Cars & light trucks
Towing in Illinois: the published maximums and your rights
A state regulator licenses the operators and sets the rates in a defined territory.
Rules checked October 2026
625 ILCS 5/Ch. 18a (Commercial Relocation of Trespassing Vehicles Law) — the ICC licenses relocators and sets rates in the Chicago/collar-county territory; first-24-hours storage is $0 by statute
| Charge | Published maximum |
|---|---|
| Storage, first 24 hours | $0 by statute |
The drop rule
If you arrive before the removal is complete and can move the vehicle, the tow may not proceed. (Commercial vehicles: disconnect at no more than half the posted rate.)
Signage & authorization
Signage duties are set at 625 ILCS 5/18a-302; the complaint office must be posted where you pick up the vehicle.
Notification
Law enforcement must be notified within 1 hour of the removal.
Penalties & remedies
Kickbacks to property owners are banned — paying for the privilege of towing is a criminal offense, and the ICC has revoked relocators' licenses over unauthorized seizures.
Kickbacks
Paying a property owner or agent for the privilege of towing is banned in this state (U.S. PIRG state survey, 2022). A kickback arrangement behind your tow is a claim of its own.
The protection scorecard
U.S. PIRG rated this state's towing protections across the 15 issues it surveys (2021 report, 2022 update): 9 of 15 rated good, 3 moderate.
Who takes the complaint
Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC).