Car towed in Chicago?
Here’s how to get it back.
Call directly
Chicago Auto Pound Info
24/7 inquiries. Also dial 311 in Chicago or call 312-744-PARK (7275).
Central Auto Pound
500 E. Wacker Drive (Lower Level), Chicago, IL
Central Chicago
24 hours a day, 365 days a year
O'Hare Airport Auto Pound
Bessie Coleman Drive, O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, IL
O'Hare Airport area
24 hours a day, 365 days a year
How to get there
Central Auto Pound
500 E. Wacker Drive (Lower Level), Chicago, IL
Estimate your fees
Payment: Cash, credit/debit card, US Postal Service money order only. No personal checks.
Estimates based on published rates. Actual fees may vary.
Before you go
Documents: Valid ID, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance.
Payment: Only USPS money orders accepted (not bank money orders). No personal checks. Cash and credit/debit also work.
TimeLimit: 21 days before vehicle is eligible for auction. Can request 15-day extension by calling 312-746-4954 (Mon-Fri 7AM-3PM).
Fees: $250 tow fee (under 8,000 lbs) or $350 (8,000+ lbs). Storage: $50/day (under 8,000 lbs) or $100/day (8,000+ lbs). Maximum $1,500 storage. Boot fee: $100.
Why cars get towed in Chicago
Winter overnight parking ban
From Dec 1 to Apr 1, parking is banned overnight (3 AM–7 AM) on 107 miles of main roads. Thousands get towed every season — even in light snow years.
Snow emergency towing
During declared snow emergencies, additional streets are restricted. Tow trucks deploy immediately after 3 AM.
Street cleaning violations
Posted street cleaning schedules are strictly enforced. Cars left during cleaning windows get ticketed and towed.
Expired plates or city sticker
Vehicles with expired registration or missing the required Chicago city vehicle sticker can be towed from public streets.
Blocking bike lanes
Chicago actively tows vehicles blocking protected bike lanes, especially in downtown and North Side neighborhoods.
Parked in a private lot?
Private property tows are separate from city tows. Contact the property owner or posted tow company. You can enter a payment plan for boot/tow fees.
Know your rights
Chicago Municipal Code regulates private towing. Signage must be clearly posted. Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/18a-300 governs towing. Booted vehicles towed after 24 hours.
Your towing rights in Chicago
Illinois state law protects vehicle owners
🪧Signage Requirements
Signs must be posted at entrances and visible from the roadway. Must state that unauthorized vehicles will be towed and include the tow company contact info.
Details may vary — verify with local authorities.
🚗Right to Retrieve
Owner may retrieve the vehicle before it is removed from the property. Chicago has specific regulations on drop fees.
Details may vary — verify with local authorities.
🏢Private Property Rules
Property owner must authorize the tow. In Chicago, private property towing is regulated by the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection.
Details may vary — verify with local authorities.
📝How to File a Complaint
In Chicago, call 311 or file online at chicago.gov. Elsewhere in Illinois, contact the Illinois Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at (800) 386-5438.
Source: 625 ILCS 5/18a-300, Chicago Municipal Code §9-92
Avoid getting towed in Chicago
Parking Apps
💰 Meter Rates
Rates and hours vary by neighborhood — check nearby signs
🆓 Free Parking
Free overnight parking available. $0.35 convenience fee on ParkChicago transactions under 2 hours.
💡 Pro Tip
Rates vary by neighborhood. Always confirm on nearby signs or in the ParkChicago app. Your payment is tied to your license plate, not the meter.
Pay for parking → avoid towing. It's that simple.
Parked somewhere else?