CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - A city council committee has approved a measure that would allow businesses citywide to determine if they want to hire private companies to be able to boot the vehicles of cars that illegally park in the businesses’ parking lots.
Right now, individual aldermen have the right to have their wards opt-in or opt-out of having private companies perform booting of cars in commercial parking lots. Ald. Ariel Reboyras thinks businesses should decide for themselves, not aldermen.
“This ordinance simply makes sure that any vehicle that’s parked on the premises is there to shop at their stores, not go across the street, not wander off,” Reboyras said.
Former Ald. Joe Moore is a lobbyist for a company that does private booting of vehicles.
“The offender pays a $170 fine at the location and is free to get in the car and drive away. In contrast, towing companies charge a base rate of $216 plus a storage fee of $45 a day,” Moor said.
But, Northwest Side Ald. Anthony Napolitano thinks the current system should remain because he does not want to see private booting of cars in his ward.
“When you come out and find out your car is booted, whether you’re in the right or in the wrong of that booting, that situation becomes extremely volatile, especially when an independent company is the one doing it to your vehicle,” Napolitano said.
The measure now goes before the full city council.
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Related
