Where is Central Auto Pound?

500 E Wacker Dr (Lower Level), Chicago, IL.

What are the hours at Central Auto Pound?

24/7, 365 days a year. Call ahead to confirm, hours change on holidays.

Central Auto Pound

Where Chicago towed cars are stored.

Checked Nov 14, 2026. We don't have your car: call the lot to confirm it is there.

Address: 500 E Wacker Dr (Lower Level), Chicago, IL
Hours: 24/7, 365 days a year
Payment: cash, credit, debit

Good to know: Payment pages differ on money orders. Finance says USPS money orders are accepted, while Streets and Sanitation says money orders are not. Damage claims for this pound go to the City Clerk.

Fees

Fee	Amount	Applies to
Police or city tow, vehicle under 8,000 lb1 4	$250	Police-ordered
Police or city tow, vehicle 8,000 lb or more1 4	$350	Police-ordered
Daily storage, vehicle under 8,000 lb1 4Total storage is capped at $1,500.	$50 / day	Police-ordered
Daily storage, vehicle 8,000 lb or more1 4Total storage is capped at $1,500.	$100 / day	Police-ordered

City-set fees for police tows are on the Chicago page.

Legal limits: Illinois towing laws · calculate your total.

What to bring

Full checklist, including when the car is not in your name

Valid photo ID
Proof of ownership: valid title, current registration card, or a bill of sale no more than 30 days old
Lease agreement if you lease the car
Original notarized letter from the owner if you are picking up for them
Valid driver's license if you will drive the car out
Current plates and a Chicago city sticker if required

Official page for this lot

Other Chicago lots

O'Hare International Airport Auto Pound · 24/7, 365 days a year
Auto Pound #2 · 24/7, 365 days a year
Auto Pound #3S (abandoned vehicles) · Mon-Sat 7am-5pm, closed holidays
Auto Pound #3N (abandoned vehicles) · Mon-Sat 7am-5pm, closed holidays
Auto Pound #6 · 24/7, 365 days a year
Auto Pound 1S (Chicago Police) · 24/7, 365 days a year
Auto Pound #4 (Chicago Police) · 24/7, 365 days a year

All Chicago towed-car info · How to fight a tow

Sources

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

Relocated and Towed Vehicle Information, City of Chicago Department of Finance. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
Auto Pound Locations, City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
Chicago's Auto Pound Locations (Common Towing Questions), City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
Common Towing Questions, City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
Towing Information and Towing Process, City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
Payment Centers and Chicago EZ Pay Stations, City of Chicago Department of Finance. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
Relocation Towing, Illinois Commerce Commission. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
Relocation Towing Consumer Information Guide, Illinois Commerce Commission. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
Census Bureau Vintage 2024 city and town population estimates (SUB-EST2024), U.S. Census Bureau. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
Chicago's Winter Overnight Parking Ban Begins December 1 (news release, November 28, 2025), City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
Winter Snow Clearing, City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation. Checked Nov 14, 2026.
Relocated and Towed Vehicle Information, City of Chicago Department of Finance. Checked Nov 14, 2026.