[Ord. No. 1977-118]
No person shall directly or indirectly permit any vehicle owned by such person to be used in any manner so as to violate any of the parking provisions of this chapter; that is, all such owners shall be responsible for their vehicles while the same are parked anywhere within the City of Bloomington and each such owner shall be deemed to have permitted, allowed and consented to the acts of any person lawfully in possession of his or her motor vehicle while the same is located within the City of Bloomington. No guilty intention on the part of the owner nor on the part of the driver or person in possession of any vehicle is necessary to establish the responsibility of the owner for acts hereunder of any person lawfully in possession of his or her motor vehicle, and the owner of every motor vehicle in the City of Bloomington must, at his peril, see to it that the rules and regulations hereunder are not violated by his acts or by the acts of another using his vehicle. By having the use of the streets and of the municipal parking system of the City of Bloomington, all owners of motor vehicles consent to pay and accept responsibility for the payment of any fines for any parking violations involving their vehicles and for any towing, storage and other charges related thereto.
[Ord. No. 1985-62]
The specifically prohibited parking areas from which motor vehicles may be towed shall be posted by the City with a notice at or near the sign identifying the prohibited parking, to wit: "TOW-AWAY ZONE" or with a reasonable notice which conveys substantially similar information. No person shall directly or indirectly (§ 29-2201) park or permit a vehicle owned by him/her to be parked in the City of Bloomington in violation of any such prohibited parking. All members of the City's Police Department are hereby granted authority to authorize the towing removal and storage by any City employee or by any person or persons or corporation with which the City has a towing and/or storage agreement of any vehicle found parked in violation thereof and such vehicles shall be towed from these areas and stored.
A. 
At the times herein specified and when signs are erected giving notice of the illegal parking and of the towing zone, no person shall directly or indirectly (§ 29-2201) park or permit a vehicle owned by him/her to be parked at the locations on the streets hereinafter described and any vehicle so parked may be towed from these locations as provided in this article:
[Ord. No. 2012-56]
Location
Alley (north-south) bounded by East, Locust, Prairie and Mulberry, on the west side from Locust to a point 110 feet south between 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Beecher on the north side from Franklin to Main
Beecher on the south side from 50 feet west of the west line of East to 40 feet east of the east line of East
Beecher on the south side from 65 feet west of the west line of Franklin to 20 feet east of the east line of Franklin
Beecher on the south side from the east line of Main to a point 20 feet east
Center Street, on the west side, from 45 feet to 85 feet north of the north line of Kentucky Alley between 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Center Street, on the east side, from 39 feet south to 112 feet south of the south line of Olive Street between 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Center Street on the east side from 105 feet to 125 feet north of the north line of Market Street between 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Chestnut Street, on the south side, from 50 feet to 90 feet west of the west line of Main Street
Chestnut Street, on the south side from 110 feet to 150 feet west of the west line of East Street
Chestnut Street, on the south side, from Mason Street to 130 feet east of the east line of Mason Street
Chestnut Street between Prairie and McLean on the north side 60 feet east and west from the midpoint of the crosswalk to Franklin Park near the center of the block
Douglas Street, on the north side, from 150 feet west to 173 feet west of the west line of Prairie Street between 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
East on the east side from the north line of Beecher to a point 20 feet north
East on the east side from the north line of Emerson to a point 53 feet north
East on the east side from 290 feet north of Emerson to 42 feet north of the south line of Kelsey
East on the east side from the south line of Emerson to a point 30 feet south
East on the east side from the north line of Graham to a point 20 feet north
East on the east side from 365 feet north of Kelsey to north corporate limits
East on the west side from Division to a point 38 feet south
East on the west side from Emerson to Beecher
East on the west side from the south line of Graham to a point 20 feet south
Emerson on the north side from 250 feet west of the west line of Fell to Franklin
Franklin on both sides from the north line of vacated Kelsey to a point 30 feet north
Franklin on both sides from the south line of vacated Division to a point 30 feet south
Franklin Avenue, on the east side from Beecher to a point 20 feet north
Franklin Avenue, on the west side from the Crosswalk north of Emerson to a point 20 feet south
Front Street, on the north side, from 31 feet to 68 feet east of the east line of East Street between 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Front Street, on the north side, from 20 feet west to 107 feet west of the west line of East Street between 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Front Street, on the north side, from 43 feet east to 80 feet east of the east line of Madison Street between 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Front, on both sides from Lee to Mason. Vehicles displaying permits issued pursuant to § 29-2204 of this chapter are exempt from towing.
Front Street, 300 block west, south side, on dates when vehicles for hire may legally operate as provided in Section 1002 of Chapter 40 of the Bloomington City Code, commencing at 10:00 p.m. and ending at 3:00 a.m.
Gill on the south side from turn around area west of Airport Road to Airport Road
Graham on the south side from 30 feet west of the west line of East to 20 feet east of the east line of East
Graham on the south side from the east line of Main to a point 20 feet east
Grove Street, on the south side, from 20 feet to 40 feet east of the east line of East Street
Grove, on the south side from Lee to Mason. Vehicles displaying permits issued pursuant to § 29-2204 of this chapter are exempt from towing.
IWU Area - See Exhibit "D"
Jackson Street, on the south side, from 20 feet to 120 feet west of the west line of Mason Street between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Jefferson Street, on the north side, from 51 feet west to 98 feet west of the west line of Center Street
Jefferson Street, on the south side, from 20 feet to 170 feet west of the west line of Evans Street
Jefferson Street, on the south side from 30 feet to 52 feet east of the east line of Main Street between 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Jefferson Street, on the south side, from 45 feet west to 64 feet west of the west line of East Street between 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Lee, on the west side, from Front to Grove in the south half of the block. Vehicles displaying permits issued pursuant to § 29-2204 of this chapter are exempt from towing.
Lee Street, 500 block between Market and Mulberry, east and west side, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except for the east side of Lee Street from Mulberry Street to a point 80 feet south between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. which continues to have a 2-hour time limit. Vehicles displaying permits issued pursuant to § 29-2204 of this chapter are exempt from towing.
Lee on the east side from Mulberry to a point 36 feet south
Lee on the west side from Mulberry to a point 36 feet south
Lee on the west side from Mulberry to a point 36 feet north
Lee on the east side from Mulberry to a point 54 feet north
Livingston Street, on the west side, from 20 feet to 120 feet north of the north line of Walnut Street
MacArthur Street, on the north side, from 170 feet to 205 feet west of the west line of Bunn Street
Madison Street, on the west side, from 250 feet to 310 feet north of the north line of Wood Street
Madison Street, on the west side, from MacArthur Avenue to 130 feet south of the south line of MacArthur Avenue between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Main Street, on the east side, from 20 feet north to 68 feet north of the north line of Chestnut Street
Main Street on the east side from 40 feet south of the south line of Graham to 42 feet north of the north line of Graham
Main, on the east, from 30 feet south to 68 feet south of the south line of West Mulberry extended east to the east line of Main Street between 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Main on the east side, from 50 feet south to 98 feet south of the south line of Market between 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Main on the east side, from 35 feet to 80 feet south of the south line of Union
Main Street, 500 block north, on the east side, the seven regular parking spaces North of the parking space for persons with disabilities and the two "freight loading" spaces north of those seven spaces on dates when vehicles for hire may legally operate as provided in Section 1002 of Chapter 40 of the Bloomington City Code, commencing at 10:00 p.m. and ending at 3:00 a.m.
Market, on the north side, from 30 feet to 50 feet east of the east line of Center
Market, on the north side, from 69 feet west to 92 feet west of the west line of East between 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Market, on the north side, from 65 feet to 85 feet west of the west line of East
Mason, on the west side, from 75 feet to 155 feet south of the south line of Chestnut between 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Mason, on both sides, from Front to Grove. Vehicles displaying permits issued pursuant to § 29-2204 of this chapter are exempt from towing.
Mason, in the cul-de-sac south of Division
Monroe, on the north side, from 30 feet east to 50 feet east of the east line of Main between 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Monroe, on the south side, from 75 feet east to 94 feet east of the east line of Main between 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Monroe, on the north side, from 30 feet east to 48 feet east of the east line of Center between 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Oak Street, on both sides, from Stewart to Bissell between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
[Added 7-8-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-51]
Olive, on the south side, from 88 feet to 158 feet west of the west line of Prairie Parking Lot on southeast corner of Hinshaw at Market between 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.
Prairie, on the west side, from 30 feet to 80 feet north of the north line of Grove in the parkway
Roosevelt, on the west side from 100 feet to 200 feet north of the north line of Walnut
Roosevelt, on the east side, from Locust to a point 175 feet north between 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Roosevelt on the west side from Grove to a point 110 feet south from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. seven days a week. Vehicles displaying permits issued pursuant to § 29-2204 of this chapter are exempt from towing.
Sale Barn - Main to Timberlake
State, on the east side, from Washington to a point 200 feet south
Truckers Lane, on both sides, Market to the north end
Valley View on both sides, from Wylie to west end
Washington on the south side from 20 feet to 45 feet east of the east line of Allin between 11:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
Washington, on the north side, from 20 feet to 61 feet west of the west line of Madison, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Washington, on the east side, from 20 feet to 64 feet west of the west line of Mason, between 8:00 a.m. and Noon and 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Washington, on the south side, from 30 feet west to 77 feet west of the west line of Madison between 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Washington Street, 100 block west, on the south side, on dates when vehicles for hire may legally operate as provided in Section 1002 of Chapter 40 of the Bloomington City Code, commencing at 10:00 p.m. and ending at 3:00 a.m.
Wood, on the south side, from 110 feet to 190 feet west of the west line of Gridley
Woodhill Towers as indicated in Exhibit A
B. 
When necessary to accommodate special events on City streets, the City Traffic Engineer and the Chief of Police may designate certain portions of any street as a tow-away zone. Any vehicles parked on a portion of a street so designated may be towed away, with the cost of towing and storage to be paid by the owner, provided that signs designating the area as a tow-away zone are posted at least 24 hours prior to the date and time the tow-away zone designation is to take effect.
[Ord. No. 1987-134]
A. 
A maximum of two parking permits will be issued to each address annually.
[Ord. No. 2017-62]
B. 
A parking permit may be obtained upon proof of the following:
(1) 
Current address; and
(2) 
Valid driver's license or State ID with current address.
C. 
Parking permits are not transferable.
D. 
A $25 replacement fee will be charged for any lost, stolen, or misplaced parking permits.
E. 
When renewing the parking permits, the old permit must be turned in before a new permit will be issued.
[Ord. No. 2017-62]
F. 
Misuse of parking permits, or willfully providing false information to the City to obtain parking permits shall be punished by a minimum fine of $50 and a maximum fine of $500.
G. 
Any vehicle towed for violating this section shall pay $50 release fee to the City of Bloomington Police Department upon proof of ownership or proof of the right to possession of the vehicle.
[Ord. No. 2003-90]
H. 
Parking permits will be issued only for passenger cars as defined by 625 ILCS 5/1-157.
[Ord. No. 2004-8]
I. 
Parking permits must be prominently displayed from the rear view mirror.
[Ord. No. 2017-62]
A. 
All members of the City's Police Department are hereby granted authority to authorize the towing removal and storage to a private garage or exterior place of safety:
(1) 
Any vehicle left for a period of 24 hours in any on-street or off-street public parking location or in any location in a lot or facility maintained or owned by the City;
(2) 
Any motor vehicle or trailer parked in any on-street or off-street public parking location or in any location in a lot or facility maintained or owned by the City that lacks current, legal registration; or
(3) 
Any motor vehicle or trailer parked in any on-street or off-street public parking location or in any location in a lot or facility maintained or owned by the City that is registered as an antique vehicle pursuant to 625 ILCS 5/3-804.
[Ord. No. 2008-77]
B. 
Vehicles may be towed by any City employee or by any person or persons or corporation with which the City has a towing and/or storage agreement, provided that a written notice of the pending towing has been placed on the motor vehicle not less than 24 hours in advance of the towing removal and storage.
[Ord. No. 2008-77]
C. 
Any motor vehicle or trailer for which a notice of tow is issued for the reasons stated in Subsection A(2) or (3) will be towed regardless of whether the vehicle has been moved from its original location as long as the reason for the tow still exists. Any such vehicle or trailer found in any on-street or off-street public parking location 24 hours after notice has been placed on the vehicle will be towed without additional notice.
[Ord. No. 2008-77]
A. 
On any property in residential use or on any property zoned for residential use, all motor vehicles and trailers that lack current, legal registration, uninspected motor vehicles or trailers and all inoperable motor vehicles and trailers must be parked in a garage or other fully enclosed structure meeting Code requirements. At no time shall any vehicle or trailer of any type undergo a disassembly of parts, commonly called stripping, or a major overhaul, including body work, on such property outside of a garage or other structure meeting Code requirements.
[Ord. No. 2008-77]
B. 
On any property within an R1-A, R1-B, R1-C, R-2 or GAP 1, 2, 3, or 4 zoning district there may be no more than four operable motor vehicles or trailers with current, legal registration and one camping or recreational vehicle parked outside of a garage or carport meeting Code requirements. All vehicles allowed to be parked on such property must be parked in a legal accessory off street parking space as provided in Chapter 44-7-2 of the Bloomington City Code.
[Ord. No. 2008-77]
C. 
On any property in business, commercial or industrial use or zoned for such use, any motor vehicles or trailers that lack current, legal registration must be parked in a garage or other structure meeting Code requirements unless the vehicle or trailer is able to be repaired to operate and is in the current process of being repaired at and by employee(s) or owner(s) of an automobile service business or an automobile new or used car dealer. At no time shall any vehicle of any type undergo a disassembly of parts, commonly called stripping or major overhaul, including body work, on such property outside of a garage or other structure meeting code requirements.
[Ord. No. 2008-77]
D. 
The City may apply to the court for an order giving it the authority to have any vehicle parked on private property in violation of Subsection A, B or C removed from such property and placed in storage at a private garage or exterior place of safety in addition to any other remedy provided for violations of this chapter 29.
[Ord. No. 2008-77]
E. 
It is illegal for the owner and/or occupant of the involved real property or the owner or user of the involved motor vehicle or trailer and/or the person entitled to possession of and/or the person doing work on the involved motor vehicle or trailer to fail to comply with the requirements of this section or to permit any of the prohibited activities contained in this section to occur.
[Ord. No. 1987-99]
A. 
All members of the Bloomington Police Department are hereby granted authority to authorize the towing removal and storage by any person or persons or corporation with which the City has a towing and/or storage agreement of any vehicle from a street or highway to the storage facility under any of the following circumstances:
[Ord. No. 2005-31]
(1) 
When any vehicle is left unattended upon any bridge, viaduct or causeway or in any tube or tunnel where such vehicle constitutes an obstruction to traffic.
[Ord. No. 2005-31]
(2) 
When a vehicle upon a street or highway is so disabled as to constitute an obstruction to traffic and the person or persons in charge of the vehicle are by reason of physical injury incapacitated to such an extent as to be unable to provide for its removal.
[Ord. No. 2005-31]
(3) 
When any vehicle is left unattended upon a street and is so parked illegally as to constitute a definite hazard or obstruction to the normal movement of traffic or is left unattended for over 24 hours.
[Ord. No. 2005-31]
(4) 
When any vehicle is a nuisance as defined by § 29-1105 of this chapter.
[Ord. No. 2005-31]
[Amended by Ord. No. 2014-59; Ord. No. 2014-107; 3-24-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-023]
A. 
Fee, seizure and impoundment. Vehicles used in the offenses listed in Section 11-208.7(b) of the Illinois Vehicle Code, 625 ILCS 5/11-208.7(b) or in any other misdemeanor or felony offense in violation of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012, or used in violation of Chapter 40 of the City Code are hereby declared contraband and subject to seizure and impoundment. The impoundment of any vehicle used in the commission of any of the foregoing offenses shall subject the owner to an administrative fee of $400 plus costs of towing and storage.
B. 
Removal and seizure.
(1) 
Whenever a police officer has probable cause to believe that a vehicle is subject to seizure and impoundment pursuant to this section, the police officer may cause the vehicle to be removed and relocated to a secure location. The officer shall inform any person in control of the vehicle of the seizure and the right to a prompt probable cause hearing and an administrative impoundment hearing as provided in this section.
(2) 
At the time the vehicle is towed, the officer shall notify or make a reasonable attempt to notify the owner, lessee, or person identifying himself or herself as the owner or lessee of the vehicle, or any person who is found to be in control of the vehicle at the time of the alleged offense, of the fact of the seizure and of the right of the vehicle owner or lessee to an administrative hearing. The police officer shall also provide notice that the motor vehicle will remain impounded pending the completion of an administrative hearing, unless the owner or lessee of the vehicle, or a lienholder, posts with the municipality a bond equal to the administrative fee as provided by this section and pays for all towing and storage charges.
C. 
Notice. The City will provide the registered owner or lessee of the vehicle and any lienholder of record with a notice of hearing. The notice shall:
(1) 
Be served upon the owner, lessee, and any lienholder of record either by personal service or by first class mail to the interested party's address as registered with the Secretary of State;
(2) 
Be served upon interested parties within 10 days after a vehicle is impounded by the City; and
(3) 
Contain the date, time, and location of the administrative hearing. An initial hearing shall be scheduled and convened no later than 45 days after the date of the mailing of the notice of hearing.
D. 
Prompt probable cause hearing. At any time prior to an administrative impoundment hearing, at the request of the owner of a vehicle or a person with authority from an owner, the Police Chief or his designee shall hold a prompt probable cause hearing. Said hearing shall occur within 24 hours of the request, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. At the hearing, any interested person shall be given a reasonable opportunity to be heard and present evidence. Formal rules of evidence shall not apply, and hearsay evidence shall be admissible. At the prompt probable cause hearing, the Police Chief or his designee shall determine whether probable cause exists for the seizure and impoundment of the vehicle pursuant to this section and, if asserted by the owner, whether the vehicle was stolen from the owner. If the Police Chief or his designee determines that probable cause exists for the continued impoundment of the vehicle, the Police Chief or his designee shall order the vehicle held pending an impoundment hearing or payment of the bond and any towing and storage fees due. If the Police Chief or his designee determines that probable cause for impoundment does not exist or that the vehicle was stolen from the owner, the Police Chief or his designee shall order the immediate release of the vehicle without payment of any penalties, fees or costs.
E. 
Administrative impoundment hearing. A hearing officer designated by the City Manager shall hold an administrative impoundment hearing within 45 days of the notice of impoundment hearing sent pursuant to Subsection C of this section. A person seeking the hearing may waive the foregoing time restraint. At the impoundment hearing, any interested person shall be given a reasonable opportunity to be heard. Formal rules of evidence shall not apply, and hearsay evidence shall be admissible. The impoundment hearing shall comply with the requirements set forth in Section 11-208.7 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, 625 ILCS 5/11-208.7. At the impoundment hearing, the hearing officer shall determine by a preponderance of the evidence whether the vehicle was used in violation of a listed offense or whether the vehicle was stolen from the owner. If the hearing officer determines that the vehicle was not utilized in violation of any offense listed in Section 11-208.7(b) of the Illinois Vehicle Code, 625 ILCS 5/11-208.7(b), or that the vehicle was stolen from the owner, the hearing officer shall order the immediate release of the vehicle without payment of any administrative fee and the expeditious return of any bond or fee already paid by the vehicle owner or his agent. Any bond or fee returned shall be to the person who paid the bond or fee, unless directed otherwise by that person. Any person claiming a vehicle ordered released under this subsection shall have seven days from the date of the order of release within which to claim the vehicle without accruing additional storage charges; thereafter, the person claiming the vehicle shall be responsible for paying any and all storage charges that accrue. If the hearing officer determines the vehicle was used in the commission of a listed offense, the hearing officer shall order the vehicle held pending payment of the fee and any towing and storage fees which may be due.
F. 
Innocent defendant.
(1) 
In the event that a person is acquitted of all charges stemming from the incident for which the vehicle was impounded or is not charged within six months for any offense stemming from the incident for which the vehicle was impounded, that person may apply to the Police Chief for a full refund of any bond or administrative fee paid to release the vehicle. A disposition of court supervision will be considered as a conviction and not an acquittal. Participation in a diversion program or similar program to avoid judicial consequences shall not be considered an acquittal for purposes of this section. A plea agreement which calls for the dismissal of the charge for which the vehicle was impounded in exchange for a guilty plea to any other charge shall not be considered an acquittal for purposes of this section.
(2) 
The Police Chief shall refund any bond or administrative fee paid, if an acquittal occurs or if charges are not likely to be brought within six months. Any fee or bond returned shall be to the person who paid the bond or fee, unless directed otherwise by that person. Any person claiming a vehicle ordered released under this subsection shall have seven days from the date of the order of release within which to claim the vehicle without accruing additional storage charges; thereafter, the person claiming the vehicle shall be responsible for paying any and all storage charges that accrue.
G. 
Release of vehicle. A vehicle seized and impounded under this section shall be released to the owner or the owner's agent upon payment of the bond or administrative fee and all towing and storage fees accrued. Payment of the bond or administrative fee and towing and storage fees does not waive an owner's right to an impoundment hearing.
H. 
Unclaimed vehicle. Any vehicle not claimed by its owner or other interested party within 35 days after the impoundment hearing shall be considered abandoned and sold pursuant to State law. An owner or interested party may claim his/her vehicle by paying the administrative fee, towing and storage fees any time prior to sale of the vehicle.
I. 
Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the holding, forfeiture or impoundment of any vehicle pursuant to any other law or statute.
A. 
To obtain a vehicle which has been towed pursuant to any provisions of the Bloomington City Code, the owner or the person having the right to possession of the vehicle must first obtain a Release from the Bloomington Police Department.
B. 
A Release may be obtained by showing proof of ownership or proof of the right to possession of the vehicle.
C. 
A Release Fee, in an amount set forth in the Schedule of Fees, must be paid plus any amounts which are required to be paid pursuant to Chapter 29, § 29-2208, Vehicle Seizure and Impoundment of the City Code.
D. 
Any vehicle owner who has a second vehicle towed for a violation of § 29-2207, Authority to Tow and Store Vehicles, whether the same vehicle or another vehicle owned by him or her, shall pay a release fee in an amount set forth in the Schedule of Fees, and proof of insurance must be provided.
E. 
Any vehicle owner who has a second vehicle towed for a violation of § 29-2205, Towing After Parking for 24 hours, whether the same vehicle or another vehicle owned by him or her, shall pay a release fee in an amount set forth in the Schedule of Fees, and proof of insurance must be provided.
F. 
After a person has obtained a Release, the person may take it to the storage facility during regular business hours and provide it to the owner or manager thereof to obtain the vehicle. After all costs of the towing removal and storage have been paid, unless they have already been paid at the Police Station, the vehicle may be obtained from the storage facility. All such removal and storage costs must be paid by the owner of the vehicle or the person having the right to possession of the vehicle and if they are not so paid within a reasonable time, they may be paid by the sale of the vehicle in accordance with existing law.
[Ord. No. 2018-89]
A. 
Whenever a Police Officer has authorized the removal of a vehicle from public or private property as authorized by any provision of the Bloomington City Code and the officer knows or is able to ascertain from the registration records of the vehicle the name and address of the owner thereof, such officer or another member of the Police Department shall as soon as practical give or cause to be given notice in writing by first class mail to the owner and lien holder and other legally entitled persons, if known, of the fact of such removal, the reasons therefor, and the place to which the vehicle has been removed.
[Ord. No. 1985-62]
B. 
Whenever an officer removes or causes the removal of a vehicle from public or private property pursuant to any provisions of the Bloomington City Code and does not know and is not able to ascertain the name of the owner or for any other reason is unable to give notice to the owner as hereinabove provided, and in the event the vehicle is not obtained from storage by the owner or by a person entitled to possession of it within a period of five days, then the officer shall promptly send or cause to be sent a written report of such removal by mail to the State Department whose duty it is to register motor vehicles and shall file a copy of such notice with the proprietor of any private garage or exterior place of safe storage where the vehicle may be stored. Such notice shall include a complete description of the vehicle, the date, time and place from which removed, the reasons for such removal, and the name of the garage or exterior place of storage where the vehicle is stored.
[Ord. No. 1985-62]
A. 
Notice to owner. Whenever it is determined that any motor vehicle has been involved in the issuance of five or more unpaid parking tickets as a result of parking violations identified on the tickets and such condition has existed for a period of 40 days after the issuance of the 5th unpaid ticket, any such vehicle shall be deemed to be a public nuisance. The City Manager or his or her designee shall cause to be served, by personal service or service by certified mail to the last known address, upon the owner of record of said motor vehicle a notice describing the violations stating that said vehicle will be subject to being picked up, towed, stored and possibly sold at a later date by an authorized agent of the City of Bloomington all at the expense of the owner whenever it is found on any public street, public parking lot, or other public right-of-way if said unpaid tickets are not paid or otherwise disposed of with the City by the owner or the owner's agent within 10 days after the date of the service of said notice. The notice may be served by any member of the Bloomington Police Department or in any other manner provided by law.
[Ord. No. 2011-12; amended 9-23-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-077]
B. 
Meeting with owner. The vehicle owner may obtain a review of the unpaid tickets by requesting in writing a meeting with the City Manager or his or her designee, which meeting shall be scheduled at the City Hall as soon as possible, at a time mutually convenient for the parties, but not more than 20 days from the date of service of the above-described notice. The City Manager at such meeting shall have full authority to make binding agreements relating to the amounts due, if any, and may agree to any payment terms which he determines are in the best interests of the City.
[Ord. No. 2011-12]
C. 
Impoundment. If the vehicle owner:
(1) 
Fails to give written notice requesting a meeting with the City Manager or his or her designee; or
(2) 
Does not appear at such meeting and does not ask, in writing, for a short delay of the meeting date because of unanticipated personal problems; or
(3) 
Cannot agree with the City Manager or his or her designee on the amount due or arrange an acceptable method of payment; or
(4) 
Having so agreed on a method of payment, fails to make any payment when due; or
(5) 
Has not instituted legal action to have his responsibilities and rights with respect to said tickets judicially determined, then the City Manager or his or her designee shall make a written finding of such facts. Thereafter, whenever such vehicle is found parked and unattended on a public right-of-way in the City of Bloomington, it shall be subject to being immediately towed and stored. Bloomington Police authorities shall have the power and are hereby authorized to remove or have the vehicle removed by either private or government equipment to a City or private storage facility as may be deemed advisable. The towing and storage of the vehicle shall not be delayed or prohibited by the fact that a friend, relative, lessee, agent or employee of the owner may have been operating the vehicle just prior to the impoundment.
[Ord. No. 2011-12]
D. 
Notice to owner. Whenever a vehicle has been towed or stored, a notice of such removal and the location of storage shall be served on the registered owner of the vehicle if his name and address is known or can be ascertained with reasonable diligence. The notice shall state that if a release of the vehicle is not promptly obtained, it shall be treated as an abandoned vehicle and sold as such under Chapter 95 1/2, Illinois Revised Statutes.[1] The notice may be served by any member of the Bloomington Police Department or by certified mail.
[Ord. No. 1985-62]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 625 ILCS 5/4-201 et seq.
E. 
Release of vehicle. Impounded vehicles will be released to their lawful owners or their agents upon a showing of adequate evidence of a right to possession and the payment by certified check to the City of Bloomington of all accrued fines, penalties, incurred costs, towing, storage, and related charges. The person to whom the vehicle is released must sign a receipt for the vehicle and thereon state the capacity under which he is obtaining possession of the vehicle.
[Ord. No. 1985-62]
F. 
Funds from sale. The funds from the sale of any vehicle hereunder shall first be applied to the payment of all accrued fines, incurred costs, towing, storage and related charges, and the remainder shall be disposed of as provided by law.
[Ord. No. 1985-62]
G. 
Rules and regulations. The City Council is hereby authorized to adopt by Resolution, such Rules and Regulations as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Ordinance.
[Ord. No. 1985-62]
[Ord. No. 1985-62]
If any section or provision of this Ordinance shall be adjudged to be invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the Ordinance as a whole nor any section, provision, or part thereof not adjudged invalid or unconstitutional.
The provisions of Divisions 4 and 5 of this article shall be construed in accordance with the general purposes to:
A. 
Control and regulate traffic and parking within the City of Bloomington for the benefit and convenience of the citizens of and visitors to the City of Bloomington;
B. 
Forbid and prevent the parking of vehicles at locations, at times and in manners which are prohibited herein or in other ordinances of the City of Bloomington;
C. 
Provide a means for the effective and efficient prosecution of violators of the parking ordinances of the City of Bloomington with the intent to deter such violations;
D. 
Secure simplicity in procedure; and
E. 
Insure fairness of administration.
[Ord. No. 1985-62]