SB2261 Summary

• Creates the Statewide Relocation Towing Licensure Commission with 14 members including legislators, state officials, municipal representatives, and towing/insurance industry members to evaluate Illinois towing laws and regulations.

• Commission must submit a report to the Governor and General Assembly by July 1, 2017, including an evaluation of current towing laws, recommendations for an appropriate towing program, and a review of potential litigation costs for vehicle owners, towing companies, and municipalities.

• Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to restrict vehicle impoundment and administrative fees to specific violations including DUI, driving with suspended/revoked license, felonies, drug offenses, and operating without a valid driver's license, with exceptions for unpaid citations or emission testing failures.

• Requires administrative hearings for vehicle impoundment disputes to be conducted by licensed attorneys with written decisions; establishes 45-day hearing deadline and allows liability against municipalities that exceed their authority, including storage fees and attorney's fees.

• Makes unsolicited towing solicitations at accident scenes a Class 4 felony with license suspension penalties, and allows vehicle owners or their insurers to sue violators for attorney's fees and costs.

• Act automatically repeals January 1, 2018.