TARGETING THE HIDDEN PARKING TAX

November 23, 2004

Chicago Tribune

City to ease towing program

Focus is on claim period, payment

Gary Washburn;

Stung by criticism that Chicago's towing program is too punitive, the Daley administration announced plans Monday to broaden installment payment programs for motorists with unpaid parking tickets and to extend the redemption period before unclaimed vehicles are sold.

Meanwhile, the city will reopen a contract with the company that performs towing services in a possible attempt to get more money for unclaimed vehicles that are sold, officials said.

But revenues gained by disposing of unclaimed cars and trucks still will not be used to defray outstanding debt of the owner. And the number of unpaid parking tickets that trigger eligibility for the Denver boot will not be increased from three, the current total.

"I am not saying this is a perfect plan, but we are negotiating to get something that works for everyone," said Ald. HelenShiller (46th), one of several City Council members who have been working with administration officials on towing program changes.

Additional steps may be taken to further ease the burden on motorists, she said.

Ald. Latasha Thomas (17th) described Monday's changes as "an excellent start."

Most people whose vehicles are boot eligible now can be taken off the towing list if they pay $500 or 25 percent of their parking debt, whichever is higher, and agree to pay off the rest in monthly installments.

Under a change proposed on an experimental basis, those whose cars already have been booted and towed could get them back immediately by paying all fees owed and coming up with the greater of $750 or 50 percent of their parking debt, retiring the remainder in installments.

A "hardship" program for low-income people would be expanded to include anyone receiving unemployment compensation. Participants still would have to pay $250 or 25 percent of the parking debt, whichever is less.

Hardship participants already can get their cars out of the pound but must pay, in advance, the $60 booting fee, $150 towing fee and $10 a day for storage ($35 beginning with the sixth day).

Officials acknowledged that large sums still may be required upfront but said they were trying to strike a balance between being fair with motorists and collecting revenue that is due the city.

"As we've said before, we are always willing to work together with residents to find solutions regarding issues they may have," Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Al Sanchez said. "However, program changes or enhancements must reflect what is best and reasonable for our city as a whole."

Some people keep the number of their unpaid parking tickets at any given time to two so they don't get on the boot and towing list, said Bea Reyna-Hickey, the city's revenue director. Moving the boot trigger to a previous threshold of five tickets would cost the city between $16 million and $24 million, she said.

Meanwhile, the city has extended to 21 from 15 days the length of time that owners of booted vehicles who do not enroll in the payment programs can redeem their cars and trucks before they are sold. A 15-day extension on all other tows will be granted upon request.

Because of capacity constraints at the city's pounds, the changes could mean that abandoned cars will stay on the streets longer, Sanchez warned.

Officials of United Road Services Inc., the firm that tows most vehicles that are booted, stolen or abandoned, have agreed to open up the company's contract for possible alterations.

Shiller said the city may seek more money from vehicles that are sold by United Road Services, but must weigh the possibility of paying the company higher tow fees for all vehicles.

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