Lawbreakers face towing fee in Lake Zurich

Police in Lake Zurich can now charge a fee to the owners of vehicles that are towed in connection with some crimes and serious traffic offenses.

Village officials voted Monday to approve the ordinance that would charge the $250 fee. It would serve as a bond for the release of the vehicle, allowing costs associated with the arrest, such as processing expenses and officers' time, to come back to the village.

"We can already tow vehicles that are inoperable, hazardous, unlawful or abandoned," said Police Chief Patrick Finlon, adding in those cases, bond hearings were already in place.

Vehicle owners can ask for a bond hearing if they believe their vehicle was towed illegally or just pay the fee and have it released. Vehicle owners would still pay costs associated with towing fees and the $30 per day storage fee after towing, Finlon said

Offenses for which vehicle towing is allowed include: prostitution, drag racing, drug possession, fleeing an officer or leaving the scenes of an accident, driving without a license, with a revoked or suspended license or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

"It's a trend that's starting to occur within some neighboring municipalities. We used them as model," Finlon said.

The village worked with other municipal governments to design the ordinance. Buffalo Grove, Kildeer and Waukegan are among the villages with similar ordinances. Officials noted that neighboring villages' fees were $500.

The new ordinance will take effect May 27.