§ 70-570. Post-tow notice for hazardous and unlawful vehicles.

(a)

Not more than seven days after towing any hazardous or unlawful vehicle pursuant to this article, the city shall forward written notice of the towing by personal service, or certified or registered mail return receipt requested and regular mail, to the address of the registered owner of the vehicle, lienholder or other person legally entitled to possession of the vehicle, as indicated in the most current registration list of the secretary of state of the state in which such vehicle is registered. If the registered owner, lienholder or other person legally entitled to the possession of the vehicle cannot be identified from the registration files of the Illinois Secretary of State or from the registration files of a foreign state, the police department shall notify the state police, for the purpose of identifying the vehicle owner or other person legally entitled to possession of the vehicle. Additionally, prior to sending notice, the police department shall cause the stolen motor vehicle files of the state police to be searched by a directed communication to the state police for stolen or wanted information of the vehicle in accordance with article II, chapter 4 of the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/4-205). The notice to the registered owner, lienholder, or other person legally entitled to possession of the vehicle shall provide:

(1)

A description of the make, model, year and color of the vehicle;

(2)

The vehicle's identification number, and the number and state of the license plate displayed on the vehicle. If there is no license plate displayed, the notice shall indicate the lack of a license plate;

(3)

The location from and date on which the vehicle was towed, and a description of the circumstances indicating the hazardousness or unlawfulness of the vehicle;

(4)

A statement that the city has towed and stored the vehicle at the expense of the owner or other person legally entitled to possession of the vehicle, including a statement of the location of where the vehicle is being held, and a statement that if the vehicle is not claimed by a certain date, the vehicle will be disposed of; and

(5)

A copy of this article, or a description of the owner's rights to contest the legality of the towing and a telephone number of the city through which the owner may obtain more information.

(b)

All approved towing service operators shall prominently post at locations readily visible to the public transacting business at the towing facility: two large signs with dimensions of at least 12 inches by 18 inches, describing the owner's rights to contest the legality of the towing and providing a telephone number of the city through which the owner may obtain more information.

(Code 1996, § 70-570; Ord. No. F-0320, § 1, 3-1-1999; Ord. No. F-0477, § 8, 6-19-2000)