Crime & Traffic

If you leave your car at the impound When the court or police take possession of personal property lot, you will be charged a daily storage fee for each day the vehicle remains impounded. The storage fees are as follows:

• Standard vehicles (under 8,000 pounds): $25 per day, with a maximum charge of $1,000.
• Large vehicles (8,000 pounds or more): $50 per day, with a maximum charge of $1,000.

In addition, a towing fee applies:

• $150 for standard vehicles.
• $250 for vehicles weighing 8,000 pounds or more.

If the car is left at the impound lot and you challenge the ticket and win the hearing When the parties in a case present their sides of a case to a judge or other officer , the car will be returned to you without any charges. However, if the hearing is lost, high storage fees may be charged to get the car back. Paying to get the car out early lowers the storage fees charged. 

You can call the City of Chicago Auto Pound Section at (312) 744-4444. If your vehicle was towed due to outstanding parking ticket debt, call Customer Service at (312) 744-7275. Use this search tool locate a vehicle.

For more information, review these common towing questions from the City of Chicago. 

Note about stolen vehicles: Starting January 1, 2025, if your car is towed after being reported stolen, you won’t have to pay any government fees or fines. If your car is registered in Illinois and the towing company has your name and address, they must send you a notice within 2 business days by certified mail A document delivery service such as the US Postal Service that sends a party a receipt as proof that the documents were mailed and delivered . If you pick up your car and pay the towing fees within 7 days of getting the notice, you won’t have to pay any storage fees. You can also get medical devices and other important items from the car without payment.