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Illinois towing laws

Towing from private lots in Illinois is capped at rates set by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC).

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In Cook, DuPage, Kane, Will and Winnebago counties the ICC licenses the tow companies directly, and elsewhere state law still says private-lot tow charges cannot go above the ICC maximum. Police-ordered tows are not regulated by the ICC, so cities and police agencies set those fees.

Checked Nov 14, 2026 · Regulator: Illinois Commerce Commission (relocation towing)

At a glance

Tow fee limit$238.20Most they can charge. For a private-lot tow, car or SUV.Storage per dayNot verifiedWe could not confirm a statewide figure.Release if you get there first?YesIn ICC counties a tower may not take a car if the owner shows up before it leaves the lot with the key and…Get your belongings?YesCertain items are exempt from the tow lien and can be taken out without paying, including child car seats,…Right to a hearingPartlyThere is no state hearing for private-lot tows, but you can file a complaint with the ICC and get a refund…Must take card?YesThey must accept: cash, credit, debit, check.
  1. Find the carLookups for Chicago
  2. Check the billFee calculator
  3. Contest itYour rights

Fee limits

Towed from a private lotApartments, stores, businesses

FeeAmount
Private-property tow, light vehicle11215
DetailsICC maximum relocation rate for vehicles under 8,000 lb GVWR. The tower may also charge less if its posted sign shows a lower price, and a credit card fee must fit inside the cap.
Up to $238.20
Tow record (invoice) add-on, light vehicle1415
DetailsThe ICC lets relocators add this amount to the light-duty rate to cover the state tow record form.
Up to $2.50
Daily storage after a private-property tow
DetailsThe ICC sets a maximum daily storage rate, but we have not read the current number. No storage may be charged for the first 24 hours.
Not verified

Police-ordered towsParking tickets, no insurance, arrests

FeeAmount
Police-ordered tow, light vehicle15
DetailsThe ICC does not regulate police-ordered tows. Rates are set by the city, county or police agency.
Set by city or county

Local rates. Police-ordered tows and city impounds are priced locally. Chicago sets its own impound and administrative fees by city ordinance, and many suburbs charge a separate administrative impound fee under state law. Local governments may add rules for private-lot towing on top of the state rules.

What will I owe in Illinois?

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Who had it towed?

Got your receipt? Check it for overcharges

Type what the lot charged for each line. We flag anything above a confirmed legal cap.

Your rights: drop fee, belongings, hearing

Yes

Release for a drop feeIf you reach the car before it is towed away

In ICC counties a tower may not take a car if the owner shows up before it leaves the lot with the key and drives it away right away. Elsewhere the tower must unhook the car for a fee of no more than half its posted tow rate and give a receipt.57

Yes

Get your belongings outWithout paying the tow first

Certain items are exempt from the tow lien and can be taken out without paying, including child car seats, eyeglasses, food, medicine, medical devices, driver's licenses, wallets and purses, cash and cards, and school textbooks. After a crash, an owner with insurance that covers towing can claim all personal property.45

Partly

Right to a hearingTo contest the tow

There is no state hearing for private-lot tows, but you can file a complaint with the ICC and get a refund of any overcharge. When a town impounds a car and charges an administrative fee, it must offer a hearing, mail notice within 10 days, and hold the first hearing within 45 days of that notice.1615

Yes

Payment they must take

ICC-licensed relocators must accept cash, money orders, traveler's checks, cashier's or certified checks, and common credit and debit cards. Other private-lot towers must take cash, cashier's or certified check, debit card, credit card or wire transfer.4512

Yes

Owner noticeWhat the tower must tell you or police

The tower must tell the local police about a private-lot tow within one hour in ICC counties and within 30 minutes elsewhere. Unclaimed cars must be reported to police after 15 days in ICC counties.259

Yes

Storage rules

No storage fee may be charged for the first 24 hours after a private-lot tow, or for days and hours the lot is closed to the public. If the car was reported stolen before the tow, storage is limited to 8 days.11213

Yes

What to bringTo get the car released

In ICC counties the car must be released right away from the main lot once you show ID and pay. Elsewhere it must be released within 30 minutes of a request during business hours, and you may inspect it first.51011

Yes

Tow-away signsRequired on private lots

A sign of at least 24 by 36 inches, mounted 4 to 8 feet high and lit or reflective, must warn that cars will be towed and give the tow company name, phone number and charges. Signs must be up at least 24 hours before a tow.358

By situation

Illinois cities

Think the tow or the bill was wrong?

Ask the lot for an itemized receipt, compare it to the legal limits in Illinois, and request a hearing before the deadline. Our step-by-step guide and calculator are free.

Guides: how to fight a tow · what to bring · impound costs by city

Questions

Is there a limit on towing fees in Illinois?

Yes. Private-property tow, light vehicle: up to $238.20.

Does a tow truck have to release my car in Illinois if I get there first?

In ICC counties a tower may not take a car if the owner shows up before it leaves the lot with the key and drives it away right away. Elsewhere the tower must unhook the car for a fee of no more than half its posted tow rate and give a receipt.

Can I get my belongings out of a towed car in Illinois?

Certain items are exempt from the tow lien and can be taken out without paying, including child car seats, eyeglasses, food, medicine, medical devices, driver's licenses, wallets and purses, cash and cards, and school textbooks. After a crash, an owner with insurance that covers towing can claim all personal property.

How do I contest a tow in Illinois?

There is no state hearing for private-lot tows, but you can file a complaint with the ICC and get a refund of any overcharge. When a town impounds a car and charges an administrative fee, it must offer a hearing, mail notice within 10 days, and hold the first hearing within 45 days of that notice.

What payment do tow lots have to accept in Illinois?

ICC-licensed relocators must accept cash, money orders, traveler's checks, cashier's or certified checks, and common credit and debit cards. Other private-lot towers must take cash, cashier's or certified check, debit card, credit card or wire transfer.

Sources

Last checked Nov 14, 2026. Fees and rules change: confirm with the lot or agency before you go. Spot an error? Tell us.

  1. Illinois Vehicle Code 18a-200, Commission powers and rates (625 ILCS 5/18a-200), Illinois General Assembly. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
  2. Illinois Vehicle Code 18a-300, relocator unlawful practices (625 ILCS 5/18a-300), Illinois General Assembly. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
  3. Illinois Vehicle Code 18a-302, sign requirements (625 ILCS 5/18a-302), Illinois General Assembly. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
  4. Illinois Vehicle Code 18a-501, liens against relocated vehicles (625 ILCS 5/18a-501), Illinois General Assembly. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
  5. Illinois Vehicle Code 4-203, removal of vehicles and private property towing (625 ILCS 5/4-203), Illinois General Assembly. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
  6. Illinois Vehicle Code 11-208.7, administrative impound fees and hearings (625 ILCS 5/11-208.7), Illinois General Assembly. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
  7. Relocation Towing rules 1710.43, owner or driver present (92 Ill. Adm. Code 1710.43), Illinois Commerce Commission. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
  8. Relocation Towing rules 1710.51, sign specifications (92 Ill. Adm. Code 1710.51), Illinois Commerce Commission. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
  9. Relocation Towing rules 1710.80, notice to police (92 Ill. Adm. Code 1710.80), Illinois Commerce Commission. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
  10. Relocation Towing rules 1710.120, release of vehicles (92 Ill. Adm. Code 1710.120), Illinois Commerce Commission. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
  11. Relocation Towing rules 1710.121, identification of owner (92 Ill. Adm. Code 1710.121), Illinois Commerce Commission. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
  12. Relocation Towing rules 1710.122, payment of fees and charges (92 Ill. Adm. Code 1710.122), Illinois Commerce Commission. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
  13. Relocation Towing rules 1710.123, hours to reclaim vehicles (92 Ill. Adm. Code 1710.123), Illinois Commerce Commission. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
  14. Relocation Towing rules 1710.170, relocation tow record form (92 Ill. Adm. Code 1710.170), Illinois Commerce Commission. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
  15. ICC Police frequently asked questions (relocation towing rates), Illinois Commerce Commission. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
  16. ICC Relocation Towing page (counties covered), Illinois Commerce Commission. Checked Nov 14, 2026.