Winnebago County, IL Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)
Key Facts
- Admin fee
- $150.00 per vehicle
- Who orders the tow
- County sheriff
- Fee stacks with
- Towing, storage, redemption, fines
- Licensing
- No county towing-company license
Summary
Winnebago County charges a $150 administrative fee, on top of towing and storage costs, to release a vehicle the sheriff has ordered towed or impounded.
In order to obtain release of a motor vehicle that has been ordered to be towed and/or impounded by the county sheriff, the person owning such motor vehicle shall be required to pay, in addition to all towing, storage and redemption fees set by contract and all fines assessed against the motor vehicle, the further sum of $150.00 per vehicle as an administrative processing fee to the county.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 64).
Full Breakdown
When the county sheriff orders a vehicle towed or impounded, the owner must pay all towing, storage and redemption fees set under the county's towing contract before the vehicle is released. Winnebago County adds its own $150 per-vehicle administrative processing fee on top of those contract charges and any fines assessed against the vehicle. The county does not separately license towing companies; sheriff-ordered non-consent tows run through towing contracts the sheriff's office holds with wrecker operators, and Sec. 50-13 separately allows the sheriff's police to remove and, after a hearing, dispose of vehicles left as nuisances on public or private property.
Violations & Fines
Vehicle owner owes towing, storage and redemption fees under the sheriff's towing contract, all assessed fines, plus a $150 county administrative processing fee before release.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Winnebago County license towing companies?
How much does it cost to get a sheriff-towed vehicle back?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Winnebago County
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