Toll authority still can't tow scofflaws

Two years ago, tollway officials said they were laying down the hammer: Your car would be towed or booted if you didn't pay your tolls.

The hammer hasn't yet dropped.

"We just haven't gotten to that point yet. We have always thought of these as tools of last resort," said tollway spokeswoman Joelle McGinnis. "The tollway doesn't have tow trucks or boots or anything like that available."

After about three years of lobbying, lawmakers agreed in 2004 on a tollway reform measure that also gave the agency power to tow or boot a toll cheat's car if the related fines weren't paid on time.

Tollway officials planned to use this new power by contracting with tow companies to hunt down the cars of excessive toll cheats. However, they never took that step. They now say it was more complicated than originally envisioned.

McGinnis said toll violators are still not getting away with their crime. If fines are not paid, violators still have their license plates suspended within three months of not paying five tolls. After another two months, their driver's license is suspended.

"At this point in time, if those folks are driving around on a suspended license or plates, they can be picked up at any time by an officer for doing so," McGinnis said.

Given the findings of a Daily Herald investigation, suburban lawmakers said it is best the toll authority hold off on towing cars until the violation enforcement system is foolproof.

"The main priority should be that the new electronic toll collection system is up and running smoothly," said state Sen. Jeff Schoenberg, an Evanston Democrat and sponsor of the legislation that gave the tollway towing authority.

State Rep. Elaine Nekritz, a Northbrook Democrat, agreed.

"Maybe before they start towing cars, they should make sure they know they are towing the right cars," she said.