Sitting in an empty parking spot where your car was, wondering where it went? Got rear-ended and not sure what to do next?
Here’s a sample set of our Frequently Asked Questions. Fire your own questions our way if they aren’t yet in this list.
Cars may be towed for one of several reasons including:
- parking in violation of posted signs; to clear a vehicle that has been involved in an accident and is blocking traffic removal of an abandoned vehicle
To learn more about reasons for towing and impounding vehicles please review 9-92-030 of the Chicago Municipal Code
For a period of 20 days from impound, personal belongings shall be kept intact, and shall be returned to the vehicle’s owner or agent during normal business hours upon request and presentation of a driver’s license or other sufficient identification.
If your car was towed at the request of an agency, you must first be sure that you don’t need the agency’s permission to pick up the car.
Sometimes it is necessary to clear a street of legally parked cars; for example, street repair, temporary no parking for an event like a parade or a run, film/video work, etc. If the cars were parked before the barriers or “no parking” signs were posted, the cars are moved to another legal parking spot at no charge to the owner.
Call 311 or go to or search the City’s website