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Your rights after a tow in Illinois

Illinois law sets rules for towing from private property, such as apartment complexes and store lots. One set of maximum rates applies across the state. Here is what the law says, in plain English.

Maximum charges in Illinois

$238.20

Ceiling to tow a standard car from private property under Illinois Commerce Commission area (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Will and Winnebago counties) rates; your city may set its own

Not published

Illinois Commerce Commission area (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Will and Winnebago counties) ceiling per day of storage, starting after 24 hours

These rates may have changed since this schedule was published. Schedules are often updated once a year, so check the official source before relying on them.

Other Illinois Commerce Commission area (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Will and Winnebago counties) maximums
Charge	Maximum
Relocation invoice fee	$2.50

The ICC lists $238.20 as the current maximum light-duty relocation tow rate, plus a $2.50 invoice fee. The daily storage maximum was not found; no storage may be charged for the first 24 hours. These caps apply only in the five ICC counties. See the official Illinois Commerce Commission area (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Will and Winnebago counties) rates (opens in a new tab).

Pick your city

Tow-away signs

Before a lot can have cars towed, it must post a sign at least 24 by 36 inches, hung 4 to 8 feet off the ground, and lit or made of reflective paint. It must be visible from each entrance and exit, or within 100 feet of any space if there are no marked entrances. 625 ILCS 5/18a-302; 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1710.51(c) (opens in a new tab)
The sign must warn that unauthorized cars will be towed, with that warning in letters at least 3 inches tall. It must show the towing company's full name, address and phone, where the car will be taken, the most it will charge, and the hours you can pick up. 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1710.51(a)-(b); 625 ILCS 5/18a-302 (opens in a new tab)
Signs must be up at least 24 hours before a car is towed from the lot, and a company that tows without proper signs cannot charge you. Signs are not required on residential property clearly reserved for residents and their vehicles. 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1710.50, 1710.122(f); 625 ILCS 5/18a-302 (opens in a new tab)

If you get back before the tow leaves

If you show up before the tow is finished and can drive the car away right then, the driver may not take it. The law sets no drop fee for regular cars; only vehicles needing a commercial license may be charged up to half the posted rate. 625 ILCS 5/18a-300(9) (opens in a new tab)

Where your car can be taken

The car may not be towed more than 10 air miles if it was towed from an incorporated area, or more than 15 air miles if from an unincorporated part of a county. Air miles are measured in a straight line, not by road. 625 ILCS 5/18a-300(14); 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1710.10 (opens in a new tab)
The tow company must tell local police within 1 hour after towing, including a description of your car and where it was taken. Call the police non-emergency line first if you cannot find your car. 625 ILCS 5/18a-300(11) (opens in a new tab)

Getting your car back

The company must keep the lot open for pickups during all hours it tows and for 2 hours after it stops towing, with an authorized person on site. It cannot charge storage for hours or days it is closed. 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1710.123, 1710.132, 1710.122(c) (opens in a new tab)
If the car is at the company's main lot, it must be released immediately once you show ID and pay. At a secondary lot, release can take up to 2 hours if you are ready before 5 p.m. on a weekday, or until 10 a.m. the next day otherwise. 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1710.120(a) (opens in a new tab)
You (or your agent) must show a valid driver's license plus a key that starts the car, or proof of ownership or authorized use such as a title, current registration, bill of sale, or lease or rental contract. 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1710.121 (opens in a new tab)
The company must accept cash, traveler's checks, money orders, cashier's checks, certified checks, and commonly accepted credit and debit cards. Any card fee counts toward the legal maximum, so it cannot be added on top. 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1710.122(a); 625 ILCS 5/18a-200(6) (opens in a new tab)
The company must keep a phone number answered during towing hours and give it to local police. If you cannot reach it after trying for an hour, all towing and storage fees are waived. Three calls placed by police within an hour, two at least 45 minutes apart, count as proof. 625 ILCS 5/18a-300(15) (opens in a new tab)

Fees and rate caps

In Cook, DuPage, Kane, Will and Winnebago counties the Illinois Commerce Commission sets maximum tow and storage rates for private-property tows. The tow rate cannot exceed the average of the five highest police-tow rates in that territory. 625 ILCS 5/18a-200(6); 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1710.190 (opens in a new tab)
No storage charge is allowed for the first 24 hours after the tow, and none after you show ID and offer payment. No storage can be charged for days or hours the company is closed to the public. 625 ILCS 5/18a-200(6); 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1710.122(b)-(c) (opens in a new tab)
A company may charge only the lesser of the ICC rate or the amount on its own sign. It must keep its rates posted and open to the public, and give you a written invoice that includes complaint instructions. 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1710.122(e); 625 ILCS 5/18a-500; 18a-300(13.1), (18) (opens in a new tab)
The company must refund anything charged above the posted rate or the ICC maximum, including card fees. If it has to be ordered to refund, the ICC can do so after a hearing. 625 ILCS 5/18a-300(18); 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1710.147(a) (opens in a new tab)
Outside the five ICC counties the state relocation law does not set rates. Non-home-rule cities and counties may regulate relocation towing in addition to state law, and home-rule cities are not limited by it, so check your local ordinance. 625 ILCS 5/18a-102 (opens in a new tab)

Storage notices and sale deadlines

A towing company that wants storage fees must send certified-mail notice to the car's lienholder within 2 business days of the tow, or it cannot collect storage or enforce a lien. If you have a car loan, your lender may be the one notified. 625 ILCS 5/4-216(a)-(b), (e) (opens in a new tab)
Unclaimed cars are handled under the abandoned-vehicle sale rules. A car 7 years old or newer can be sold at auction if unclaimed 30 days after notice, with sale notice posted on site and certified mail sent at least 10 days before the sale. 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1710.180; 625 ILCS 5/4-208(b) (opens in a new tab)

If the tow was wrong

You can file a complaint and the ICC can order a refund after a hearing if the tow lacked proper signs for 24 hours, took a car from a space where it was allowed, happened while you were present, or had no valid written authorization on file. A person unhappy with an ICC order can seek review in circuit court. 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1710.147(b); 625 ILCS 5/18a-200(10), 18a-103 (opens in a new tab)
Complaint forms are on the back of the relocation invoice. Mail the completed form to the ICC at 9511 W. Harrison Street, Des Plaines, IL 60016, or call the ICC Police at 847-294-4326. ICC Relocation Towing Consumer Information (opens in a new tab)
If you paid by credit card, you can dispute the charge with your card issuer. For billing errors, your written dispute generally must reach the issuer within 60 days of the first bill showing the charge. Whether a tow charge qualifies is up to the issuer. Fair Credit Billing Act (FTC guidance) (opens in a new tab)

Where to complain

Illinois Commerce Commission, ICC Police (relocation towing). Handles complaints about private-property tows in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Will and Winnebago counties. Use the form on the back of your invoice or the ICC transportation complaint form; phone 847-294-4326. It does not handle police-ordered tows, tows from public streets, or damage claims. File a complaint (opens in a new tab)
Your city or county. Outside the five ICC counties, and for booting on private property, rules come from local ordinances, so contact the city or county where you were towed.

Illinois small claims covers money claims based on tort or contract of up to $10,000, not counting interest and costs.

Check your tow

Sources

Last checked 2026-10-17. These are the laws and official pages this page is based on.