HB2132eng 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB2132 Engrossed LRB095 01088 DRH 21090 b

AN ACT concerning transportation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by changing Sections 18a-100, 18a-101, 18a-200, 18a-500, and 18a-501 and by adding Sections 18a-308, 18a-309, 18a-310, 18a-311, 18a-312, 18a-313, 18a-314, and 18a-315 as follows:

(625 ILCS 5/18a-100) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18a-100)

Sec. 18a-100. Definitions. As used in this Chapter: (1) "Commercial vehicle relocator" or "relocator" means any person or entity engaged in the business of removing trespassing vehicles from private property or damaged or disabled vehicles from public or private property by means of towing or otherwise, and thereafter relocating and storing such vehicles;

(2) "Commission" means the Illinois Commerce Commission;

(3) "Operator" means any person who, as an employee of a commercial vehicle relocator, removes trespassing vehicles from private property or damaged or disabled vehicles from public or private property by means of towing or otherwise. This term includes the driver of any vehicle used in removing a trespassing vehicle from private property, as well as any person other than the driver who assists in the removal of a trespassing vehicle from private property;

(4) "Operator's employment permit" means a license issued to an operator in accordance with Sections 18a-403 or 18a-405 of this Chapter;

(5) "Relocator's license" means a license issued to a commercial vehicle relocator in accordance with Sections 18a-400 or 18a-401 of this Chapter;

(6) "Dispatcher" means any person who, as an employee or agent of a commercial vehicle relocator, dispatches vehicles to or from locations from which operators perform removal activities; and

(7) "Dispatcher's employment permit" means a license issued to a dispatcher in accordance with Sections 18a-407 or 18a-408 of this Chapter.

(Source: P.A. 85-923.)

(625 ILCS 5/18a-101) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18a-101)

Sec. 18a-101. Declaration of policy and delegation of jurisdiction. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State of Illinois to supervise and regulate the commercial removal of trespassing vehicles from private property and damaged or disabled vehicles from public or private property, and the subsequent relocation and storage of such vehicles in such manner as to fairly distribute rights and responsibilities among vehicle owners, private property owners and commercial vehicle relocators, and for this purpose the power and authority to administer and to enforce the provisions of this Chapter shall be vested in the Illinois Commerce Commission.

(Source: P.A. 80-1459.)

(625 ILCS 5/18a-200) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18a-200)

Sec. 18a-200. General powers and duties of Commission. The Commission shall:

(1) Regulate commercial vehicle relocators and their employees or agents in accordance with this Chapter and to that end may establish reasonable requirements with respect to proper service and practices relating thereto;

(2) Require the maintenance of uniform systems of accounts, records and the preservation thereof;

(3) Require that all drivers and other personnel used in relocation be employees of a licensed relocator;

(4) Regulate equipment leasing to and by relocators;

(5) Adopt reasonable and proper rules covering the exercise of powers conferred upon it by this Chapter, and reasonable rules governing investigations, hearings and proceedings under this Chapter;

(6) Set reasonable rates for the commercial towing or removal of trespassing vehicles from private property and damaged or disabled vehicles from public or private property. The rates shall not exceed the mean average of the 5 highest rates for police tows within the territory to which this Chapter applies that are performed under Sections 4-201 and 4-214 of this Code and that are of record at hearing; provided that the Commission shall not re-calculate the maximum specified herein if the order containing the previous calculation was entered within one calendar year of the date on which the new order is entered. Set reasonable rates for the storage, for periods in excess of 24 hours, of the vehicles in connection with the towing or removal; however, no relocator shall impose charges for storage for the first 24 hours after towing or removal. Set reasonable rates for other services provided by relocators, provided that the rates shall not be charged to the owner or operator of a relocated vehicle. Any fee charged by a relocator for the use of a credit card that is used to pay for any service rendered by the relocator shall be included in the total amount that shall not exceed the maximum reasonable rate established by the Commission. The Commission shall require a relocator to refund any amount charged in excess of the reasonable rate established by the Commission, including any fee for the use of a credit card;

(7) Investigate and maintain current files of the criminal records, if any, of all relocators and their employees and of all applicants for relocator's license, operator's licenses and dispatcher's licenses. If the Commission determines that an applicant for a license issued under this Chapter will be subjected to a criminal history records check, the applicant shall submit his or her fingerprints to the Department of State Police in the form and manner prescribed by the Department of State Police. These fingerprints shall be checked against the Department of State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history record information databases now and hereafter filed. The Department of State Police shall charge the applicant a fee for conducting the criminal history records check, which shall be deposited in the State Police Services Fund and shall not exceed the actual cost of the records check. The Department of State Police shall furnish pursuant to positive identification, records of conviction to the Commission;

(8) Issue relocator's licenses, dispatcher's employment permits, and operator's employment permits in accordance with Article IV of this Chapter;

(9) Establish fitness standards for applicants seeking relocator licensees and holders of relocator licenses;

(10) Upon verified complaint in writing by any person, organization or body politic, or upon its own initiative may, investigate whether any commercial vehicle relocator, operator, dispatcher, or person otherwise required to comply with any provision of this Chapter or any rule promulgated hereunder, has failed to comply with any provision or rule;

(11) Whenever the Commission receives notice from the Secretary of State that any domestic or foreign corporation regulated under this Chapter has not paid a franchise tax, license fee or penalty required under the Business Corporation Act of 1983, institute proceedings for the revocation of the license or right to engage in any business required under this Chapter or the suspension thereof until such time as the delinquent franchise tax, license fee or penalty is paid; .

(12) Establish form disclosures for use by commercial vehicle relocators and operators, including all material disclosures that must be made to the vehicle owner or operator before a vehicle is towed, as is required by Section 18a-308 of this Code;

(13) Establish form invoices for use by commercial vehicle relocators and operators, including all material disclosures that must be made to the vehicle owner or operator upon the vehicle owner or operator's demand for the return of his or her vehicle, as is required by Section 18a-309 of this Code;

(14) Establish form contracts for use by commercial vehicle relocators and operators that comply with all requirements of this Code.

(Source: P.A. 93-418, eff. 1-1-04.)

(625 ILCS 5/18a-308 new)

Sec. 18a-308. Disclosure to vehicle owner or operator before towing of damaged or disabled vehicle commences.

(a) A commercial vehicle relocator or operator shall not commence the towing of a damaged or disabled vehicle without specific authorization from the vehicle owner or operator after the disclosures set forth in this Section.

(b) Every commercial vehicle relocator or operator shall, before towing a damaged or disabled vehicle, give to each vehicle owner or operator a written disclosure providing:

(1) The formal business name of the commercial vehicle relocator or its operator, as registered with the Illinois Secretary of State, and its business address and telephone number.

(2) The address of the location to which the vehicle shall be relocated by the operator.

(3) The cost of all relocation, storage, and any other fees, without limitation, that the commercial vehicle relocator or operator will charge for its services.

(4) An itemized description of the vehicle owner or operator's rights under this Code, as follows:

"As a customer, you also have the following rights under Illinois law:

(1) This written disclosure must be provided to you before your vehicle is towed, providing the business name, business address, address where the vehicle will be towed, and a reliable telephone number;

(2) Before towing, you must be advised of the price of all services;

(3) Upon your demand, a final invoice itemizing all charges, as well as any damage to the vehicle upon its receipt and return to you, must be provided;

(4) Upon your demand, your vehicle must be returned during business hours, upon your prompt payment of all reasonable fees, not to exceed those set by the Illinois Commerce Commission;

(5) You have the right to pay all charges in cash or by major credit card;

(6) Upon your demand, you must be provided with proof of the existence of mandatory insurance insuring against all risks associated with the transportation and storage of your vehicle;

(7) You cannot be charged a fee in excess of the maximum fees for all services as set by the Consumer Services Division of the Illinois Commerce Commission, which are as follows:"

(c) The commercial vehicle relocator or operator shall provide a copy of the completed disclosure required by this Section to the vehicle owner or operator, before towing the damaged or disabled vehicle, and shall maintain an identical copy of the completed disclosure in its records for a minimum of 5 years after the transaction concludes.

(d) If the vehicle owner or operator is incapacitated, incompetent, or otherwise unable to knowingly accept receipt of the disclosure described in this Section, the commercial vehicle relocator or operator shall provide a completed copy of the disclosure to local law enforcement and, if known, the vehicle owner or operator's automobile insurance company.

(e) If the commercial vehicle relocator or operator fails to comply with the requirements of this Section, the commercial vehicle relocator or operator shall be prohibited from seeking any compensation whatsoever from the vehicle owner or operator, including but not limited to any towing, storage, or other incidental fees. Furthermore, if the commercial vehicle relocator or operator fails to comply with the requirements of this Section, any contracts entered into by the commercial vehicle relocator or operator and the vehicle owner or operator shall be deemed null, void, and unenforceable.

(625 ILCS 5/18a-309 new)

Sec. 18a-309. Disclosures to vehicle owners or operators; invoices.

(a) Upon demand of the vehicle owner or operator, the commercial vehicle relocator or operator shall provide an itemized final invoice that fairly and accurately documents the charges owed by the vehicle owner or operator for relocation of damaged or disabled vehicles. The final estimate or invoice shall accurately record in writing all of the items set forth in this Section.

(b) The final invoice shall show the formal business name of the commercial vehicle relocator or its operator, as registered with the Illinois Secretary of State, its business address and telephone number, the date of the invoice, the odometer reading at the time the final invoice was prepared, the name of the vehicle owner or operator, and the description of the motor vehicle, including the motor vehicle identification number. In addition, the invoice shall describe any modifications made to the vehicle by the commercial vehicle relocator or operator, any observable damage to the vehicle upon its initial receipt by the commercial vehicle relocator or operator, and any observable damage to the vehicle at the time of its release to the vehicle owner or operator. The invoice shall itemize any additional charges and include those charges in the total presented to the vehicle owner or operator.

(c) A legible copy of the invoice shall be given to the vehicle owner or operator, and a legible copy shall be retained by the collision repair facility for a period of 5 years from the date of release of the vehicle. The copy may be retained in electronic format. Records may be stored at a separate location.

(625 ILCS 5/18a-310 new)

Sec. 18a-310. Disclosures to vehicle owners or operators; required signs. Every commercial vehicle relocator's or operator's storage facility that relocates or stores damaged or disabled vehicles shall post, in a prominent place on the business premises, one or more signs, readily visible to customers, in the following form:

YOUR CUSTOMER RIGHTS. YOU ARE ENTITLED BY LAW TO:

1. BEFORE TOWING, A WRITTEN DISCLOSURE STATING THE NAME OF THE TOWING AND STORAGE SERVICE, ITS BUSINESS ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, AND THE ADDRESS WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE TOWED.

2. BEFORE TOWING, THE PRICE OF ALL CHARGES FOR THE TOWING AND STORAGE OF YOUR VEHICLE.

3. UPON YOUR DEMAND FOR THE RETURN OF YOUR VEHICLE, A FINAL INVOICE ITEMIZING ALL CHARGES FOR TOWING, STORAGE, OR ANY OTHER SERVICES PROVIDED, AS WELL AS ANY DAMAGE IDENTIFIED TO THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME IT WAS TAKEN BY THE TOWING AND STORAGE FACILITY, AS WELL AS ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE IDENTIFIED UPON ITS RELEASE TO YOU.

4. THE RETURN OF YOUR VEHICLE, UPON YOUR DEMAND FOR ITS RETURN DURING BUSINESS HOURS AND YOUR PROMPT PAYMENT OF ALL REASONABLE FEES, NOT TO EXCEED THOSE SET BY THE ILLINOIS COMMERCE COMMISSION, AS DETAILED BELOW.

5. PAY ALL CHARGES IN CASH OR BY MAJOR CREDIT CARD.

6. UPON YOUR DEMAND, PROOF OF THE EXISTENCE OF INSURANCE, WHICH THE COMMERCIAL VEHICLE RELOCATOR MUST MAINTAIN TO INSURE AGAINST RISK OF DAMAGE TO YOUR VEHICLE IN TRANSIT AND WHILE IN STORAGE.

IF THE COMMERCIAL VEHICLE RELOCATOR HAS COMPLIED WITH THE ABOVE RIGHTS, YOU ARE REQUIRED, BEFORE TAKING THE VEHICLE FROM THE PREMISES, TO PAY FOR THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE COMMERCIAL VEHICLE RELOCATOR, IN AN AMOUNT NOT IN EXCESS OF THOSE FEES SET BY THE ILLINOIS COMMERCE COMMISSION.

THE ILLINOIS COMMERCE COMMISSION HAS SET THE FOLLOWING MAXIMUM FEES FOR SERVICES:

The first line of each sign shall be in letters not less than 1.5 inches in height, and the remaining lines shall be in letters not less than one-half inch in height.

(625 ILCS 5/18a-311 new)

Sec. 18a-311. Record keeping. Every commercial vehicle relocator and operator engaged in relocation or storage of damaged or disabled vehicles shall maintain copies of (i) all disclosures provided to vehicle owners or operators as required under Section 18a-308 and (ii) all invoices provided to vehicle owners or operators as required under Section 18a-309. The copies may be maintained in an electronic format, shall be kept for 5 years, and shall be available for inspection by the Attorney General.

(625 ILCS 5/18a-312 new)

Sec. 18a-312. Waiver or limitation of liability prohibited.

(a) Commercial vehicle relocators or operators engaged in the relocation or storage of damaged or disabled vehicles shall be prohibited from including a clause in contracts for the relocation or storage of vehicles purporting to waive or limit the commercial vehicle relocator's or operator's liability under this Code, in tort or contract, or under any other cognizable cause of action available to the vehicle owner or operator.

(b) Commercial vehicle relocators or operators are prohibited from requiring the vehicle owner or operator to sign or agree to any document purporting to waive or limit the commercial vehicle relocator's and operator's liability under this Code, in tort or contract, or under any other cognizable cause of action available to the vehicle owner or operator.

(c) Any contract, release, or other document purporting to waive or limit the commercial vehicle relocator's or operator's liability under this Code, in tort or contract, or under any other cognizable cause of action available to the vehicle owner or operator, shall be deemed null, void, and unenforceable.

(625 ILCS 5/18a-313 new)

Sec. 18a-313. Unlawful practice. Any commercial vehicle relocator or operator engaged in the relocation or storage of damaged or disabled vehicles who fails to comply with Sections 18a-308, 18a-309, 18a-310, 18a-312, or 18a-500 of this Code commits an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.

(625 ILCS 5/18a-314 new)

Sec. 18a-314. Charges payable in cash or by major credit card. Any towing or storage charges accrued by the vehicle owner or operator shall be payable by the use of any major credit card, in addition to being payable in cash.

(625 ILCS 5/18a-315 new)

Sec. 18a-315. Mandatory insurance coverage.

(a) A commercial vehicle relocator or operator shall provide insurance coverage for all risks associated with the transportation of vehicles towed under this Chapter, as well as for areas where vehicles towed under this Chapter are impounded or otherwise stored, and shall adequately cover loss by fire, theft, or other risks.

(b) Upon the demand of the vehicle owner or operator, a commercial vehicle relocator or operator shall promptly supply proof of the existence of this insurance.

(c) Any person who fails to comply with the conditions and restrictions of this subsection shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor and shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $500.

(625 ILCS 5/18a-500) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18a-500)

Sec. 18a-500. Posting of rates. Every commercial vehicle relocator shall print and keep open to the public, all authorized rates and charges for towing, otherwise moving, and storing vehicles in connection with removal of unauthorized vehicles from private property or damaged or disabled vehicles from public or private property. Such rates and charges shall be clearly stated in terms of lawful money of the United States, and shall be posted in such form and manner, and shall contain such information as the Commission shall by regulation prescribe.

(Source: P.A. 80-1459.)

(625 ILCS 5/18a-501) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 18a-501)

Sec. 18a-501. Liens against relocated vehicles.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b), any vehicle Unauthorized vehicles removed and stored by a commercial vehicle relocator in compliance with this Chapter shall be subject to a possessory lien for services pursuant to the Labor and Storage Lien (Small Amount) Act, and the provisions of Section 1 of that Act relating to notice and implied consent shall be deemed satisfied by compliance with Section 18a-302 and item (10) of Section 18a-300. In no event shall such lien be greater than the rate or rates established in accordance with item (6) of Section 18a-200. In no event shall such lien be increased or altered to reflect any charge for services or materials rendered in addition to those authorized by this Act. Every such lien shall be payable by use of any major credit card, in addition to being payable in cash. Upon receipt of a properly signed credit card receipt, a relocator shall become a holder in due course, and neither the holder of the credit card nor the company which issued the credit card may thereafter refuse to remit payment in the amount shown on the credit card receipt minus the ordinary charge assessed by the credit card company for processing the charge. The Commission may adopt regulations governing acceptance of credit cards by a relocator.

(b) A commercial vehicle relocator or operator that fails to comply with Sections 18a-300, 18a-301, 18a-302, 18a-304, 18a-308, 18a-309, 18a-310, 18a-311, 18a-312, or 18a-500 of this Code is barred from asserting a possessory or chattel lien for the amount of any fees claimed for any towing, storage, or other services provided.

(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

Section 10. The Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act is amended by changing Section 2Z as follows:

(815 ILCS 505/2Z) (from Ch. 121 1/2, par. 262Z)

Sec. 2Z. Violations of other Acts. Any person who knowingly violates the Automotive Repair Act, the Automotive Collision Repair Act, the Home Repair and Remodeling Act, the Dance Studio Act, the Physical Fitness Services Act, the Hearing Instrument Consumer Protection Act, the Illinois Union Label Act, the Job Referral and Job Listing Services Consumer Protection Act, the Travel Promotion Consumer Protection Act, the Credit Services Organizations Act, the Automatic Telephone Dialers Act, the Pay-Per-Call Services Consumer Protection Act, the Telephone Solicitations Act, the Illinois Funeral or Burial Funds Act, the Cemetery Care Act, the Safe and Hygienic Bed Act, the Pre-Need Cemetery Sales Act, the High Risk Home Loan Act, the Payday Loan Reform Act, the Mortgage Rescue Fraud Act, subsection (a) or (b) of Section 3-10 of the Cigarette Tax Act, the Payday Loan Reform Act, subsection (a) or (b) of Section 3-10 of the Cigarette Use Tax Act, the Electronic Mail Act, paragraph (6) of subsection (k) of Section 6-305 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, Section 18a-308, 18a-309, 18a-310, 18a-312, or 18a-500 of the Illinois Vehicle Code as provided in Section 18a-313 of that Code, Article 3 of the Residential Real Property Disclosure Act, the Automatic Contract Renewal Act, or the Personal Information Protection Act commits an unlawful practice within the meaning of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 93-561, eff. 1-1-04; 93-950, eff. 1-1-05; 94-13, eff. 12-6-05; 94-36, eff. 1-1-06; 94-280, eff. 1-1-06; 94-292, eff. 1-1-06; 94-822, eff. 1-1-07.)