Commercial tow operators in Illinois must register under the Commercial Safety Towing Law, 625 ILCS 5/18d-110, and follow rate posting and consumer rights rules. Cook County Sheriff maintains rotation contracts for police-ordered tows on county roads; suburban departments run their own rotations.
Illinois regulates commercial tow operators primarily under the Commercial Safety Towing Law, 625 ILCS 5/18d-110, and the Illinois Commerce Commission rules at 92 IAC Part 1710 covering relocation tows and consumer protections. Operators must register, post maximum rates, accept credit cards, return personal property promptly, and provide itemized receipts. The Cook County Sheriff maintains rotation contracts for police-ordered tows from crashes and arrests on county roads and unincorporated areas; tow companies must meet equipment, insurance, and background standards to qualify. Suburban municipalities maintain their own rotation lists and many require local towing licenses under Ch. 54-equivalent ordinances. Chicago licenses tow operators under MCC 9-64 and 4-13 with additional consumer-relocation tow controls.
Operating an unregistered tow company, charging above posted rates, blocking owner retrieval of personal property, or running unauthorized non-consensual relocation tows violates 625 ILCS 5/18d-110 and ICC rules, triggering Sheriff and ICC fines plus rotation removal.
See how Arlington Heights's towing companies rules stack up against other locations.
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