In the event that your vehicle has been impounded or towed by a police department, the following is a general guideline of the necessary paperwork you will need in order to claim your vehicle.

1. Come to our office during the following hours: 

• Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
• Saturday By Appointment Only from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm
• Closed on Sunday and Holidays
• You may pick up property or your vehicle after office hours, but an after hours fee will be charged on holidays and after normal business hours.

Please Bring the following paperwork with you:

2. Proof of vehicle ownership (one of the following must be presented):
    a. Current valid registration
    b. Title in your name
    c. Signed-over title with a notarized Bill of Sale for each transfer (within 30 days of transfer date)
    d. A valid current vehicle moving permit from the department of motor vehicles
    e. A current DMV printout showing you as the vehicle owner 
    f. A current dealer's report of sale (within 20 days of purchase date)
    g. Rental vehicles require a valid rental contract in your name
    h. (Insurance documents are NOT accepted as proof of vehicle ownership)

3. Bring the following Photo Identification and Police Department release with you:
    a. Photo Identification (valid US Drivers license, state ID, military ID, or passport)
    b. A police department release

4. Payment must be provided in full before a vehicle will be released.  Please note that payments for all impounds must be provided in Cash Only.  No Personal Checks and no Credit Cards will be accepted.

If you have a question on any of the above procedures, please call our office at 708-430-1177.

NOTE: We will only release property from a vehicle to the legal registered owner. There are no exceptions to this rule. You must be able to show valid identification and proof of current registration in your name to claim any property.

(625 ILCS 5/4-203) No contents of a vehicle may be released until the tow bill is paid, with the exception of: Food, medicine, perishable property, operator's licenses, cash, credit cards, checks or checkbooks, wallet, purse, or other property containing any operator's license or other identifying documents or materials.

All other property will remain under the same hold as the vehicle until full payment is made.

NOTE: A vehicle stored in our impound lot will only be released to the legal and/or registered owner. The exception to this rule would be when the legal and/or registered owner’s actual presence is unlikely due to a limited list of reasons that may, or may not, be limited to:

1. hospitalization due to injury or illness
2. located in another city, state, or county of considerable traveling distance from the location of our main office
3. imprisoned in a local jail, state or federal detention center

In the event that one of the above three scenarios exist, a “Vehicle Release Consent Form" will be required to be completed and notarized by a legally commissioned notary public. Said form may be obtained by clicking on the link above and faxing to our office at (708) 430-1191.

In a case where the legal and/or registered owner has been judges to be mentally incompetent by a signed court order, a copy of said court order accompanied by a valid and/or legal power of attorney instrument will be required for presentation at the time of the vehicle’s release.

In a case where the legal and/or registered owner is deceased, then a valid/legal death certificate will be required for presentation at the time of vehicle’s release, in addition to documents providing proof that the person the vehicle is being released to is the “executor” of the estate of the legal and/or registered owner of the vehicle being released, or any legal and binding document(s) that can establish that the person claiming such a vehicle has a legal right to take possession of same.
If you are the responsible party of the vehicle, it is in your best interest to redeem the vehicle as soon as possible or make other arrangements. This will eliminate any further liability to you. If you fail to redeem your vehicle, it will be considered abandoned according to the Illinois Vehicle Code.

It is our policy to pursue all means necessary to resolve your legal obligation. We have the right to take you, and all parties listed by the secretary of state to have an interest in the vehicle, to small claims court. We also have the right to refer this matter to a collection agency for the balance owed. We will report any unpaid debt to credit reporting agencies.

(625 ILCS 5/4 214) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 4 214)
Sec. 4 214. Violations of Section 4 201.

(a) Any person who violates Section 4 201 of this Code or who aids and abets in that violation:
(1) shall be subject to a mandatory fine of $200; and
(2) shall be required by the court to make a disposition on the abandoned or unclaimed vehicle and pay all towing, storage, and processing charges and collection costs pursuant to Section 4 203, subsections (a) and (e).

(b) When a vehicle is abandoned, it shall be presumed that the last registered owner is responsible for the abandonment and shall be liable for all towing, storage, and processing charges and collection costs, less any amounts realized in the disposal of the vehicle. The last registered owner's liability for storage fees may not exceed a maximum of 30 days' storage fees.
The presumption established under this subsection may be rebutted by a showing that, prior to the time of the tow:
(1) a report of vehicle theft was filed with respect to the vehicle; or
(2) the vehicle was sold or transferred and the last registered owner provides the towing service or collections agency with the correct identity and address of the new owner at the time of the sale or transfer.

If the presumption established under this subsection is rebutted, the person responsible for theft of the vehicle or to whom the vehicle was sold or transferred is liable for all towing, storage, and processing charges and collection costs.

(Source: P.A. 89 433, eff. 12 15 95.)