IllinoisSB2040104th General Assembly (2025–2026)SenateWALLET

VEHICLE CD-SAFETY TOWING

Sponsored By: Celina Villanueva (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that any personal property belonging to the vehicle owner in a vehicle subject to a lien shall be subject to that lien, except for the specified items, which may be claimed by immediate family members at the authorization of the vehicle owner. Establishes registration requirements for commercial vehicle safety relocators and tasks the Illinois Commerce Commission with oversight duties and the imposition of penalties. Provides that commercial vehicle safety relocators must follow specified business address requirements. Sets forth provisions concerning liens against personal property in a towed vehicle, making false statements and the power of the Commission to deny an application or revoke registration from a commercial vehicle safety relocator, and the relocation and redemption of vehicles. Makes changes regarding liability for violations of specified provisions of the Code. Requires a commercial vehicle safety relocator to designate a registered agent within the State. Adds provisions concerning vehicle impoundment, failure to satisfy fines or penalties assessed by the Commission, and suspension of tow truck registrations. Makes other changes.

assignmentstransportationtransportation: vehicles & safety

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 5 costs, 4 mixed.

Tow businesses face investigations and fines

The Illinois Commerce Commission can investigate safety relocators and demand documents about their business practices. Violations can bring registration suspension or revocation and fines or civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation. Each day of a continuing violation of the investigation-compliance rule counts as a separate violation. Officers, managers, partners, employees, and agents who knowingly permit violations can also face penalties.

Tow businesses face stricter registration checks

Safety relocators need Illinois Commerce Commission registration to remove, relocate, or store damaged or disabled vehicles in counties covered by this law. Applications must disclose specified unpaid Commission fines and penalties involving the business, officers, employees, agents, or businesses sharing a beneficial owner. Related towing-law judgments must also be disclosed; beneficial owners include people with substantial control or at least 25% ownership. These debts can cause denial, and existing registrations must be revoked unless clear and convincing evidence shows good cause for nonpayment. Material falsehoods, omissions, hidden business control, or applications concealing another interested party can cause denial, suspension, or revocation; denial or revocation can block registration for up to 3 years.

Unpaid fines threaten tow-truck registrations

The Illinois Commerce Commission can refer unpaid fees, fines, or penalties for tow-truck registration suspension. First, it must send a final payment demand stating the due date and warning of referral. Beginning July 1, 2026, a certified report of unpaid Commission fines or penalties triggers notice that all the owner’s tow-truck registrations will be suspended within 30 calendar days. Commission confirmation of payment or a reporting error prevents or ends the suspension. The owner may request an administrative hearing.

Crash-tow belongings get conditional lien protections

After a crash tow, listed personal effects and other personal property are exempt from the towing lien, but cargo is not. A spouse, parent, child, or sibling needs the property owner’s written permission to reclaim listed personal effects. Reclaiming other personal property also requires written permission and proof of insurance sufficient to cover applicable recovery, towing, and storage charges. Only the state may regulate these crash-tow personal-property liens and exemptions; local home rule governments cannot set separate rules.

Tow customers get written price disclosures

Before a covered tow, safety relocators must give owners or drivers written addresses, contact details, all charges, and rights, and get specific approval. They must provide a copy and keep it for at least 5 years; noncompliance bars payment and voids the contract. Law-enforcement-authorized tows are exempt; when customers cannot knowingly receive disclosures, notices go to local police and known auto insurers. Vehicles must go to registered lots unless customers request another destination in writing or law enforcement authorizes the tow. Release requires paying applicable recovery, towing, and storage charges, properly disclosed unless the tow is exempt.

Towing liens reach some personal belongings

A commercial relocator’s lien can cover the vehicle owner’s belongings inside the vehicle, not just the vehicle itself. Child seats, eyeglasses, food, medicine, medical devices, perishable items, licenses, identification, cash, checks, and higher-education materials are exempt. Someone else’s property is excluded when that person provides adequate proof of ownership. Relocators’ liens for towing, storage, and related services are limited to legally allowed rates and must accept cash and major credit cards.

Tow trucks face seizure and release costs

Commission police can impound a tow truck with probable cause of an unregistered safety-relocator tow or past-due Commission debts owed by its owner. Release requires Commission approval, proof of ownership or possession rights, identification, and towing and storage payments. Owners or lienholders can pay a $1,000 administrative fine plus other amounts owed, admitting liability and waiving a hearing. Alternatively, they can post a bond covering the administrative and concurrent fines, pay other required fees, and seek a hearing, or wait for a hearing before release. Hearing requests generally must be mailed within 15 calendar days after notice is mailed; hearings must occur within 10 business days after receipt. Missing deadlines or failing to appear can lead to default, and trucks left unclaimed for 10 working days after the applicable review period or final judgment may be disposed of.

Unpaid state debts threaten vehicle registration

The Secretary of State can suspend or revoke vehicle registration or related credentials over specified unpaid state amounts. This covers qualifying fines, penalties, or required fees owed to the Secretary of State or Illinois Commerce Commission. It also covers qualifying amounts owed to the Department of Revenue under the Motor Fuel Tax Law. The amounts must remain unpaid after reasonable notice and demand.

Tow businesses must document operating sites

Safety relocators must list their main business address and every secure vehicle storage and pickup site in their applications. Each site must meet legal requirements and be owned or held under a written lease allowing its use. Businesses must report site changes or additions to the Illinois Commerce Commission in writing. They must also maintain a registered agent at a staffed Illinois street address open during regular business hours. A post office box does not qualify.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Celina Villanueva

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Debbie Meyers-Martin

    Democratic • House

  • Harry Benton

    Democratic • House

  • Lakesia Collins

    Democratic • Senate

  • Margaret Croke

    Democratic • House

  • Matt Hanson

    Democratic • House

  • Michael J. Kelly

    Democratic • House

  • William "Will" Davis

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 214 • No: 0

House vote • 5/22/2025

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed

Yes: 115 • No: 0

House vote • 4/23/2025

Do Pass / Short Debate Transportation: Vehicles & Safety;

Yes: 12 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/3/2025

Third Reading - Passed;

Yes: 55 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/19/2025

Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommend Do Adopt Transportation;

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/5/2025

Do Pass Transportation;

Yes: 17 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0133

    8/1/2025Senate
  2. Effective Date January 1, 2026

    8/1/2025Senate
  3. Governor Approved

    8/1/2025Senate
  4. Sent to the Governor

    6/20/2025Senate
  5. Passed Both Houses

    5/22/2025Senate
  6. Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 115-000-000

    5/22/2025House
  7. Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Debbie Meyers-Martin

    5/14/2025House
  8. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate

    5/14/2025House
  9. Second Reading - Short Debate

    5/14/2025House
  10. Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Harry Benton

    4/24/2025House
  11. Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Matt Hanson

    4/24/2025House
  12. Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael J. Kelly

    4/24/2025House
  13. Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Margaret Croke

    4/24/2025House
  14. Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate

    4/23/2025House
  15. Do Pass / Short Debate Transportation: Vehicles & Safety; 012-000-000

    4/23/2025House
  16. Assigned to Transportation: Vehicles & Safety

    4/17/2025House
  17. Referred to Rules Committee

    4/7/2025House
  18. First Reading

    4/7/2025House
  19. Chief House Sponsor Rep. William "Will" Davis

    4/4/2025House
  20. Arrived in House

    4/4/2025House
  21. Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Lakesia Collins

    4/3/2025Senate
  22. Third Reading - Passed; 055-000-000

    4/3/2025Senate
  23. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading March 20, 2025

    3/19/2025Senate
  24. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted; Villanueva

    3/19/2025Senate
  25. Second Reading

    3/19/2025Senate

Bill Text

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