reason for posting the cash issue in the first place is to merely point out the slew of lies I was fed from this "company" from the beginning and how untrustworthy they are. Again, for those near the area, this is

HILLSIDE SERVICE
200 E PALATINE RD
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL

Please be careful when you are in an accident and an officer of the law offers you any type of service. It is truly best to say No-Thankyou and to call your insurance company to refer you to a place that will do exactly what you wish them to do. You are paying them your hard-earned money for their service after all.

Elizabeth

Hi Robert,

You are so angry. I wonder who didn't provide you enough love and attention as a child and how many people absolutely cannot even bear to look at the monster you've become.

Go ahead and run your business in Jacksonville FL in your dictatorship manner meanwhile, us normal people everywhere else in the nation, will know never to do business with harrowed and scorned individuals such as yourself.

As far as my situation is concerned, stating what DID happen versus what DID NOT happen by YOU is like a fish telling a bird what's it's like to fly. Go harass someone else - you're a prime example of the type of people I'm trying to warn consumers against. And shove whatever cash you get illegally where the sun doesn't shine.

From now on, everything and ANYTHING AT ALL that you post here will be ignored due to the content of its "idiocy".

Hey, I copied and pasted what you requested - by the text in your previous entry requesting such, you admittedly state "I GOT YOU". Now go away and growl at a loose, rabid dog.

Elizabeth.

Lori - sorry for only answering one part of the question!

The accident happened in the afternoon about 6pm in broad daylight. The only reason the tower stated that he was not going to tow me to my home is because he was "too busy with other tows".

Hi Lori

You know what the bizarre thing is? I wasn't even asked how I was going to pay for the tow. The man didn't discuss any of that with me. He drove me to the nearest hotel in total silence then just pulled away without saying another word to me after dropping me off. He didn't know if I had cash or not because he never even asked. From the beginning he just flat out refused to take the truck where I needed it to go. My collision place paid for the charges when they retrieved the vehicle for me - meaning that the tow place told me yet another lie when they said I HAVE to be there for them to release the vehicle. If I had to be there and it had to be cash only, how was my collision repair place able to retrieve it? Unbelievable!

Thank you for your advice. I am doing everything I can to raise awareness against this terrible treatment!

After discussing your report with my husband, I have a few questions.

First, what time of day was this accident?

Second, did you have the money to pay for the tow or was your insurance company going to pay for it?

If this accident happened late at night, then no, the towing company does not have to accept credit cards, however, they can offer to take you to an ATM.

If your insurance company was going to pay for the tow, then yes it is taken to their lot.

Need more info please.

And all that you pasted applies to impound.

"Since an accident is totally different than an impound" the company can make up their own rules, within reason. Cash Only could be one of them.

Yes, you should have been allowed to have the vehicle unhooked anywhere you wanted. Yes, the vehicle was "stolen" from you.

Was there any conversation about payment while you were being towed?

I ask because I imagine that if the driver felt that you weren't going to, or couldn't, pay, then he had to deliver the truck to their lot. At that point I would think it becomes an impound, and at that point, yes, they should have accepted VISA.

(To quote from a PDF file, there's a little Text Selection icon on the toolbar.)

You filed a well-researched report and know your rights. Now run with it and demand satisfaction! And reimbursement.

Ignore Robert from Jacksonville as much as possible. He runs an auto repair shop and thinks he knows absolutely everything to know about everything. He also believes that the "customer is always wrong" (search the phrase here at Rip-off Report and you will find Robert repeating it ad nauseum) and that a company owner should be allowed to step in and take over everything by right. I am not sure if that is supposed to be for the consumer's good or his own (I lean toward his own good at the expense of the customer from his attitudes here).

So, Robert naturally thinks that the tow truck driver is completely justified in hauling your rig to a location of his choice rather than yours and demanding payment in cash. Even if it is against the current laws.

Robert has shown himself to be both a fool and a jerk numerous times at this forum. Don't let him get to you. Continue to pursue satisfaction and good luck.

Elizabeth is not being very truthful.

The truck arrived to tow the vehicle as requested. Elizabeth then got into a pissing contest with the driver. He threw her out of his truck and impounded the vehicle. She wanted to pay him with a credit card, and very few(I've never actually met one who does) drivers carry a WIFI CC processing machine with them. They don't take checks for obvious reasons, and she had no cash. She insisted on one thing, and the driver/tow company did another, for one reason...so they would get paid. They knew she would immediately dispute any and all charges with her CC company, so they demanded CASH, as is their right to do.

Merchantes accept CC's ONLY as a convenience to their customers, not because their is a LAW that says they must. Elizabeth likes the part of the law that says they have to accept the card as payment, but not the obvious truth that NO merchant is required to accept anything other than US Currency. There is no LAW, anywhere, that says a merchant MUST accept CC's. Taking CC's costs money, and tow truck companies would never get paid if they accepted them as payment. EVERYONE would dispute a tow-away and impound fee.

Your husband runs a truck. Ask him if HE would accept a CC as payment from a pissed off customer. He also knows the vehicle has to go to wherever the customer wants, but if the customer cannot PAY, the vehicle goes to the impound lot.

This is just too simple to believe it happened any other way.

Report this company to the DOT.

I say this because my husband is a wrecker driver, on police rotation, and when he responds to an accident, he will tow the vehicle to where ever the owner wants it to go. Since an accident is totally different than an impound.

Hope this helps.

So, your State has determined paying for goods and services MUST be done with something in addition to US Currency. That's very interesting. Here's a clue. It is STILL the right of the merchant to determine how he wants to be paid. I wonder what Illinois will do if someone doesn't take credit cards at all. I'd love to see that go to trial. "Your Honor...this mercahant refuses to take monopoly Money or other forms of pretend payment. He only accepts US Currency for his goods and services". I'll bet that goes real far.

The only reason your posting at all is because he knew you'd dispute the charges, and try to get your money back. Again, that's EXACTLY why they don't take credit cards for the towing and storage.

You know it, and so does everyone else.

number one: you're in jacksonville florida. what exactly do YOU have to do with IL vehicle relocation that interests you so terribly?

number two: why are you getting hung up on a tangent about the form of payment? this is not about the form of payment as it is about the situation. what kind of backhanded intellect have you acquired?

number three: i see you really ARE blind. since you cannot click on a link to read content yourself, or rather, are UNABLE to read content here is the entire content and i've placed asterisks by the section in question:

"Public Act 094-0522

SB0066 Enrolled LRB094 05931 DRH 35985 b



AN ACT concerning transportation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by changing
Section 4-203 as follows:

(625 ILCS 5/4-203) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 4-203)
Sec. 4-203. Removal of motor vehicles or other vehicles;
Towing or hauling away.
(a) When a vehicle is abandoned, or left unattended, on a
toll highway, interstate highway, or expressway for 2 hours or
more, its removal by a towing service may be authorized by a
law enforcement agency having jurisdiction.
(b) When a vehicle is abandoned on a highway in an urban
district 10 hours or more, its removal by a towing service may
be authorized by a law enforcement agency having jurisdiction.
(c) 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 a law
enforcement agency having jurisdiction.
(d) When an abandoned, unattended, wrecked, burned or
partially dismantled vehicle is creating a traffic hazard
because of its position in relation to the highway or its
physical appearance is causing the impeding of traffic, its
immediate removal from the highway or private property adjacent
to the highway by a towing service may be authorized by a law
enforcement agency having jurisdiction.
(e) Whenever a peace officer reasonably believes that a
person under arrest for a violation of Section 11-501 of this
Code or a similar provision of a local ordinance is likely,
upon release, to commit a subsequent violation of Section
11-501, or a similar provision of a local ordinance, the

arresting officer shall have the vehicle which the person was
operating at the time of the arrest impounded for a period of
not more than 12 hours after the time of arrest. However, such
vehicle may be released by the arresting law enforcement agency
prior to the end of the impoundment period if:
(1) the vehicle was not owned by the person under
arrest, and the lawful owner requesting such release
possesses a valid operator's license, proof of ownership,
and would not, as determined by the arresting law
enforcement agency, indicate a lack of ability to operate a
motor vehicle in a safe manner, or who would otherwise, by
operating such motor vehicle, be in violation of this Code;
or
(2) the vehicle is owned by the person under arrest,
and the person under arrest gives permission to another
person to operate such vehicle, provided however, that the
other person possesses a valid operator's license and would
not, as determined by the arresting law enforcement agency,
indicate a lack of ability to operate a motor vehicle in a
safe manner or who would otherwise, by operating such motor
vehicle, be in violation of this Code.
(e-5) Whenever a registered owner of a vehicle is taken
into custody for operating the vehicle in violation of Section
11-501 of this Code or a similar provision of a local ordinance
or Section 6-303 of this Code, a law enforcement officer may
have the vehicle immediately impounded for a period not less
than:
(1) 24 hours for a second violation of Section 11-501
of this Code or a similar provision of a local ordinance or
Section 6-303 of this Code or a combination of these
offenses; or
(2) 48 hours for a third violation of Section 11-501 of
this Code or a similar provision of a local ordinance or
Section 6-303 of this Code or a combination of these
offenses.
The vehicle may be released sooner if the vehicle is owned

by the person under arrest and the person under arrest gives
permission to another person to operate the vehicle and that
other person possesses a valid operator's license and would
not, as determined by the arresting law enforcement agency,
indicate a lack of ability to operate a motor vehicle in a safe
manner or would otherwise, by operating the motor vehicle, be
in violation of this Code.
(f) Except as provided in Chapter 18a of this Code, the
owner or lessor of privately owned real property within this
State, or any person authorized by such owner or lessor, or any
law enforcement agency in the case of publicly owned real
property may cause any motor vehicle abandoned or left
unattended upon such property without permission to be removed
by a towing service without liability for the costs of removal,
transportation or storage or damage caused by such removal,
transportation or storage. The towing or removal of any vehicle
from private property without the consent of the registered
owner or other legally authorized person in control of the
vehicle is subject to compliance with the following conditions
and restrictions:
1. Any towed or removed vehicle must be stored at the
site of the towing service's place of business. The site
must be open during business hours, and for the purpose of
redemption of vehicles, during the time that the person or
firm towing such vehicle is open for towing purposes.
2. The towing service shall within 30 minutes of
completion of such towing or removal, notify the law
enforcement agency having jurisdiction of such towing or
removal, and the make, model, color and license plate
number of the vehicle, and shall obtain and record the name
of the person at the law enforcement agency to whom such
information was reported.
3. If the registered owner or legally authorized person
entitled to possession of the vehicle shall arrive at the
scene prior to actual removal or towing of the vehicle, the
vehicle shall be disconnected from the tow truck and that

person shall be allowed to remove the vehicle without
interference, upon the payment of a reasonable service fee
of not more than one half the posted rate of the towing
service as provided in paragraph 6 of this subsection, for
which a receipt shall be given.
4. The rebate or payment of money or any other valuable
consideration from the towing service or its owners,
managers or employees to the owners or operators of the
premises from which the vehicles are towed or removed, for
the privilege of removing or towing those vehicles, is
prohibited. Any individual who violates this paragraph
shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
5. Except for property appurtenant to and obviously a
part of a single family residence, and except for instances
where notice is personally given to the owner or other
legally authorized person in control of the vehicle that
the area in which that vehicle is parked is reserved or
otherwise unavailable to unauthorized vehicles and they
are subject to being removed at the owner or operator's
expense, any property owner or lessor, prior to towing or
removing any vehicle from private property without the
consent of the owner or other legally authorized person in
control of that vehicle, must post a notice meeting the
following requirements:
a. The notice must be prominently placed at each
driveway access or curb cut allowing vehicular access
to the property within 5 feet from the public
right-of-way line. If there are no curbs or access
barriers, the sign must be posted not less than one
sign each 100 feet of lot frontage.
b. The notice must indicate clearly, in not less
than 2 inch high light-reflective letters on a
contrasting background, that unauthorized vehicles
will be towed away at the owner's expense.
c. The notice must also provide the name and
current telephone number of the towing service towing

or removing the vehicle.
d. The sign structure containing the required
notices must be permanently installed with the bottom
of the sign not less than 4 feet above ground level,
and must be continuously maintained on the property for
not less than 24 hours prior to the towing or removing
of any vehicle.
6. Any towing service that tows or removes vehicles and
proposes to require the owner, operator, or person in
control of the vehicle to pay the costs of towing and
storage prior to redemption of the vehicle must file and
keep on record with the local law enforcement agency a
complete copy of the current rates to be charged for such
services, and post at the storage site an identical rate
schedule and any written contracts with property owners,
lessors, or persons in control of property which authorize
them to remove vehicles as provided in this Section.
7. No person shall engage in the removal of vehicles
from private property as described in this Section without
filing a notice of intent in each community where he
intends to do such removal, and such notice shall be filed
at least 7 days before commencing such towing.
8. No removal of a vehicle from private property shall
be done except upon express written instructions of the
owners or persons in charge of the private property upon
which the vehicle is said to be trespassing.
9. Vehicle entry for the purpose of removal shall be
allowed with reasonable care on the part of the person or
firm towing the vehicle. Such person or firm shall be
liable for any damages occasioned to the vehicle if such
entry is not in accordance with the standards of reasonable
care.
10. When a vehicle has been towed or removed pursuant
to this Section, it must be released to its owner or
custodian within one half hour after requested, if such
request is made during business hours. Any vehicle owner or

custodian or agent shall have the right to inspect the
vehicle before accepting its return, and no release or
waiver of any kind which would release the towing service
from liability for damages incurred during the towing and
storage may be required from any vehicle owner or other
legally authorized person as a condition of release of the
vehicle. A detailed, signed receipt showing the legal name
of the towing service must be given to the person paying
towing or storage charges at the time of payment, whether
requested or not.
This Section shall not apply to law enforcement,
firefighting, rescue, ambulance, or other emergency vehicles
which are marked as such or to property owned by any
governmental entity.
When an authorized person improperly causes a motor vehicle
to be removed, such person shall be liable to the owner or
lessee of the vehicle for the cost or removal, transportation
and storage, any damages resulting from the removal,
transportation and storage, attorney's fee and court costs.
****************** Any towing or storage charges accrued shall be payable by
the use of any major credit card, in addition to being payable
in cash. ***********************
11. Towing companies shall also provide insurance
coverage for areas where vehicles towed under the
provisions of this Chapter will be impounded or otherwise
stored, and shall adequately cover loss by fire, theft or
other risks.
Any person who fails to comply with the conditions and
restrictions of this subsection shall be guilty of a Class C
misdemeanor and shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than
$500.
(g) When a vehicle is determined to be a hazardous
dilapidated motor vehicle pursuant to Section 11-40-3.1 of the
Illinois Municipal Code, its removal and impoundment by a
towing service may be authorized by a law enforcement agency
with appropriate jurisdiction.

When a vehicle removal from either public or private
property is authorized by a law enforcement agency, the owner
of the vehicle shall be responsible for all towing and storage
charges.
Vehicles removed from public or private property and stored
by a commercial vehicle relocator or any other towing service
in compliance with this Section and Sections 4-201 and 4-202 of
this Code, or at the request of the vehicle owner or operator,
shall be subject to a possessor lien for services pursuant to
the Labor and Storage Lien (Small Amount) Act. "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 provisions 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. In no event shall such lien be greater than
the rate or rates established in accordance with subsection (6)
of Section 18a-200 of this 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 Act.
Every such lien shall be payable by use of any major credit
card, in addition to being payable in cash.
Any personal property belonging to the vehicle owner in a
vehicle subject to a lien under this subsection (g) shall
likewise be subject to that lien, excepting only: food;
medicine; perishable property; any operator's licenses; any
cash, credit cards, or checks or checkbooks; and any wallet,
purse, or other property containing any operator's license or
other identifying documents or materials, cash, credit cards,
checks, or checkbooks.
No lien under this subsection (g) shall: exceed $2,000 in
its total amount; or be increased or altered to reflect any
charge for services or materials rendered in addition to those
authorized by this Act.
(Source: P.A. 90-738, eff. 1-1-99.)


Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.


Effective Date: 8/10/200"

number four: have you read this far? i doubt it. the second link i posted: http://www.icc.illinois.gov/docs/mc/040715tow.pdf is a pdf file. do you know what a pdf file is? it's a file that is loaded in adobe acrobat reader therefore cannot be copied and pasted WHICH IS WHY I LINKED TO THE MAIN WEBSITE: http://www.icc.illinois.gov/mc/towing.aspx WHERE IT HAS TWO LINKS ON THE BOTTOM QUOTING:

Complaint Report Form Concerning Relocator Practices
Consumers Guide to Relocation Towing Regulations

and to add to your ignorant comment as i'm quoting here : "This eliminates the idiocy of the "customer" disputing the charge, and the merchant having to prove they got the money legally."

the only one that is apparent of any idiocy is yourself if you think that showing you've gotten cash for something proves you got it legally. i think the mob would concur with me on this one.

I reread the first link. I can't find anything that says how the mercahnt must take credit cards for your towed away vehicle. I also can't find it in either of your two other links.

So, why don't you prove me wrong, and just copy and paste it for me? Then, you'll be able to say you "got" me.

You won't, because it doesn't say anything at all about credit cards. How is the State going to require a merchant of any type to accept a means of payment that is NOT US currency?

I await your response with breathless anticipation.

you must not be very good at reading...either that or your attention span doesn't allow for reading things all the way through.

read again below section f10.

also look at this:http://www.icc.illinois.gov/docs/mc/040715tow.pdf

which was taken from this site: http://www.icc.illinois.gov/mc/towing.aspx

nice try, indeed.

The merchant always reserves the right to require payment in CASH. ALL towing companies require cash for impounded vehicles. This eliminates the idiocy of the "customer" disputing the charge, and the merchant having to prove they got the money legally. Credit Card companies generally side with the consumer, not the merchant.

I went to your link. NOWHERE in it does it say anything about the towing/storage company being required to accept credit cards for payment. Nice try.

ADDITIONALLY:
The woman I spoke to at the answering service for Hillside towing who claimed it was their policy to tow to their lot, also claimed that they would accept only CASH as a form of payment from me.

I did research online and found that through the Illinois Vehicle Code by means of Public Act 094-0522, "Any towing or storage charges accrued shall be payable by the use of any major credit card, in addition to being payable in cash."

Here is the link: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=094-0522