Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Prohibits medical devices, including hearing instruments, from being subjected to the liens that are ordinarily imposed on personal property in a vehicle that is subject to removal under the Code. Provides that a person who has indicated in a timely filed report to the appropriate law enforcement agency that a vehicle has been stolen or hijacked is not liable for a violation, fee, fine, lien, or penalty that is imposed under the Code's vehicle removal provisions while the vehicle is stolen or hijacked or that results from the vehicle being stolen or hijacked.
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1: Provides that medicine or personal health care devices or equipment, including hearing instruments (rather than medicine or medical devices, including hearing instruments) shall not be subject to a lien if left in a car that is later towed. Changes provisions concerning expenses incurred to a person if the person's car is stolen or hijacked and later towed. Provides that when a vehicle is authorized to be towed away, the name of the registered owner of the vehicle and the contact information of the registered owner of the vehicle shall be in writing, or confirmed in writing, with a copy given to the towing service.
Senate Floor Amendment No. 2: Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that personal medicine and health care devices, including hearing instruments; social security cards; passbooks; and higher education textbooks and study materials shall not be subject to a lien. Provides that a person who has indicated in a timely filed report to the appropriate law enforcement agency that a vehicle has been stolen or hijacked: (1) is not liable for any governmentally imposed fees, fines, or penalties; and (2) if the vehicle towed is registered in Illinois and the name and address of the registered owner of the vehicle is provided or made available to the towing service at the time of the tow, then the towing service must provide written notice of the tow to the registered owner within 2 business days after the vehicle is towed by certified mail, return receipt requested. Provides that no storage charges shall accrue if the vehicle is reclaimed by paying recovery and towing charges at the posted rates of the towing service within 7 days after such notice is mailed. If the vehicle that was towed is registered in a state other than Illinois, provides that no storage charges shall accrue if the vehicle is reclaimed by paying recovery and towing charges at the posted rates of the towing service within 7 days after a request for registered owner information is mailed by the towing service, certified mail, return receipt requested, to the applicable administrative agency or office in that state. Provides that the towing service shall enjoy a lien to secure payment of charges accrued in compliance with the provisions. Provides that when a vehicle is authorized to be towed away, a copy of the authorization shall be provided to the towing company within one hour of the authorization. Requires that the authorization for a tow include the name of the registered owner of the vehicle and the mailing address of the registered owner of the vehicle on file with the Secretary of State, any hold order, and any release, except to the extent such information is made available under written agreement with the Secretary of State.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 625 ILCS 5/4
Engrossed: 625 ILCS 5/4
Enrolled: 625 ILCS 5/4