Berwyn, IL Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)

Section 424.15 of the Berwyn Code of Ordinances puts the choice of tow operator in the hands of the Superintendent of Police, who appoints or retains an individual, agency or company to tow and impound vehicles under Chapter 424, the city's administrative adjudication system for standing and parking violations. Three conditions attach to the appointment. The operator must be fully insured, must be licensed according to local or state law, and must have a secured impound area available. The code defines a secured area as one bounded by a fence, chain-link or otherwise, of sufficient height and with locking gates so as to minimize or prevent unauthorized entry into the impounded vehicles.

The tow itself is triggered by unpaid ordinance debt. Under § 424.09, a vehicle whose registered owner or lessee has been found liable for standing or parking violations with unpaid fines of $250 or more can be immobilized, booted or towed and impounded after a seizure notice goes out. That notice recites a final determination on five or more violations and gives 15 days to pay or contest. Under § 424.12, if an immobilizing restraint is not released within 72 hours of placement, the vehicle is towed and impounded. Within ten days after impoundment the city sends notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, and a vehicle not claimed within 30 days of that notice can be sold or disposed of under the State Vehicle Code (§ 424.13).

Other chapters use commercial towers too. Section 480.02 lets the Police Department remove and tow, or have towed by a commercial towing service, any vehicle parked in violation of the parking chapter, and those vehicles are then handled like abandoned vehicles under Chapter 468. Section 468.04 lets the Superintendent order a towing service to remove a vehicle abandoned on a highway for ten hours or more, and the owner pays all towing costs. Section 468.12 shields police officers and towing service owners, operators and employees from damages claims by owners of vehicles processed and sold under Chapter 468.