of convict to be followed during the public comment period
and the duration of all committee and City Council meetings
profane vulgar threatening abusive or disruptive language
is not permitted demeaning discriminatory and harassing
behavior and speech directed towards others is not
permitted disruptive behavior, including disruptive or
disrespectful conducting others presentations is not
permitted banners flyers or signage are not permitted
backpacks large bags and sharp objects are not permitted
clear bad bags not tinted in color that do not exceed 12 by
12 by 6 in will be permitted in our subject to search food
and beverages including in metal canisters are not
permitted cell phones must be placed on silent prior to
entering the meeting room individuals must remain seated
public comment speakers are permitted to stand only when
providing public comment.
small handheld devices may be used only while seated and
the user must refrain from interfering with the view or
hearing of other individuals individuals or groups failing
to adhere to these rules will be asked to see such
disruptive convict and failure to comply will result in
their being subject to removal from the meeting by the
sergeant-at-arms.
City
Chicago city council rules of conduct for public meetings
2023 to 2027 pursuant to the Chicago city council Rules of
Order and procedure rule 49. The sergeant-at-arms sets
forth the following rules of conduct to be followed during
the public comment period and the duration of all committee
and City Council meetings profane.
Still needs to filter on.
here
why am I leasing 8 Conway is not on the committee.
18
meeting on Public Safety will come to order. Thank you for
your patience. And thank you Alders for being here. We uh,
I do believe we have Quorum exactly. So I will start with
calling the role.
uh
Vice chair. Jansy absent Alderman Chico absent alderwoman
Gutierrez
Alderman Lopez
Alderman Curtis
alderwoman tabarez
Alderman sonol Lopez
alderwoman Fuentes Alderman Talya Ferro the whole
Alderman's bazo
Alderman Vasquez Alderman Knudsen Alderman Gardiner
Alderman Martin
alderwoman manah hoppenworth
Alderman Haden
and alderwoman Silverstein
are we do have a request under rule 51 for remote
participation from Alder alder's Chico Gardner Vasquez
kuden and Fuentes. We will entertain a motion to allow for
remote participation for those altars moved by Alderman
Martin hearing no objections. So ordered and remote
participation is enabled.
Oh, I'm sorry. Also, uh have that motion, please include
Vice chair. Jansy who will be participating remotely.
We do have some public speakers today. The first public
speaker is Taiwan Sims.
um
Good morning committee.
Um, I'm gonna read a few names off.
By the way, I'm from Rogers Park.
and y'all know that's the North Side Chicago supposed to be
Like the safer part of Chicago, let's let me read a few
names off.
James Smith Jr. 33 can I say gladney 19. This is um, I
won't read the months 10 and Antonio.
Um, David MacGregor 5. Hmm, Sandy 30 birthday Torres 79
Let me see Brian Curry on 20 Willard watt 73.
And the list goes on and on and on and on and on.
And why hasn't this neighborhood been investigated?
Why hasn't the alderman been investigated? Why hasn't the
24th district been investigated?
Why is it that been in the federal investigation department
of justice?
somebody
because countless black Americans my friends just now the
the the kid that was killed. What in what was that April?
Excuse Me Miss Hatton
all the woman Hatton
And they just picked the the what a 33 the 31 year old the
33 year old DeAndre Lovelace was already charged in a few
other things but the 21 year 21 year old Jamar Hill his
mother moved them out of Roger's Park just to avoid this
type of incident, but he turned around and now James is
dead.
Somebody he never met James probably spent 21 years of his
life in jail, so they never met each other, but he still
murdered or he's been charged allegedly.
for that murder
all these accounts have taken place in Rogers Park
This is my neighborhood. I was shot 5 times. I've been shot
5 times.
I asked Maria Haden.
I've been pushed into a retaliatory place.
Sure, when flowers back in the neighborhood?
Multiple gun Chargers. I've been pushing to a retirement
and I told you I I said in the Ethics Committee and told
them they've been pushing me to murder.
Because look I'm a fighting man a warrior in my heart.
Miss Hatton
don't duck down look because 30 years in my community. This
is my community, but I'm watching countless countless
murders and I'm in my community trying to do good.
Even though I'm supposed to be the I should be the what we
would counted as the bad element.
Morris hellhole
when when is this going to stop Maria?
These people you employ in because they got to be death
squads because they still they go to jail come right back
and I'm being pursued by the city courts right now.
So they could put me in jail. Give me out the way the good
look the good element. So y'all can keep for what paying
forking over money to the bad element. Y'all literally
hired the bad element. So now they took a 21 year old over
there to commit a murder Miss hiding stop look pay
attention here or y'all pay attention because this woman
need to be investigated this neighborhood my neighborhood.
That is suffering.
Our next speaker is Mrs. Lawrence Mrs. Lawrence. Are you
present?
Hello, everyone.
My purpose for being down here today is because my husband
was involved in a auto crash.
Which occurred with 3 cars being totaled?
And the police officer used officers discretion.
When we were telling him that the driver was impaired.
He chose not to do a testing on him.
and not to mention this report, which is a police crash
report traffic report has a heck of a lot of
inconsistencies on here. But yet because of being someone
that's not in that field. I went and scrubbed this report
and come to find out that a primary cause of a 28 was
speeding and could not stop.
The person was also distracted.
These are laws that I believe that are on the books and let
me add he had no insurance and he comes to visit Chicago
several times and has a record. Oh my gosh with the same
purposes of what we found now. I did a search on the scene
and have found the evidence.
also camera, but let's go now to this report that says that
it has the capability of being amended but miss Yolanda
Talley who refuses to allow the amendment to have occurred
is a problem because when you bring evidence of all these
facts
Before the board before Internal Affairs, they have a right
to give us the opportunity to have this documentation
reviewed. They didn't even re didn't even ask the
witnesses. Any questions left them out.
as well as several other things so
we need to get this better and get operations better from
the police itself from higher up. A lot of the police
officers are really good people. I have no qualms against
all the officers, but when we talking from higher up that's
that's not showing any righteousness to do well by the
citizens. We have a problem and anybody want to come talk
to me about this afterwards feel free because I got facts
that I did the work on. So yes, I do have about a couple of
more seconds going on. So I'm going to continue to speak
until my time is up. Thank you for watching the clock
because I see it too. This is the kind of respect you get
when you come down and bring something to light about the
crookedness that's going on in our Brooke County, Illinois.
Thank you.
Our next speaker is Bonita villasin.
Thanks for having me. I'm here for the noise ordinance
sponsored by Alderman Conway.
Every week I'm a Volunteer Clinic escort at Family Planning
and Associates. I've been doing this for almost 2 decades.
What we see and hear is very heartbreaking whether you
support abortion or not. These are people who are accessing
Health Care.
They get yelled at they get crowded on they get their cars
blocked people wearing megaphones people carrying
megaphones. So loud that the clinic staff cannot conduct
business.
1 of the sergeant said well, why don't you move the clinic?
Oh, yeah, right after 38 years. We're gonna have to change
the way we want to do business because of some
uh people who want to come out and disrupt
Health Care for Women
I've had it we call the police and because of the current
noise ordinance. I get it. Nothing can be done. It's 8 a.m.
To 10 p.m.
But imagine you've just flown.
You've just taken an Uber from O'Hare and someone is in
your face yelling all kinds of things at you.
And it's so loud that again we go inside and check you can
hear them inside the rooms with a clinic is trying to
conduct their business. Don't they have a right to conduct
business like any other business?
Because it's a reproductive Health Care Facility. We get
that all the time. I call 911. Well what kind of business
in it?
It's an abortion clinic ma'am.
And 45 minutes we might get help.
There is a stigma about that kind of business and it has to
stop.
And also, you know I run a team of volunteers who?
Without a doubt risk their lives to be out there. We all
know we sign a waiver. We all know we risk Our Lives to be
out there.
I can't scream out active shooter or Rogue escort, which
means somebody who's going to come and do potential harm to
us and to the clinic.
Because they can't hear me.
We had a situation where this car looked like it was going
to just drive on by and I was trying to scream at our
people and they could not hear me because we had somebody
on a megaphone so loud.
That I had to run over there.
Now you all know we did active shooter training and 1 of
the things that Homeland Security made me realize is that
you have seconds not minutes to react if I have to run over
and tell someone there's an active shooter you all know
people are going to die.
So we really need this noise ordinance and we think
Alderman Conway for bringing this to the floor. Thank you.
Our next speaker is Diana morasse.
Hello, my name is Diana Maris. I'm the administrator and
CEO of Family Planning Associates Medical Group. I've been
at this location for 38 years.
I can't tell you how awful it is inside the clinic in
dangerous for us that because we cannot hear.
If I have to call a code blue over the intercom, we can't
hear inside when they're yelling and screaming from
outside. Um the clinic on the PA system. It comes through
the windows where it's 659 West Washington where glass all
the way around.
So when we're talking to patients like last Saturday, I'm
trying to figure out with a patient her medical history to
take it to Dr. Cowat. I couldn't even hear what the patient
was trying to tell me and I'm trying to scream to you have
to speak up and I'm apologizing this goes on all day. It's
so dangerous. I just plead with everyone to get us a noise
ordinance like other health care clinics or hospitals have
this is it's it's growing every week. It's getting louder.
You know, Alderman Conway is giving us his full support.
He's out there.
At the clinic literally I'm outside with the volunteers
begging them to please turn down the PA system just please
so we can hear I mean again if we have emergency if we have
a we have to call.
You know an active shooter my staff can't even hear it in
the back. You can't hear in the clinic. So I'm just begging
you to please do the right thing. We need a fee. We just
we've got to be able to do our business. We've got to be
able to help patients. No matter what they're there. It may
be birth control. It may be abortion, but we need to be
able to hear our patients and do great medical care, which
we've always provided. Well. Thank you.
Our next speaker is Michael Young bae.
It's okay.
to talk about
ordinance for noise
It's okay.
I understand what y'all saying, but
I don't think they hear you.
If they heard you you wouldn't be here.
Okay, that's like they don't hear the noise in our
communities.
And where they even want to take.
Um the shot spot out.
That's a noise. We need to hear huh? We need to hear them
gunshots, right?
We need to hear children crying and screaming.
Mother's hurt and grieving.
That's the real noise.
We need to hear.
the racist remarks
that silent
but visual to the eyes because the eyes can have a ear to
the hair your cles that's watched for you.
You see but how able how often is they able to distinguish
truth from error?
Because y'all see these crimes.
Y'all see these poverty communities.
Y'all see these undeveloped Minds.
Because it is a mental thing.
So when we talk about Public Safety.
It's a lot of noise that go unnoticed.
It's a lot of noise that go unattended to.
Is a lot of things we act like we don't hear.
and
what reflects here?
reflects out there
See, you ain't got look at all them empty seats of these
areas.
They should be caring about the public safety.
Every all the men should be here.
because they getting paid number 1 but number the
Next thing is do you actually care? Do you actually have a
hard to be concerned about what's going on in the community
with Public Safety?
If you just here to put on the suit and sit up there and
hey, I'm the European man. And you n***** can't tell me
s*** or Etc.
and I I brought it down like that because you know,
sometimes that's all people understand you understand the
cussing you understand that the ignorant things but when
someone come and present
And then the wise way and the understanding way y'all don't
hear that y'all don't see it. So cries like that lady even
go unnoticed.
you see
things like that go unnoticed if I say, excuse me, you
don't hear that but I say get the f*** out the way you
understand that.
This public safety issue need to be addressed.
Around the city for the safety of the children.
Because just because it happened and then our neighborhoods
now it can happen. The next speaker is George, Blakemore?
the Public Public Safety
Economic Development
I cried.
racist police
Economic Development
I was appalled to hear that only 2% of the procurement
contracts in in the city of Chicago. Go to black people.
I couldn't believe that.
2%
almost nothing
But you got black faces.
in high places
Yes.
Public Safety
When it comes to jobs Goods contracts and shirts.
economics and Public Safety go together
The poor neighborhoods are not saved.
Especially the poor black neighborhood, but you got black
faces and sometime I call use the word sambo and your
mama's house in to the black ones.
What about honky racism white supremacist Cooper Clan to
the white ones?
Well, they all get along here in the city of Chicago. They
seem Kumbaya all of my Democrats.
But they can't white men and and the nappy black men.
They don't call us n***** up here these white ones, but
they treat you like 1.
with this Economic Development and Public Safety
what Mr. Blakemore 50% of the police or white?
40% Hispanic
10% black Public Safety Economic Development, they go hand
in hand, but these black and these white ones 69 each
other.
This is worse than
communist Russia a chap of fascist Germany right here
right here.
Come by here.
What Trump so racist bad news?
Too. I'm now what are you going to do Mr. V Blakemore? I'm
gonna go to Trump.
on my way to Freedom Lane
Public Safety it's not safe for a black man to drive.
To walk a job.
Public Safety Economic Development go hand in hand.
So these good white folks are you abolitionist?
Are you communist know? You're a Democrat?
Look, all of them are 699 each other.
No further public speakers of registered in a timely
mashion. The first item on the agenda is proposed ordinance
number 4088 Amendment of the municipal code section 83265
designating noise sensitive zones on portions of specified
streets, uh, this item did pass from the Committee on
Public Safety in November. Um, but it was not reported out
to the city council rather. It was held in committee. Uh,
we do need a motion to reconsider to put this item back
before the committee. Uh, Alderman Talya Ferro makes the
motion having voted on the prevailing side to reconsider
the item any objection hearing none. Uh, the item is before
us we then need a motion for the substitute, which is also
before us and on that Alderman Martin moves to accept the
substitute, uh, any objection to that motion hearing none
and passed by the uh, attendance roll call. Uh, Alderman
Conway is the primary sponsor of this item. He is here to
speak on the substitute.
Have been Conway. Yes, uh, Mr. Chairman. I'm here on a a
substitute ordinance that this committee discussed and
passed back on November 13 of 2023 and when it got to the
council floor, the The Corporation Council said she wanted
to take another look at it for constitutional purposes. And
I appreciate that. Uh, we didn't have an issue on
constitutionality before frankly, but can add that this
version is is fully signed off on by The Corporation
Council herself.
This ordinance creates a noise sensitive Zone around family
planning in Associates located 659 West Washington
Boulevard FPA is a medical facility that provides a variety
of critical women's health care services including abortion
as we heard in the public comment.
The Genesis of this ordinance comes from protesters
repeatedly using amplifiers to disrupt health care and
intimidate patients access to it. I've personally observed
protesters putting amplifiers up against the wall the
clinic making it so loud inside that the clinicians can't
hear patients speak and the building Shakes as you heard in
as you heard, uh, uh in the public comment also protesters
running at patients with amplifiers on their person in
attempts to harass women and discourage them from accessing
Health Care.
In addition to a voluminous amount of noise complaints from
surrounding residents.
So this ordinance is a text amendment to an existing
ordinance regarding noise sensitive zones around Health
Care Facilities.
The original ordinance was written by by chairman Hopkins
back in 2019, which established noise sensitive zones
around Northwest Memorial Hospital a health care facility
in a residential area.
And Larry Children's Hospital also a healthcare facility in
your residential area.
And this text Amendment similarly adds a noise sensitive
Zone around a health care facility in a largely residential
area under Section 8-32 Dash 065 of the municipal code.
And for the relevant impact here, here is the complimentary
ordinance, um that goes with this.
And that would be 8-32-16 within noise sensitive zones.
within a noise sensitive Zone dedicated in section
8-32 065 of this chapter and marked with signs
conspicuously indicating the zones boundary. No person
shall create or cause the creation of any sound through the
use of a bullhorn or a loud and
Percussive noise so as to interfere with the functions of
any school library Church hospital or nursing home or other
noise sensitive activity.
So this substitute is identical to the 1 present back on
November 13 to this committee, except the recital's include
explicit findings from the Department of Public Health.
Regarding the health impact of noise on the operations of
this clinic and also the findings from the Chicago Police
Department regarding the volume of noise complaints. They
have received in this area.
In addition the in the substitute ordinance. The area has
been slightly adjusted to be even more narrowly tailored
around the facility.
And as part of the legislative record, I'd like to remind
you of the previous testimony of 3 experts familiar with
the conditions around Family Planning and Associates. This
full testimony is also part of the public video record from
that hearing in reference to the rule 45, uh, uh report
from that hearing as well.
But a brief summary includes the testimony of Dr. Cowit Who
is medical director of Family Planning and Associates who
noted that excessive noise impedes peace of mind for
patients in the waiting room interferes with communication
between patients and providers and impinges on staff
conducting medical procedures.
And specifically that people inside this Health Care
Facility cannot hear each other when megaphones microphones
and speakers are used outside the clinic walls.
This was buttressed by the testimony of Bonita. Ulusan who
you heard from earlier today during public comment who is
the founder of the clinic vest project and a patient Clinic
escort who said she can't communicate safety issues with
staff and escorts because the noise and that window Shake
because of the noise created by amplification devices. You
also heard on that day from Katie stanza kevwitch who is
director of government relations at Planned Parenthood,
Illinois who testified that aggressive tactics as are seen
on display at Family Planning and Associates are designed
to interfere with individuals ability to seek health care
and patients should be comfortable and secure in offices.
In fact, Dr. Cowett and Miss Hulan are in the audience
today along with FBA coo Diana. Merus who heard from in
public comment.
A few other supporters were in the audience today including
representatives from plant parody to Illinois and personal
pack, uh, including CEO Sarah Garza Resnik, and I want to
thank you all for your for your support as well.
Additionally, I'd like to make part of the record the list
of noise complaints received around this proposed noise
sensitive Zone, which was distributed as part of your
materials for today's meeting.
Now every single 1 of the health services offered at Family
Planning and Associates are being negatively affected by
the use of Amplified devices outside this clinic and
therefore I'd ask you all for your support on this. Thank
you.
Thank you Alderman Conway the uh record of the noise
complaints at this facility have been entered into the
meeting record, uh questions or comments for the sponsor.
Elder woman may not happen with
Thank you chair. Thank you Alderman Conway for your work on
this issue. This is very upsetting to have to um call the
health providers back to City Hall to testify about this
ongoing issue. Uh, thank you for coming all of the speakers
who came, um, and I'm sorry, this is happening. But also,
um, I'm glad that we're um bringing this up. I was curious
to know. Um, do you have a plan with the police department
to ensure that you're going to be able to
um
secure the area
after we pass this
so as part of um, as as part of the ongoing efforts to to
um,
Reduce the continued harassment of patients at this Clinic
we have added extra. Um,
we have added extra police, uh presence. Um,
and that's you know, that's been more broadly since since I
took office but specifically, uh,
myself and and and Ray Phillips Santos from the Law
Department met with Commander Harris of the first district
regarding this, uh regarding this ordinance to to um,
gather any any, uh,
Issues we may have with enforcement and he is fully on
board with that which is also kind of buttressed by the
additional findings by the police department regarding the
issues. Uh issues that this facility
Yeah, well, I'm glad that uh, you are coordinating. Um,
thank you to the police department for helping along the
way. Um, I I hope that we can pass this without any
objections.
And I fully support this ordinance. Thanks.
All right. Thank you Alderman. Uh Alderman cincho Lopez.
thank you chairman, and I want to rise also in support of
these, um, um ordinance also, um to the representatives of
the Family Planning Associates who are here, um, of course
or um, um, or solidarity and all support. I agree that um
in the state of Illinois in the city of Chicago abortion
rights are respected and our values cannot be negotiated.
Um, I I I appreciate also Alderman Conway's um effort to
make sure and I think this being a repeated effort by
Alderman Conway that has tried by all means necessary make
sure that we respect um, not only the constitution of the
state of Illinois and the city code of the city, um, but
the right of Chicagoans, especially, um women who are uh
seeking, um service at the clinic they have the the right
to do so, uh without
Any harassment, uh without any fear of retaliation because
the Constitution and our city, um has voted Democratic to
do so, I think that this also, um an important reminder
that they are unfortunately interests that continue to try
to take us back in time, um to uh a time where uh respect
Intolerance seem to be now. Um, unfortunately, uh forcing
Electro officials the alderman Conway to have to come out
directly, uh to address this issue. Um,
Uh on his own. So I really appreciate Alderman Conway's
effort and I urge your colleagues, um to support this
ordinance as well to be vigilant about this interest that 1
Tchaikovsky.
No, um, oh, I'm sorry Alderman's pisado.
Thank you chairman.
No surprise anybody that I'm not supporting this for a
number of reasons.
A little surprised that we have 4 attorney in this room that
think this is okay.
to uh
Silence freedom of speech so um, I know there's levels that
were concerned about I know some people are certainly out
of control and can certainly be dangerous. I feel that's a
2-way street.
little unclear to me why we're singing out abortion clinics
and that other places like schools and public offices and
and counter rallies and I believe we said churches in there
on that church and Parks. Um, I myself and it a uh,
anti-abortion rally and I could tell you that the people
across the street that were counter protesting were out of
control what Amplified noise banging drums totally
disruptive and I felt maybe a little bit dangerous. I'm not
sure um, but certainly
my belief in freedom of speech even though I don't like
what happened. Sometimes I see what happens to some of us
that elected officials. I see what happened to 1 of my
colleagues today. I see what's happened to my colleagues in
the past. I say 1 of my colleagues whose office is
constantly harassed who's badgered and everything with
freedom of speech but freedom of speech is just that it's
freedom of speech whether we like it or not. We can't pick
and choose and say well you can't go to abortion clinic,
but you can go any place else. Um,
Not sure why the chairman I'm not sure why the police aren't
here that I'm baffled. I am totally baffled why the police
would not be here if we're asking them to enforce this
because you all in here know you all get we all get noise
complaints and we don't go out there. It's not up to us to
go out there and tell the neighbor. Hey Johnny, stop
blasting your music. Hey, Mary, stop blasting your music.
Be more Behavior. It's up to the police to come out there.
And what are they doing? They go out there people. There's
anybody here know what they have to do to see if they're
violating any noise. Does anybody know I'll tell you they
have they have a sound meter. Okay, they have to measure
the sound. It's not a subjective thing. All right, they
have the sound meter. So therefore if we want the police to
enforce this, they should have more tools then to say okay
across the board not just at abortion clinics. My reason
for being opposed to this is twofold obviously freedom of
speech and I have these need abortion thing. Nobody should
be harassed for their rights. Um, so I have a problem. I
can't support this. Um, very very very disappointed. The
police aren't here.
To weigh in on this because they're the ones that have to
enforce it. It's not us. It's not the word soup. It's not
the clinic themselves. Bottom line is you have to call the
police. I would hope
I mean, I hope and I always say this I don't understand why
people feel they have to be the noisiest most obnoxious
type people around you catch more bees with honey than you
do with vinegar. I always say but um, I for 1 I'm not
supporting this also disappointing that I believe there's a
bee for attorneys here that think this is okay, which I
don't and also very very disappointed of police aren't here
to weigh in on
To say how they feel about this and how they plan on
enforcing this so I for 1 will not be supporting this but
thank you chairman for letting me have my say yeah, thank
you Alderman pisado with the appropriate time. Uh, you'll
be forwarded the opposition to register a no vote, uh, even
if we don't do a roll call Alderman Martin,
Thank you chairman. I I was actually gonna just uh move to
pass and before I do um is 1 of uh, I think the 400s or
former attorneys that Alderman's basado mentioned. I just
want to share that um, if had good conversations with
Alderman Conway terrific conversations with our Law
Department with the legislative reference Bureau, um to
make sure that we are abiding by uh, many, uh rights and
regulations some of which is Alderman's basado noted can be
competing at times but uh, we certainly have um, a
residents across Chicago and sadly, um Neighbors from other
states and other parts of our country, uh needing to
exercise their rights, uh, given the attack on those
rights, um, uh from the Supreme Court and many others, so
I'm glad that we continue to be a safe haven within
Illinois, um as a city but also across the Midwest and the
entire country. Um, I think this was given
the appropriate amount of close scrutiny by attorneys across
the across Chicago, um, including within um, the law
department and I think at the end of the day, um, we have a
voluminous record some of which is included here that
Alderman Conway and others were able to put together and we
heard um, some testimony, uh from from people who are are
are Advocates both on the health care space as well as um
outside of these facilities. So I think that there's an
abundant record in case anyone has concerns from a legal
standpoint. Um, uh that that should uh, give people um
comfort in knowing that this is the right vote to take. Um,
I commend Alderman Conway, uh for for sticking with this
ordinance. It's such a critical time and um commend the
people who work with and volunteer with Family Planning
Associates to ensure that um, everyone across the city and
Beyond have access to basic human rights. So with that move
to pass, uh, thank you Alderman Martin.
I do pass motion on the substitute ordinance Alderman
Curtis.
and and uh, I apologize, but I know we always have our side
bars with with with our uh,
Our people in law and and our attorneys, but can we hear
from 1 of those attorneys today?
Yeah, there's there is someone present from the Law
Department.
Thank you.
Basically, we won't basically I'm I'm sorry, uh, uh Tony
Phillips. We like to just hear about the ordinance and what
your thoughts are on it.
Good at good afternoon, Ray Phillips onto on behalf the
city of Chicago Department of Law.
As you know Alderman on matters like this the Department of
Law prefers to uh, discuss just uh in a less public forum.
Um, however, yes, we did work on this ordinance in
collaboration with uh, Alderman Conway, um, the uh, the
changes to the ordinance. Um,
Change it so that uh, it makes it uh given the issues that
are involved.
As as as a defensible as as we can make it.
Thanks. Yeah, uh, I I appreciate that, um chairman because
you know, a lot of times we do have our uh side bars with
the attorneys, but but uh, I think it's it would be good.
If uh, we do make it transparent parents. So everyone will
understand, uh, the issues that we go through to get these
ordinance passed.
So I thank you. Thank you, and I do rely on uh, uh, Ray
Phillips to to leave and guide me. Thank thank you so much.
Absolutely anytime Alder. Thank you. Thank you.
Do we have uh someone on remote participation seeking?
Yes chairman Hopkins.
Okay.
I'm sorry, I don't have the
Alderman Gardner
Yeah, we can hear you Alderman Gardner. Okay, can you can
you put me down as a no, please?
No vote.
Sure. Okay. So what we'll do is uh go to the motion by
Alderman Martin to uh, put a due pass recommendation on the
substitute with leave. We will modify the attendance roll
call for this to reflect a no vote from Alderman pisado and
Alderman Gardner anyone else remote wanted to be uh, no
Okay alderman pisado.
Since law is weighing in here.
Um
We we feel this is okay to do this without CPD being here.
I mean, we don't think that CPD should be here and helping
let us know how they plan on enforcing this and that
they're going to get more sound meters or or whatever. It's
going to be and we're going to be able to designate certain
areas throughout the city of of certain certain things that
are going on when we see you see as an attorney you see no
problem with that.
Good afternoon.
And I'm not trying to put you on the spot. I mean, I you
know, but I mean I see a big problem with this, you know,
you got you got the law degree. I got the high school
diploma. I mean I something something's not right here
educate me. You know, I'm very proud of my high school
diploma, but you know something something ain't right here,
you know, this is this is a dangerous precedent. We're
going down a dangerous road people. Where do you agree with
me or not on abortion? And I know probably pretty much
everybody in here doesn't agree with me on it. But this is
a dangerous road. We're going down about freedom of speech.
That's as far as I'm concerned. So I see how I'm badgered.
I see how my colleagues are badgered with stuff because of
freedom of speech but yet we're going to say that they
can't go in front of
Abortion clinics and I agree it it I don't believe anybody
should be able to go to anything with Amplified noise, but
we if we're going to are we going to say everything in the
city? I'm fine with that if we're just going to say
abortion clinic. I have a big problem with it. So let's say
you
Good afternoon, Alderman Ray Phillips Santos again on
behalf of the city of Chicago Fire. I know that.
um, there were
Sorry, but there were several questions. I believe in that
and um it it
and so
may I just review that?
Um
section 832 060 of the municipal code
allows the city council to pass noise sensitive zones.
So and in that as um, you said before noise sensitive
activities include but are not limited to operations of
schools.
libraries open to the public churches hospitals and nursing
homes
the city council has seen fit, uh that to designate um
certain areas of which they're currently 5 in.
section 8320065
um, this is uh adding an area
uh to that so and as Alderman Conway read before section
832120
says what it is that can and cannot happen in 1 of those
zones.
and it is not a
limitation on uh all speech in that zone. It is only a
limitation.
on
uh, the creation of any sound through the use of a bullhorn
or loud and
Or by use of an object that has struck manually or with a
stick or similar item to produce a sharp percussive noise.
So as to interfere with the functions of any as before
school library Church hospital or nursing home or other
noise sensitive activity.
They're
uh, you know if if in terms of
the finer details of law
I'm happy to have a conversation with you, uh outside of
the public sphere, um, because
there are protections because
uh, we're both with the city that we don't have when we're
speaking public, right? Um, so if I'd be happy to continue
the conversation as to the legality, um, um, you know in
your office my office wherever
All right. Thank you for that. So in other words if I
wanted to designate my office to just say it and this isn't
happening. But if I'm being harassed by a group of people
that are coming out there making loud noise hard for us to
conduct business. I I would be able to designate my office
as a design spot where they can't go out with loud
Amplified noise or a drum or megaphone. Well, I don't
believe that your office would fall under School library
open to the public church hospital or nursing home. I know
it doesn't but we could add it though then.
And if you wanted to add that, uh, sir, I'd be happy to
discuss with you outside of this forum. All right, thank
you Alderman pisado on your point about uh, Chicago Police,
uh not here to testify. Would you allow the sponsor to
respond to that? Because Corp Council really can't speak to
that. Yeah. No problem.
ottoman Conway
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, you know, but I I mean I will
respond very briefly all that with that. I mean this is is
by the by the way, not only am I Alderman. I've also been a
licensed attorney in this state since uh, 2006. Uh, and
this is this is a
Content neutral law and a and a legitimate time place and
manner restriction, which the Supreme Court has repeatedly
accepted. Um, and this already exists. This is a text
Amendment this already exists at 2 other Healthcare
facilities in Northwestern and luehrs and I and I would
reiterate that I I have spoken to Commander Harris. I
mentioned the 1 meeting. I had I had with uh with uh, Mr.
Philip Santos, but I also had a I had an additional meeting
since then uh on this as well. I have also spoken to or my
staff has spoken to represent representatives from C dot
regarding the signs that need to be uh, that need to be uh
placed there. So, um we have been in
consistent contact with uh with the Chicago Police
Department and specifically the commander, uh of this
district and the district where this Clinic is, uh, it is
worth noting. There is a lot a lot of police activity
happening in the in the loop of these times so we can
understand that he is not here at this moment in time, but
it is not because we have not had the proper meetings to
ensure.
Enforceability and the steps that need to be taken to do
that. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Uh alderwoman
Haden
Um, thank you chair.
Um, just uh also wanted to I guess reiterate for my
colleagues that some some of uh, raise points, but
sound restrictions are also pretty common. They're pretty
common processes for us to go through even when we're
looking at permits and issuing things. Um, so this is this
is pretty regular business. Um, and that we're not limiting
free speech, um or right to assembly in this at all. Um
again, this is about Amplified sound especially for
sensitive areas related to safety. I think we heard from
some of the public speakers, um, how the Amplified noise
and sound prevents them from carrying out their work and
and their General business and also creates hazards for
safety. Um, and I do think that um, if my colleague were
uh, Nick if you had this issue at your ward office, I would
support you.
like if you know if it was really like if you had a similar
issue so I do think it's fair for us to consider that um,
but just to let you know like if somebody was out there
like every day with Amplified noise making it impossible
for your staff to answer constituent calls and for you guys
to to do your business and we needed to consider adding it
as a sensitive area. I think that would be a worthy
discussion and i would support you in that.
So, all right. Almond Martin. Do you wish to reset your
motion?
before I do just to Quick points of information 1 it's not
just as Alderman Conway mentioned something where um a CPD
and and uh C dot were um, uh conferred with its required in
the ordinance itself that there be quote a finding
developed in consultation with the Department of police and
the Department of Public Health. That such zone is an area
where North noise sensitive activities take place. So this
is something that we have to do as a manner. Of course
anytime someone is requesting this and then second the
noise activities that um, Ray had discussed that's a
non-exhaustive list. So I actually don't think that the
ordinance even needs to be amended if uh, you look at that,
uh, non-exclusive non-exhaustive list, uh to see okay,
what's the flavor here? It's uh, the provision of public
services. So I think that any aldermanic office or really
any um, uh public institution that is being um, uh, uh
interfered with in the ways,
Um that had been discussed here, um could potentially Avail
themselves of this. So I think that there's ample
opportunity, um to ensure that uh, we have adequate
consultation, which I believe happened here and that um, as
issues arise and Al aldermanic offices are elsewhere, um
that we can deal with them through what's already on the
books. And with that. I renew my motion. Thank you Alderman
Martin. Uh, the motion is do pass recommendation on the
substitute with leave to modify the attendance roll call to
reflect no votes from Alderman specific and Alderman
Gardner anyone else remote wish to be recorded as a no
Uh hearing none no objection to the motion. Other than that
the motion carries the items passed. Thank you.
Uh, the next item is
Proposed resolution 7489 sponsored by Alderman viegas who
is here. I believe he just stepped out for a minute. Uh,
but we do need to substitute that as well. So can I get a
motion to substitute the resolution, uh, moved by
alderwoman Haden hearing? No objections. So ordered we do
have a number of speakers who wish to speak on this matter
involving, uh Rogue toe operators in the city of Chicago
while we are waiting for Alderman Vegas to return and uh,
give his opening statement. We will uh request that the
commissioner of streets in San commissioner call Stallard,
uh, open up with his remarks commissioner, please
Co-star Department of streets in San uh, we look forward to
engaging in a conversation, uh through the committee, uh to
try to find a solution to uh a problem that we're well
aware of
And um, Mr. Loco any specific comments to open the
discussion no same as coal. We feel the same way. We know
we're aware of the issue and we're trying to work it out
the best we can.
Okay. Uh also I have in the speakers list, uh from business
and consumer affairs, uh, Ivan kapali good afternoon
chairman and good afternoon members of the committee. Uh, I
have encapsulated first Deputy Commissioner bacp here
available to answer questions with that pertaining to
licensing and consumer, uh for a protection, okay?
And also from bacp Michael Tibbs, Mr. Tibbs any comments.
I have no comments at this time. Michael Tibbs bacp.
Okay.
Uh manager of business compliance with bacp. Uh, Jaime
Martinez. Yeah, no comments at this time.
Uh deputy chief Daniel o'conor from the Chicago Police
Department. Yes, uh, I'm uh happy to be here and happy to
answer any questions on behalf of the department for this
issue. Thank you and officer Renee Gonzalez.
Uh, I'm here on behalf of okay, very good the department.
Okay, Alderman viegas, uh, please present your opening
remarks on this issue. And uh, your your panel has withheld
comment. They prefer to simply answer any questions that
might be directed to them on this subject matter.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman for and colleagues for
uh hearing this matter. This is an issue that's been going
on for decades.
Uh, and in 2021, uh this body, uh, put forward, um an
ordinance that created a licensing for a license for tow
truck drivers, uh, at that time. It was the second city in
the country to put forth such uh initiative to deal with
and try to get Rogue towing under control.
however, um
There are still issues around this around Rogue tours. And
uh with this resolution does this call for hearing with
those folks that have to deal with this issue on a daily
basis.
And those those of you that have been following this issue
time and time again, you've seen uh residents in the city
of Chicago residents in Cook County have been impacted, uh
in gouged to the tombs of thousands of dollars in an
industry. That's quite frankly in my opinion unregulated
and the fact that the ICC has ultimate authority over this
but doesn't have the resources is another issue that we'll
have to work with down in Springfield in order to make sure
they have the necessary resources because it's leaving
municipalities throughout the state to fend for themselves.
Um, and so under a as a home rule City, we're taking an
effort here to try to figure out how to deal with this
issue. So that way from a public safety perspective. We
have residents that um as tow trucks are driving around the
city chasing accidents. They're also putting people's lives
in danger. Uh, and what prompted the initial ordinance
around, uh, the license was because it was an accident
where a tow truck driver was pursuing a call.
And hit a bus and that bus went into a business and thank
God that there were no passengers. I'm sorry, there were
no, um folks that were waiting for the bus in front of that
establishment or else it would have been fatalities. And so
that's what really prompted this initiative. I know that
it's been talked about for decades, but I think that we
finally we have to get our hands around this so that way
folks that have uh at sometime an accident and are
vulnerable are not taking advantage of
uh, thank you Alderman Vegas questions for the sponsor or
for our panel almond pisado.
Sharon I'm not sure who my question is for. Um Can somebody
Define a rogue tow truck driver to me? Because there's a
lot of legitimate tow truck drivers that are just out of
control that have a valid license and everything. And as a
first responder I saw how they would beat us, but the
accident all the time and just as a citizen, I'm sure
everybody here has seen tow truck drivers blowing red
lights driving 50 miles an hour, uh down the street. Um,
they're dangerous. Uh, they create more problems. I've seen
them getting fights with each other at the scenes. So what
what exactly do we mean by a rogue tow truck driver who
kind of be my question? So yeah, thank you for that
question Alderman, uh to your point. The the Rogue towards
are these towards that are licensed by the ICC. Uh, but
since over since ICC doesn't have the resources necessary
to oversee. This industry are allowed to work within
municipalities and take it.
Advantage of folks when they're most vulnerable. So to your
point where as when you were a first responder and the fire
department in an accident took place, you would often see
tow truck drivers at the scene, um soliciting, uh people
that were in accidents, uh, and and quite frankly were in a
knot in a in a in a good position to make a sound decision
and they would find themselves with their vehicle towed at
a yard and then uh, and then required to pay for the
release of the vehicle in cash. Uh, and um, and if they and
if they weren't able to pay in cash, they would not release
the vehicle. So, uh, these Rogue towers are very organized,
um and have uh, put themselves in jurisdictions where
they're constantly competing for 1 another claim
territories and to your point have even had fights with 1
another and in some instances have pulled out guns, uh, and
and pointed at 1 another because they were in their
specific territories, um, and to try to get customers
so
What the issue that we've been dealing with? We we thought
from a licensing perspective that it would begin to address
it. But what we saw that this this issue continues, uh in
the city of Chicago and we need to get the players within
city government in in uh in a position to deal with this
issue. So that's why we've called for CPD bacp streets and
sanitation, uh to come forward so that way they can talk
about their process and what it is that they're doing and
what it is what are some of their ideas around dealing with
this issue and then we've also in brought folks that have
been impacted industries that have seen, um this occurring
throughout the country because it's not um, it's not just
regulated to Chicago. Uh, again, Philadelphia had a big
issue around Rogue tours. They've kind of tampered it down
with other large cities in the country are dealing with
this issue and we're trying to figure out from from the
inner workings of city government how we can reduce the
victims that are being impacted by this by this by this
operation.
additional questions
Uh, I have 1 for uh W Chief. Okay Conor and it's based on
personal observation, uh that I've actually seen Rogue
Towers at the scene of a vehicle collisions where vehicles
have been disabled. I've seen them patrolling the
neighborhood looking for vehicles to tow, uh oftentimes.
They either don't have an ICC number displayed or in many
cases. There's a number displayed but the legitimacy of
that number is in question. They just spray paint a number.
You know hand hand written a number on a piece of plywood
Stick it to the side of the truck. Um and the scene of a of
a collision. Uh, do the uh, Patrol officers have the
ability to verify the registration status of a tow truck
that happens to show up. Are they trained in what to look
for? Um, and and what happens uh, when a tow truck shows up
at the scene of an accident and claiming legitimacy trying
to tow a vehicle. What is the responsibility of the patrol
officers who may be on the scene at that time?
Sure. Um and thank you, sir further question. Um attempt to
Chief Daniel Connor Chicago Police Department. Um our
Primary responsibility when we respond to a traffic crash
is obviously to render Aid and to um administer any sort of
first aid, that's the consistent with their training. Um,
once it's done we want to uh, secure the scene to like make
sure that everything is safe and no, um additional
accidents happen and then obviously we'll begin our
preliminary. Um,
Investigation into you know, the the cause and the
involvement, um and have been there. Obviously the scenes
can be as minor as a fundamental or you know up to and
including uh,
Significant injury or death. So um with all those factors,
you know, our like goal is obviously to help out who like
we can first make sure that fires on the way and then as
part of that preliminary, uh,
That preliminary investigation then.
That's when we begin to uh, see who's on the scene. How do
they get there where they called in? You know, like did
they just arrived through means that they were called by
the owner or agent or like what they called by you know, or
like if they were called by us. Um, as far as verifying, um
through the ICC, um, we would contact uh through oemc and
um attempt to verify, um now, uh, as far as access to the
ICC like database, um,
I'm not exactly sure what OMC is the capability is to um
determine, you know, uh, how often it's updated or uh who
or how or how they have access to it?
Yeah, I I appreciate that answer. Uh, that does seem like
something we should follow up on, uh, oftentimes you have
these Rogue operators monitoring scanner traffic and when
they hear of a collision involving airbag deployment, uh,
they assume that there's going to be injuries. They assume
vehicle owners will be transported and not on the scene.
They assume the vehicle is not drivable drivable after an
airbag is deployed. Uh, so that's what they use like a
beacon to, you know race to the scene, uh, and and try to
tow a vehicle without proper authorization. So, um, it it
it does, uh, raise a question whether or not we have the
capability to easily verify the legitimacy of a cooperator
that shows up and we will follow up on that. Um any further
questions
alderman, pisado
Thank you chairman. Not a question just an idea. Um, maybe
we need to put something in here about obviously they make
you sign contracts when you got you on the street and
people are maybe distraught from the accident. They're all
worried and maybe maybe we have to put something in there
where if you sign a contract but 1 of these towing
companies that maybe it wouldn't be valid for you know, you
got I don't know 24 48 hours to cancel the contract or
something like that. I don't know. I don't know if the the
the maker of this, uh,
ordinance will be open to that because I I see what happens
and you see them on the news that people got stuck for
thousands of dollars of bills that they you know, they
charge you a ridiculous amount of money per day. If you
don't take it out of there and then you end up paying them
more than the car is even worth. So I just like to see us
add something like that if possible so
Yeah, thank you Alder, Mr. Bazar. Your suggestions are uh
are well timed because we actually don't have an ordinance
before us. This is just a resolution calling for a subject
matter hearing so we can discuss it. Uh and lay the
groundwork for a future ordinance Alderman Vegas.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, I'll miss Pat just um for your
for your knowledge here. Uh, there are firms that tow truck
firms that um, once they get in trouble, um, they just open
up another company. Um, so we need to make sure that
there's a mechanism in place to identify.
The the owners of these companies so that way uh, once they
found to be a bad actor they can be prohibited from doing
business in the city. Um, but I I think I think that that's
1 part of what we're trying to discuss here. But I think I
want to hear from like streets and sand and some of the
other folks that are part of this because we do have a tow
truck companies that are on contract with the city. And so
I think that it's a matter of trying to figure out what's
the best process once an accident has occurred, like what's
cpd's responsibility what streets and Sans responsibility
if any what's OEM sees bacp Etc. So that way uh from there
we can craft some legislation around what the process or
protocol should be. Um, because we're right now what we're
seeing is that this industry is the Wild Wild West and we
have people that are um, being gouged, uh, not to not to
mention people that are people that are being uh, put in in
unsafe positions as
These vehicles are are are driving across the city, uh with
disregard to any type of rules that are currently in place.
So we got to figure out how from a legislative site how to
do this but also from an operational side to figure out
what are the tools that oemc bacp CPD and other folks
related to this how what do they need from from us in order
to make sure that we can put it put an end, uh to the most
part around this issue. So I'd be interested to find out
like what are some of the roles within the Departments and
and and uh around this issue. Yeah commissioner. If you
could just shed some light on this issue from your
perspective, please sure Cole Stallard, uh, commissioner
Street in sanitation and and thank you for bringing this
up. Uh, it is a painful issue to see to watch. Um,
We told about 6,700 cars a month, um when we pull up to the
scene.
You know our vendor as a placard on the side with a number.
We work closely with CPD.
To try to ensure that their membership knows that these are
our folks and we're here to do it and bring them to 2 Auto
pounds. So there's no mystery of where this car is going,
you know there it's going to 103 or it's going to
Sacramento 1 1 of those 2 spots. So people know that
they're not looking all over God's green earth to try to
find out where their car is. We do know that it is.
An extreme situation a lot of times, um in regards to you're
dealing with very bad, uh accidents with injuries or death
at times and these are very intense situations.
Um, so anything that we can do as a group, uh, with bacp
the support of you to stop this nonsense that we we're
aware of that goes on out there.
I'm sure people would be happy insurance companies would be
happy.
the rental car places that you mentioned would be happy and
just know that you have our commitment to continue to work
with our vendor to to make sure that
out of those 25 contractors that they have that they they
are up to code and when they do pull up there that I that's
an easy identical, uh, identifiable marker. So people can
see it and feel that comp that sense of comfort, uh versus
that contractor that's that toe toe company that's pulling
up there trying to get somebody to sign a piece of paper
and they think they're signing that piece of paper to get
their belongings out of their car and little did they know
that there's that little that little subsection down there
that said we got your car now, so we're well aware of the
situation, uh, well aware and and we welcome this
conversation and this forum to uh,
Try to get something done on a positive.
Commission. Let me give you a specific scenario, uh that I
know happens and walk me through. Uh what the response is
in a case like this. Uh, there's an immediate toe order
give it to the expert Loco who's been doing this for 30
plus years. Very good. Thank you, Mr. Loco. There's an
immediate toe order, uh that's issued due to either a
collision or some circumstances where the vehicle is, uh,
you know, creating a hazard and obstruction has to be
moved. Uh, the the toe is dispatched either as a streets
and sand truck or 1 of your contractors, uh authorized when
they arrived on the scene the vehicle's gone. What do we
do? What happens at that point? Uh, thank you for the
question, sir. Right now what happens we just call it in
and we mark it on the incident board. The vehicle is gone.
There's nothing we can do about it.
But usually when there's an accident we tow about 200
accidents a month. We told them right into the autopilot.
Once they get in the autopilot. They're secured.
The so that means the customer the owner of the vehicle. We
sent out a notification to them. Once they hit that auto
pump. That's the whole key is trying to get them into the
auto phone the issue Falls like like the alderman says once
we get out there they're gone or once we get there.
Sometimes we don't get notified about the vehicle because
they're out there before us basically sometimes.
In such uh an occasion though, isn't it almost certain that
the vehicle was taken by unauthorized operator. It didn't
drive away, right because it's wrecked. So when you get
there, obviously that's 1 less job that you guys have to do
in your busy. I understand that makes your life a little
easier in the moment, but don't we document that something
illegal certainly occurred, uh, or if not illegal improper
someone even if they're licensed toe operator, uh, they
were not the 1 that was dispatched. They were not the 1
that was told to tow that vehicle. So they're going to sell
it for scrap or do something else with it. Do we not
document that and uh, you know report it as a as a
potential crime.
a cold start again commissioner Street to sanitation what
we're discussing here is
sometimes when we go out there there may be that person
where there are legitimate companies. Uh, they have a I'm
not going to plug a specific insurance company, but they
may have a towing set up. They may have a a tow company a a
a tow company that they use that they pay for that. They're
like, no, it's we're talking about those people that are
Addressing the scanner. So we document it that it was gone
again as he says we deal with about 200 a month. A lot of
them are on Lakeshore Drive. Uh, a lot of them are in
Lakeshore Drive, um, but to your point your point is noted
that um, we can do better. Um, and we'll continue to work
with the police, um in those types situations to stop
situations like this and uh also for the record so, you
know, we we uh are in a process of being audited the whole
process with the Inspector General right now. It's on an
audit so we look forward and we've been dealing with uh her
office for probably the past 6 months. Um, and basically
hey, how can we do this better? How how can we do this
better? So, um again,
we always know we can do things better and uh, I think
through discussions like this it helps us get there.
Thank you commissioner. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, uh, can we
hear from bacp? Because I know they have like a a tow truck
section and then at some point Mr. Chairman would love to
hear from uh, the industry the uh insurance industry as to
what's some of their ideas around this as this is
proliferating around the country as well.
Thank you. Alderman viegas Ivan Capi first Deputy
Commissioner bacp. I'd like to go over the licensing
process here so that you guys know what the city is doing.
Um, the ordinance was amended and passed. Um,
Passed in 2022, uh that requires a licensing, uh, a total
licensing for to operating in the city of Chicago. So the
process right now towing companies need separate licenses
for each lot and for each tow truck. Uh, there are 3 paths
for a towing license 1 is a toe storage slot within the
city of sugar a toe storage lot within the city of Chicago
a toe storage slot outside the city of Chicago and a tow
truck operation with no Chicago storage lot but linked to a
motor vehicle repair
operating in the city of Chicago the do the documents that
are required, um to apply for a license are uh for the lot
is lease and ownership proof a site plan a safety relocate
relocator relocator registration issued by the Illinois
Commerce Commission.
Insurance an individual history form which is, uh is going
to lead to a background check, um made by bacp and a
government ID if you're operating a lot within the city of
Chicago the law requires a Sony review.
is the same requirement when it comes to documents if you're
you're operating a tow truck, uh a tow truck company
outside of the Chicago limits and you are required to have
a city of Chicago license, even if you're outside of the
city
Um, there's an exemption uh for uh storage lot. Uh, if if
The truck is parked outside of the uh motor vehicle repair.
I'm sorry. There's an exemption for uh tow truck operations
that are licensed, but do not are not claiming a a storage
slot. But they are associated with the license motor
vehicle repair operating within the city of Chicago and a
zoning review is actually uh required
Documents for no storage lot operation, of course also
require lease and ownership proof of the uh association
with the motor vehicle repair a tow truck ownership proof a
site plan again, a safety relocator registration from the
Illinois Commerce Commission Insurance individual history
form and a government ID for each tow truck you need proof
of ownership anything that actually is required by the
Secretary of State to be a a legal vehicle to operate on
our roads approved of ownership VIN number a license plate
and insurance.
And the same is actually required for a companies that are
operating outside of Chicago. Then there is another
requirement which is a fingerprint and a background that is
required for all type of licenses. Um, in addition, uh for
us to make sure that they're legit legitimate towards the
document review is very detailed and thorough within bacp
for that license and those documents are are are required
at the time of application again, valid lease or proof of
property ownership for for every lot a site plan and you
heard me saying you heard me saying this a few times a
valid a valid safety relocators registration certificate
from the ICC.
uh proof of insurance and of course the the uh background
check
Thank you. Thank you chairman. So, um
Alderman, I'm sorry to Chairman Hopkins.
um scenario where an accident occurs
Like what's the best way to deal with this issue? Where?
Uh, we minimize the risk of people being taken advantage of
so we know that an accident occurs.
Someone's notified and how do we plug in?
uh our vendor that we have on contract, um or the CPD play
a role as it relates to making sure that the folks that
come on the scene are the ones that have been dispatched by
the insurance company so that way again we're minimizing
the risk of of people that are in a vulnerable position to
make a wrong decision, which ultimately cost them thousands
of dollars. So we just love to figure out
From your perspective what you think how to play out? So
that way that gives us an opportunity to take a look at how
to find some type of legislation around how this process
should be or what should be done to deal with this issue
that's been going on for for decades and Co um commissioner
I would say that you guys do a tremendous job. Um, it's
just there's a lot of accidents that occur within the city
of Chicago.
um, but we do we do have to deal with this process because
there are hundreds of people and an annual basis that are
just being gouged uh, and and these total and these row
tours are driving around the city, uh, putting PE public
safety at risk. So just again love to figure out from your
perspective and then if the insurance companies or the
industries that ultimately have to deal with this if they
could get some insight, I think this is what this is about
is trying to figure out how to deal with this issue so we
can minimize the amount of exposure to to the residents of
the city of Chicago.
So I'll give you a quick uh couple words and then I'll turn
it over to deputy chief so he can talk on the police side.
Um again, I want to stress this the city of Chicago to the
Department of streets and sanitation through its vendor.
Have all the tow trucks.
To be able to address any situation that arises in the city
of Chicago within the city limits and on Lakeshore Drive.
We're at the ready for that. That's something that is not
of question or of need. We're we're good, um half of our
half of the contract, uh subcontractors that they have mwb
certified.
um
again, we're there and we're not in the business of doing
what we're trying to stop right now. Our fees are where
they're at. The storage fee is the same no matter what the
situation is.
No matter what the situation is. There's a time fee in
there. That probably is 1 of the best across the country. I
would say.
Our our our tow trucks are identifiable.
And we're not going to create.
Any kind of Chaos?
Or interfere with the investigation that's going on.
We're not fighting for that toe.
They're sitting to the side.
They're waiting to be brought in.
They're going to clean up before they leave.
They're going to put that to that bumper on the on the
side, but they're going to get the small debris off of the
street.
Again, we know we can do better.
And that's where I'm going to turn it over to deputy chief.
uh, because that relationship comes with as I haven't cop
Paul he said
He he laid out the rules the rules are there.
We follow the rules and now it just comes with.
controlling that scene
of that
tense situation that does get tense. We ran into a
situation the other day where it gets tense. Um, so
for us to focus that we're worried about this victim in
here that they're not going to get hit with a ten thousand
dollar recoup fine. So I'll turn over to deputy chief sure.
Uh,
Thank you, sir. So.
We were very well with uh streets and sand with the bacp.
We um, all of our bureaus, um have the varying roles with
everyone. That's at disabled and we are aware.
uh of this issue, uh it mostly
Falls to the districts because they're the ones that are
responding.
to these accidents and we have um increased our
awareness, we've increased our training and we have um
You know, uh through uh, AMC the messages through roll call
briefings of the absolute importance of this issue, um,
when uh, when we can when we order the toe through the OMC
and like we know that the streets and sand are a vendor is
going to come. Um, we try to stay on scene to ensure like
that that happens um, or if uh, the owner or agent is going
to order something through the through their insurance
company, you know, then obviously we try to get any sort of
identifying in information.
for the company, you know, like as we can like assuming um
that they're not severely injured and on the way to the
hospital or something but we uh recognized this problem we
have. Um, we are working
uh
to address the tow trucks themselves. So, um, we know that
they're out there we have mitigated their responses. We
have um, encrypted are the radio zones since March of 2023.
So there's a late delay where the can like listen in to our
um,
to our dispatch, but we know that cfd um that they do have
scanners for the fire department and that can uh, like once
they hear that airbag deployed or they want to hear like
that crash then they can like respond off of a cfd scanner.
And then also they have their you know, their internal
Communications and apps and you know out there just drive
around like chasing them as well. But we um always try to
raise the awareness of the tow trucks like themselves.
They're highly
Regulated they're like required to have like certain things
on them, you know, uh brooms the sand buckets, like
whatever they can. Um, and um, you know, if we've
identified any sort of Rogue actors, you know, we do try to
take enforcement action on them, um, in addition, uh, our I
drove detectives the Chicago major auto theft
investigations group, they are aware of this issue and they
go out and they um when they can they set up um, and they
try to listen for accidents and they try to
Set up an observe any of these Rogue agents that are showing
up and they can try to take enforcement action then as
well. Um that's been so what successful where um, when
these road tow trucks do show up and we are um able to take
enforcement action on them. We can impound those tow
trucks. Um, and that's you know, obviously that's a big
like deterrent. So, um, if that's something that we try to
do for all accidents is, you know, um, let them know the
the ability of the ordinance for us to um, allow those
impacts. Um,
In addition our vice control section works very well with
bacp and the licensing end. Um, they both for the the tow
truck companies and the Lots. Um, they work hand in hand,
you know with other city and state agencies that um, you
know, it's a very good relationship and they do the very
good work on the licensing end of it as well. So, um, I
think with the continuing to the efforts, I think that
Awareness both within our department and like with the
public um is the first step training for our officers and
then just to continue enforcement. Um, and uh, I think that
we can
address this issue.
Alderman vas if I may add to uh
Um Liberty of Conor. So every week we have a uh Road Towing
task force. It's a partnership between bacp the Illinois
Commerce Commission and Chicago Police, uh, specifically
the vice division. So we're out there every weekend every
week actually, um, trying to hunt down this uh road towards
um, in addition to that. I just want to say that consumer
awareness is extremely important we can think about ways to
regulate this and to attack this Roto in problem, but if
the consumer doesn't know how to react when they're out in
the middle of an accident broken down with a disabled
vehicle and a busy intersection, uh, they're going to
react, you know out of fear somebody's going to approach
them and they're going to give that car up so maybe
partnering with your offices, uh other manic offices to
send a message out there. We tried during the uh, creation
and passing of this ordinance, but I think it's important
that every now and then we remind the consumers how to
react when they are in a position like this 1
Thank you ottoman Curtis.
Yeah, this is very uh important. I I I feel um, and I I
wanted to ask, uh, Ivan if he could actually hold up the
sticker, uh, and that that's a sticker that
every licensed tow truck in the city of Chicago should have
um
And and and I I thank you for saying that that uh if we get
a flyer.
Uh created to let the general public know like, uh
commissioner Cole said that these are 10 situations right
at that moment. Most of uh, the general public feels that
that uh
All they know that their car is being told and and they're
going to blame it on the city.
That's that's that's that's that's it. But what they don't
understand that some of the tow trucks that out there even
though they may be at the scene. Uh, they're not really uh,
a tow truck that was even called by uh the police
department or
Um or or themselves or or themselves, so I think it's
important that we educate people.
Somehow through our offices through caps.
caps is very important also, uh to get this message out
because we never know uh, when something is going to happen
and the general public actually doesn't know what to do.
All they want to do is make sure that their car is told and
it's told in a in a safe place. But again, we always find
ourselves calling the commissioner and and and trying to
find where our constituents cars are when they don't have
it. It's lost in Twilight Zone somewhere. Uh, so
What I do want to know uh from deputy chief.
uh
is it a situation or or ordinance that we could put
together to say and and I do know that that we that that
the Bad actors could be fine. But can we also and it's a
it's a bad time to do it at that tense moment during the
accident, right?
Because then 1 situation will lead to to another.
But can we also impound those tow trucks at that time?
So, uh if tow truck shows up at the scene and they are
unsolicited, uh, according to the current ordinance we can
impounded. Yes. Okay, great because they'll know.
Because they won't have the sticker on on the windshield.
Right. So, um
that that that that's great. That's great. So, um, yeah if
we could get some type of flat together and we get it out
to our constituents and we share it at at caps meetings and
things like that and really get the general public to know
and understand uh, what happens when they actually get into
an accident. Uh, this this will be great. Yeah. Thank you.
Thank you Alderman, uh alderwoman Gutierrez. Did you have a
question?
Same thing just uh an advice. How can we collaborate with
CPD? Um on checking because of course someone that has an
accident at that time with the stress if they're injured
they're not going to be able to go and check the sticker
right and see if it's a good tow truck or not.
So just um if CPD could help um identify that there are
good tow trucks but also as my colleague just said, how can
we also in our offices help out spread this information
because it's something new that I just learned today which
many of us maybe we we've never been thanked God in in a
position like that for us to know that information. So it's
important for us to um Outreach with our community.
Uh about it, so they're aware of it.
So does the sticker they need to renew it every now and
then does they change the the the year? Yeah. It's a 2 year
license a 2 year license. Okay, so then they also need to
check not only the sticker but it's also that it's accurate
right with with the the year. The important thing is to
know is it's it's a to the truck is licensed and the lot is
sliced. So it's 2 licenses 2 licenses. Is it 2 stickers
that the tow truck? No tow truck 1 license and then you'll
have to have all the documentation and the license for the
for your lot in order for you to get the sticker. You have
to get the other 1 approved. Yeah, you have to apply for
both and then there's a background check which is very
important in this field.
So make sure that there's no criminal back, uh Flags.
for the applicant
Thank you. Yeah Alderman Curtis on a point of information.
So I will we'll we'll will will these stickers?
Be like, uh our city of Chicago or the state.
license plate stickers where
Let's say uh, are we looking for is that green sticker
right now, but when they expire will that sticker change
colors?
Very good. Uh, uh
Question a couple of things so it's not only this sticker.
It's also the ICC registration number the that's supposed
to be on the doors are the easily identifiable and a
question about the code the color coding.
I'll we don't okay. No, it's not changing.
It's a that's that's a good flag. I appreciate that great
play because if someone show up and the police officer
writing the report dealing with 1 situation and he sees
that sticker in the in the in the window of a tow truck.
That sticker may be expired from 4 years ago. Yes. Thank
you. Alright and to be and to be licensed by the city of
Chicago you have to have that Illinois Commerce Commission
registration as a safety re relocator. You cannot get 1
without the other
if I met chairman
what we're trying to establish here though is to say to
everybody we had this is a as we all echoed it, but we know
this is a bad situation people are worried that they got
their stuff in that car.
They're worried about just getting their car. They think
it's their responsibility to move the car off the street so
that it's just a high-pressure situation that we don't want
people to feel where they're most vulnerable. We don't want
to add to that vulnerability. Exactly. So what we're saying
is we have the tow trucks to handle that situation through
our vendor. We will get there in a timely manner.
It's we need to continue as deputy chief.
is talked about
Just getting that message out. There. Are those situations
where the Rogue vendor will go.
He'll hear the conversation or she'll hear the conversation
of oh, they have State Farm Insurance. Hey, did you call
your insurance company? Hey State Farm sent me out here. So
there are creative folks out there in the industry.
And so the policeman will be in that type situation. Oh
it's for oh they sent to or whatever company they may have
they're just listening to that conversation go on and
playing that whole situation. So what we're saying is you
see our vehicle pulls up. It's a placard. That's this big
on the side of the vehicle. It has its sticker it there's
no question. Okay, that's a contractor for the city of
Chicago.
and know that
every insurance company will be happy to hear that the city
of Chicago told that car from that accident scene.
Absolutely versus anybody versus anybody.
Okay, because everything we're we're restricted to follow
all these rules.
We're not trying to Buck the system through this process. So
So if we can get people into the habit of the police the
people to see that placket when that pulls up.
That's the car that's good because again how good of a
decision can you make when you're worried about your child
you're worried about your family member in that car that
may be injured last thing you're worried about is if you're
going to get ripped off in 2 days when you go to try to
pick up that car because you got to get your personal
property out of that vehicle. So we're we're fully
committed to doing anything we can to stop this nonsense
that's going on and know that you have our full support and
we're going to continue to work with the police.
Alderman's pisado followed by Alderman and I happen to
work. Thank you chairman. So speaking of getting ripped off
commissioner. Uh, I guess this question is for bacp. And if
you don't have it, it's it's fine. You can get it to us
through the chair. It's a 3-part question 1. Is there a
maximum that they could charge for the toe 2 is there a
maximum that they could charge for daily storage and 3 is
there a maximum that they could charge for total storage?
I have a question about the first 1 and the fine for
operating without a license that is that what you mean? No,
I'm saying if they chose you and you have to pay the tow
company. Is there 1 a maximum they could charge you for the
toe 2 a maximum. They could charge for daily storage and 3
a maximum. They could charge for total storage.
I'm going to filibuster and a Lincoln Towing. I'm gonna
build a buster water discussing. I'll get back to you
through the possible. Okay, that's all I'm sure you can get
people to testify that said they got charged 5,000. They
got charged 7,000. They got charged 10,000. Yep. What we're
saying is
V doesn't change its 150 for the toe
It's twenty 5 dollars a day with a thousand dollar maximum.
Okay.
So that's and I'm telling you right now. Those are 150 for
the day 150 for the toe 25. If you look at these Rogue
companies, I'm sure I can line people up around City Hall.
That would say that those fees.
Were noting that they were charged when it comes to a rogue
toe company. We have seen complaints about people
complaining about getting charged $30,000 for for storage
fees. So I heard that much but yeah, right, that's it.
Thank you. Thank you for all the women in the hopping North
Thank you Sharon. Thanks for bringing this issue up.
Um sure vagus. I had a a question. This is not happened to
me before but this is
Really horrible if it does happen to you very traumatic
after trauma. Um, uh, so when an accident happens
The city sends a tow truck automatically. Is that what
happens after is that right Officer?
So CPD calls somebody will call it in anybody will call it
in will get to know notification. We're over at oemc. We
have dispatchers 24 hours a day 7 days a week that answer
those calls and we'll dispatch those calls and how long
does it typically take? I'm sorry. How long does that
typically typically take for a tow truck to come within 45
minutes. Oh wow.
Do all of the trucks look the same.
No, they do not know but they do have that identifiable
marker on the side. So it's a placard on the it's a metal
placard on the side that says.
City of Chicago, but there's certain words in there that's
identified with the city logo that there's really no
mystery there. Um, you you'll know that that's that's 1
that's we're
we're 1 of the ones that are going to charge you to 150 the
25 a day in the uh thousand Max
Okay, and then there are you said that there are 2 places
that the cards can go? Yes.
13 Dodie and then Sacramento
Okay, and then the that information is given by the driver
to we have to we have a half hour.
We have a half hour.
We have 30 minutes to get that information into the system.
So if a family member is calling and saying Hey, where's
the where's the vehicle? We can say it's either at 1 of the
2 places.
so the Rogue trucks
Is it that they come faster than we do or how they're
scouting? They're out there.
They're listening. They're listening as people have
mentioned. They're listening to scanners. They're listening
to fire scanner. They're listening to the fire department
scanners. They're listening to the scanner. And then the
the fire department scanners are not on delay that I can't
answer that.
Uh, I don't believe they are but again, uh, I don't speak
for fire.
So they hear it.
And then they're out there and then they just listen to the
conversation. They'll Park their vehicle and listen to the
conversation.
See what the deal is.
Listen to people talking through this tragic situation.
and take advantage of
people that are in Dire Straits at that point. I don't care
if it's a fender bender you're shaking up.
You're you're shook up from a fender bender to.
serious situations out there, and we've seen them all and
so
when all the men vagus talked about this
We he's been doing this for over 30 years.
Couldn't have been more excited. When he Inspector General
came to us and said hey, we're going to audit you.
Come on, let's go. We're we're all for it because any way
we can get better. Yeah, we're going to take advantage of
that situation.
and then you said that you
have to be licensed as a driver and you also have to be
licensed at the location where you towed to I'm going to
give that to Ivan Kappa bacp. That's correct Alderman, how
are you? Um, yes, you need 2 licenses. You need a license
for every truck that you operate and a license for a lot
that you're using to store the vehicles. Okay. And then are
we doing an audit of all of those different places where
these Rogue drivers can send the cars to do we know do we
have a map of all those places that are not licensed?
It's a it's a complaint based approach all the mess. If we
get a complaint about a location, then we'll go. We don't
we don't proactively go to this locations only if there's a
complaint.
And I can correct me if I'm wrong. We have gone.
As a team with the police bacp.
State county and we've yeah scooped up quite a few cars.
That's correct and a few instances as we've recovered.
Over 200 cars 300 3 300 cars in locations that are remote,
uh, hidden.
Um locations that cars that have been already paid by the
insurance as uh loss or or stolen and we've we've recovered
them.
with the help of CPD and streets
are there other?
People that should be here to speak on, you know,
identifying these places that are not licensed.
You know, I don't I don't know if we have the capacity to
find all those places and shut them down because right that
would be helpful.
As I mentioned a Bad actors will take that license and they
get caught turn it over to somebody else those Rogue
companies that are taking these cars where
Again bacp, we work very closely. I I recall it's been 2 2
and probably the last year year and a half where we scooped
a lot of cars. Um, it was newsworthy and victims were able
to retrieve their property based on.
People bringing this up again. Um, we've done good things
with this to where
When people become or carjacked we didn't want them to be
victims despite. So we turn their we give them their car
back, uh with no no fees now. That's the obvious. That's
the obvious. That's what you should do. But those are
things that this this group is put together forth that have
made things better for people.
And you said that there's already an investigation with the
oig it's not an investigation. It's an audit. It's an
audit. It's an audit. Yeah, so that's a that's different.
It's different an audit an audit is different than the
investigation. Can you speak more on that? Yeah, no the
audit. Um, for example we've been audited for
weed cutting, um, we've been audited for the way we do tree
trimming, you know, something positive came out of that,
you know, we
Trimmed 100,000 trees in the last year versus 35,000. So
these are all things that we've learned through the audit.
Um, so I always welcome.
The Inspector General in regards to the auditing that their
team does because it gives just because he's been doing it
for 35 years doesn't mean he's been doing it right for 35
years on all aspects of the job. So if there's things that
we can do to get better. We always welcome those. Yeah
because this is an equity issue, right? I mean 1 1 uh day
without a car that's that's incredibly hard on on somebody
who realized on that transportation to get to and from work
or pick up their kids or just even grocery shopping. So, um
anything that we can do to help with this, um, let me know.
Thank you chair. Yeah. Thank you honor woman, uh chair has
been informed that we do have uh, several witnesses
representing the insurance industry that are here, uh would
like to call on Margie Coleman from the National Insurance
crime Bureau to testify Audrey. Could you pass a handheld
mic to miss Coleman?
Thank you. Good afternoon. My name is Margie Coleman. I'm a
special agent. Oh, wait that 1 is not working.
Um a special agent with in the Midwest region here with the
National Insurance crime Bureau. Um, we act as a liaison
between law enforcement and the insurance companies which
we call Our member companies. And so I just briefly would
like to share a sample of what I see from our member
companies regarding predatory Towing.
So in 2024, I have seen Towing and storage fees that range
from dollars up to 14,000 for passenger vehicles. Um, these
Toe Companies also just demand cash payments for the
vehicle if the insured can find the vehicle. Um, they don't
necessarily
toe have the tow yards in the city of Chicago. They're
starting to go outside the limits because of the great work
bacp is doing with the other agencies.
um to give you an idea with Just 2 companies specifically
to tow companies that I received many complaints on they
have charged this year so far 78,000 and 766 thousand
dollars each.
So that is just what is reported to me from our member
companies. This number is is probably much larger last year
with those same 2 companies. They charged 454,000 and
3303030 again just complaints that we see in inflated toes
predatory Towing Towing without um a pre toe disclosure not
signing the correct paperwork or leaving it blank then
filling in the numbers later. Um, so what our member
companies end up doing is they may pay the full amount.
They'll try to negotiate the fees or they may just abandon
the vehicle altogether and just leave it at the Toy Yard.
Thank you for your time.
Yeah, thank you Mr. Coleman. Uh, I'd also like to uh call
upon Craig sepich, uh from the National Insurance crime
Bureau, uh to see if there's any specific policy
recommendations, uh, that would be indicated for the city
council going forward as we consider, uh a new ordinance to
address this problem.
And thank you. Good afternoon. My name's Craig sitch
director of strategy policy and government affairs with the
National Insurance crime Bureau.
Thank you for the opportunity to discuss Rogue Towing and
how it to rotation program can combat this problem and
protect consumers.
Nicb is the nation. It's a national nonprofit organization
supported by approximately 1,200 Property and Casualty
Insurance companies working together with our member
companies and law enforcement.
We help detect prevent and deter Insurance crimes.
traffic crashes
caused a significant strain on victims in addition to
dealing with the serious injuries that may result victims
also must report to law enforcement and file insurance
claims these high stress situations create the perfect
opportunity for unscrupulous towing companies to exploit
accident victims some Towers take advantage of the
confusion at the scene. Even after the fact by falsely
claiming the tower was dispatched by an insurance company
or police.
Due to the incredibly competitive nature of the towing
industry tours often listen to police scanners or use
spotters to race to be the first truck at the scene TOS are
racing to be first involved dangerous high-speed driving
disobeying traffic control devices in Chicago. We have seen
this played out numerous times with tragic consequences.
To protect consumers and Combat Rogue Towing cities across
the country and in Illinois have established our rotation
programs in Illinois. This is mandated by state law which
includes the city of Chicago.
If you made your cities with toe rotation programs include
New York Dallas Houston, Memphis and Philadelphia,
Philadelphia, Philadelphia established their program in
2018 in response to a similar Rogue Towing crisis.
Philadelphia rotation program is administered by the police
department and the department of licenses and managed by a
third party qualified licensed toe company pay an annual
administrative fee to be on the program zones are
established to ensure a prompt response when tow trucks are
dispatched often in less than 20 minutes. This is done on a
rotating basis and ensures that towards are not racing to
accident scenes the third party vendor manages the program
with a mobile app to dispatch the pro the tow trucks which
is verified by law enforcement at the scene to ensure that
they were on the rotation list.
Protect consumers there's a towing consumer Bill of Rights
and establishment of Maximum fees the fees include a vendor
fee and an enforcement fee. That's paid to the city tow
truck drivers Andor companies found in violation may be
fined suspended or removed from the toe rotation program in
addition to any applicable penalties pertaining to their
professional license.
The Philadelphia rotation program is demonstrated proven
results that could serve as an effective model for Chicago
in addition to maintaining Public Safety and protecting
consumers. The side benefit could be the creation of a new
Revenue stream for the city. The establishment of a to
rotation program is imperative to protect consumers and to
keep our city streets safe from Rogue Towers.
Thank you for the opportunity to be here today to discuss
this with you and happy to answer any questions.
Thank you, Mr. SE any questions or Mr. Savage?
Uh, well, I appreciate that. Clearly. We have some work to
do ladies and gentlemen the committee. Uh, this is an
obvious problem that seeks a solution and when it was first
brought to my attention, uh, I didn't fully appreciate the
complexity of it. Um, we may at some point need to involve
our partners in the general assembly as well. Uh, this may
require further action in Springfield. Um, but we have some
work to do. So, I appreciate your participation today. I
want to thank alderman viegas for bringing it to our
attention, uh, and the representatives of city government
that were here that will be our partners as we go forward,
uh in working on this draft ordinance. That is so clearly
needed.
Uh to to save people from these predatory acts that are
costing them significant sums of money at a time when
they're unfortunately vulnerable and taking advantage of
so, thank you everyone for your testimony today for your
participation. Uh, was that a motion to adjourn or did you
have another question?
1 more question. All right, I forgot to add since um
reading uh the be resolved, um where it says stronger
enforcement processes. Does that mean tickets are going to
go higher or or what's going to be the so right now if um
CPD encounters 1 of these Bad actors, what's a process do
they give them a ticket? Do they?
um if they can walk us through it, and also what's going to
be that if we're going to have a stronger enforcement
processes. So that means what are we doing?
Yeah, clearly, that's the direction. We need to go. It
isn't that we uh don't have laws on the books to work
against its that clearly they're inadequate to deal with
the scope and breadth of the problem. Um, but if uh, deputy
chief, okay, do you want to I know you touched on it
previously. Do you want to go over what the current
practice is when a patrol officer in the district
encounters a clearly illegal Rogue operator. What do we do
in those instances? Thank you.
Sure, I'm gonna first kick a dive in and then I'll be happy
to answer. I I'll I'll talk about uh citations and system.
This is so uh when we come across 1 of these. Um,
Operators we issue citations. The fines are up to a
thousand dollars per fence.
That includes operating without a license and the such. Uh,
we also investigate the consumer.
Uh fraud aspect of the complaints. So if we get a call from
a a a citizen that is claiming that a vehicle was taken
from them. Uh, and now they're facing this High, uh, you
know charges we work with our Consumer Fraud team to try to
detangle all of that, um issue citations and hopefully get
restitution order by the department of administrative, uh
hearing
Um, then CPD, of course, they are in charge of those. So in
addition to this to the citations, we issue see some
disease so that truck cannot be operating that company
cannot be operating with without the proper licenses. Then
the empowerment part is uh issued by CP
Sure, so the city ordinance mirrors the state statute like
on this so um under the city ordinance we can impound that
tow truck if it's in violation and under the state statute.
Um, they may be guilty of up to a class 4 felony and the
driver's license can be suspended for 3 months. So there's
a criminal. Um,
liability that attaches to it
Thank you.
No further questions. Thank you. Thank you with that.
alderwoman Gutierrez moves adoption of the substitute
resolution by the attendance roll call without objection.
So ordered Alderman Gutierrez further moves that we stand
in adjournment hearing no objection. So ordered meeting
adjourned. Thank you for your participation.