[3-20-2023 by Ord. No. 23-03-03-70]
As used in this chapter, the following words, terms, and titles shall have the following meanings:
HEARING OFFICER
An attorney with three years of experience as a practicing attorney and certified to practice law in the state of Illinois.
ILCS
Illinois Compiled Statutes, or the Criminal Code of 1961, or the Criminal Code of 2012.[1]
OWNER, OWNER OF RECORD, or REGISTERED OWNER
The owner, lessee, or record titleholder to any motor vehicle as registered with the Secretary of State, State of Illinois.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 720 ILCS 5/1-1 et seq.
[3-20-2023 by Ord. No. 23-03-03-70]
A motor vehicle, operated with permission, express or implied, of the owner of record, which is used in connection with any of the following violations set forth in Section 6-6-3 of this chapter, may be subject to seizure and impoundment by the City or authorized towing company if the violation prevents the driver from lawfully operating the vehicle, or if a police officer authorized to make arrests by the City determines that impoundment of the vehicle is reasonably necessary as a community caretaking function so that the vehicle does not jeopardize public safety and the efficient movement of vehicular traffic. The owner of record of said vehicle, or agent of said owner, shall be liable to the City for a fine in addition to any towing and storage fines charged by the authorized towing company, as hereinafter provided.
[3-20-2023 by Ord. No. 23-03-03-70]
A. 
Operation or use of a motor vehicle in the commission of, or in the attempt to commit, an offense for which a motor vehicle may be seized and forfeited pursuant to Section 36-1 of the Criminal Code of 2012[1] shall subject the owner to a fine of $400.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 720 ILCS 5/36-1.
B. 
Driving under the influence of alcohol, another drug or drugs, an intoxicating compound or compounds, or any combination thereof, in violation of Section 11-501 of the Illinois Vehicle Code[2] shall subject the owner to a fine of $400.
[2]
Editor's Note: See 625 ILCS 5/11-501.
C. 
Operation or use of a motor vehicle in the commission of, or in the attempt to commit, a felony or in violation of the Cannabis Control Act[3] shall subject the owner to a fine of $400.
[3]
Editor's Note: See 720 ILCS 550/1 et seq.
D. 
Operation or use of a motor vehicle in the commission of, or in the attempt to commit, an offense in violation of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act[4] shall subject the owner to a fine of $400.
[4]
Editor's Note: See 720 ILCS 570/100 et seq.
E. 
Operation or use of a motor vehicle in the commission of, or in the attempt to commit, an offense in violation of Section 24-1, 24-1.5, or 24-3.1 of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012 shall subject the owner to a fine of $400.
F. 
Driving while a driver's license, permit, or privilege to operate a motor vehicle is suspended or revoked pursuant to Section 6-303 of the Illinois Vehicle Code,[5] except that vehicles shall not be subjected to seizure or impoundment if the suspension is for an unpaid citation (parking or moving) or due to failure to comply with emission testing, shall subject the owner to a fine of $400.
[5]
Editor's Note: See 625 ILCS 5/6-303.
G. 
Operation or use of a motor vehicle while soliciting, possessing, or attempting to possess cannabis or a controlled substance, as defined by the Cannabis Control Act or the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, shall subject the owner to a fine of $400.
H. 
Operation or use of a motor vehicle with an expired driver's license, in violation of Section 6-101 of the Illinois Vehicle Code,[6] if the period of expiration is greater than one year, shall subject the owner to a fine of $400.
[6]
Editor's Note: See 625 ILCS 5/6-101.
I. 
Operation or use of a motor vehicle without ever having been issued a driver's license or permit, in violation of Section 6-101 of the Illinois Vehicle Code,[7] or operating a motor vehicle without ever having been issued a driver's license or permit due to a person's age, shall subject the owner to a fine of $400.
[7]
Editor's Note: See 625 ILCS 5/6-101.
J. 
Operation or use of a motor vehicle by a person against whom a warrant has been issued by a Circuit Clerk in Illinois for failing to answer charges that the driver violated Section 6-101, 6-303, or 11-501 of the Illinois Vehicle Code[8] shall subject the owner to a fine of $400.
[8]
Editor's Note: See 625 ILCS 5/6-101, 625 ILCS 5/6-303, and 625 ILCS 5/11-501, respectively.
K. 
Operation or use of a motor vehicle in the attempt to commit an offense in violation of Article 16 or 16A of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012 shall subject the owner to a fine of $400.
L. 
Operation or use of a motor vehicle in the commission of or attempt to commit any other misdemeanor or felony offense in violation of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012 shall subject the owner to a fine of $400.
M. 
Operation or use of a motor vehicle in violation of Section 11-503 of the Illinois Vehicle Code[9] while the vehicle is part of a funeral procession or in a manner that interferes with a funeral procession shall subject the owner to a fine of $400.
[9]
Editor's Note: See 625 ILCS 5/11-503.
[3-20-2023 by Ord. No. 23-03-03-70]
A. 
This chapter shall not replace or otherwise abrogate any existing state or federal laws or City ordinances pertaining to the vehicle seizure, towing and impoundment, and the owner of record shall be subject to the fines and penalties provided in this chapter in addition to any penalties that may be assessed by a court for any underlying criminal charges, and in addition to any fines charged by an authorized towing company for towing and storage.
B. 
Fees and fines provided for in this chapter shall not apply if the vehicle used in the violation was stolen at the time of impounding, as demonstrated by verifiable proof, such as if the theft was reported to the appropriate police authorities within 24 hours after the theft was discovered.
[3-20-2023 by Ord. No. 23-03-03-70]
A. 
Whenever a police officer has probable cause to believe that a vehicle is subject to towing and impoundment pursuant to this chapter, the police officer shall provide for the towing of the vehicle to a facility authorized by the City of Le Roy. The Police Chief is authorized to develop internal protocol and procedures in this regard.
B. 
Before or at the time the vehicle is towed, the police officer shall notify or make a reasonable attempt to notify the owner, lessee, or person identifying himself or herself as the owner or lessee, or any person who is found to be in control of the vehicle at the time of the alleged offense, of the seizure and impoundment, and of the owner's or lessee's right to request a preliminary and an administrative vehicle impoundment hearing to challenge the impoundment, fines, and fees as provided for in Sections 6-6-6 through 6-6-8 of this chapter.
C. 
The vehicle shall be impounded pending the completion of the administrative hearing, unless the owner, lessee, or lienholder of the vehicle posts with the City a cash bond in the amount of $400 and pays the accrued towing and storage charges.
[3-20-2023 by Ord. No. 23-03-03-70]
A. 
If the owner of record of a vehicle impounded pursuant to this chapter desires a preliminary appeal of the impoundment, said owner must make a request for the preliminary hearing within 24 hours of the impoundment, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and City holidays.
B. 
Said request shall be in writing and filed with the Chief of Police, or his or her designee, who shall conduct such preliminary hearing within 48 hours after receipt of the request, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and City holidays.
C. 
All interested persons shall be given reasonable opportunity to be heard at the preliminary vehicle impoundment hearing.
D. 
The preliminary hearing shall be recorded and the formal rules of evidence will not apply. Hearsay evidence shall be admissible only if it is the type commonly relied upon by reasonably prudent persons in the conduct of their affairs. Persons appearing at the preliminary hearing may be represented by counsel at their expense.
E. 
If, after the hearing, the Chief of Police, or his or her designee, determines there is probable cause to believe that the vehicle is subject to impoundment pursuant to this chapter, he/she shall order the continued impoundment of the vehicle as provided in this chapter unless the owner of the vehicle posts with the City a cash bond in the amount of $400 and pays the accrued towing and storage charges.
F. 
If the Chief of Police, or his or her designee, determines that there is no probable cause to believe that the vehicle is subject to impoundment pursuant to this chapter, the vehicle will be returned without penalty or other fines.
[3-20-2023 by Ord. No. 23-03-03-70]
A. 
Within 10 days after a vehicle is impounded pursuant to this chapter, unless the Chief of Police determines that no probable cause exists per Section 6-6-6F of this chapter, the City shall notify, by personal service or certified mail, return receipt requested, the owner of record and any lessee and lienholders of record of the date, time, and location of an administrative hearing that will be conducted, pursuant to this chapter, within 45 days of the service or mailing of said notice of hearing.
B. 
The hearing shall be recorded and conducted by a hearing officer, as defined in Section 6-6-1 of this chapter, designated by the City Administrator. Persons appearing at the hearing may be represented by counsel at their expense.
C. 
The owner of record or lessee of the impounded vehicle shall appear at this administrative hearing and enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. If a plea of guilty is entered, the cause will be disposed of at that time. If the owner of record of the impounded vehicle enters a plea of not guilty, the administrative hearing will go forward unless continued by the hearing officer. If continued, the hearing shall be held within 45 days of the continuance.
D. 
At any time prior to the hearing date, the hearing officer may, at the request of either party, or on his own initiative, direct witnesses to appear and give testimony at the hearing. The formal rules of evidence will not apply at the hearing and hearsay evidence shall be admissible only if it is the type commonly relied upon by reasonably prudent people in the conduct of their affairs.
E. 
If, after the hearing, the hearing officer determines, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the impounded vehicle was used in connection with a violation set forth in this chapter, the hearing officer shall enter a written decision sustaining the impoundment and finding the owner of record or lessee of the impounded vehicle civilly liable to the City for a fine in the amount of $400 and requiring the impounded vehicle to be impounded until the owner of record pays the fine to the City plus costs to the authorized towing company of record for the towing and storage of the vehicle.
F. 
If the hearing officer finds no such violation occurred, the hearing officer shall enter a written order overruling the impoundment and directing the immediate return of the owner's cash bond without fines and the release of the vehicle.
[3-20-2023 by Ord. No. 23-03-03-70]
A. 
If a fine is imposed pursuant to this chapter, such fine shall constitute a debt due and owing the City. If a cash bond has been posted pursuant to this chapter, the bond shall be applied to the fine. If a vehicle has been impounded when such fine is imposed, the City may seek to obtain a judgment on the debt and enforce such judgment against the vehicle's owner as provided by law.
B. 
Except as provided otherwise in this chapter, a vehicle shall continue to be impounded until the fine is paid to the City and any applicable towing/storage costs are paid to the towing company, in which case possession of the vehicle shall be given to the person who is legally entitled to possess the vehicle, or the vehicle is sold or otherwise disposed of to satisfy a judgment to enforce a lien as provided by law.
C. 
If the fine and other applicable fees and costs are not paid within 35 days after the hearing officer issues a written decision sustaining the impounding, if no administrative review is sought, or within 35 days after an action for administrative review has been resolved in favor of the City, whichever is applicable, the vehicle shall be deemed abandoned and shall be disposed of in a manner provided by law for the disposition of abandoned vehicles.
[3-20-2023 by Ord. No. 23-03-03-70]
Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, no owner, lienholder, or other person shall be legally entitled to take possession of a vehicle impounded under this section until any fine, administrative fees and costs applicable under this chapter have been paid. However, whenever a person with a lien of record against an impounded vehicle has commenced foreclosure proceedings, possession of the vehicle shall be given to that person if they agree, in writing, to refund the City the amount of the net proceeds of any foreclosure sale, less the amounts required to pay all lienholders of record, not to exceed the fine, plus applicable towing and storage costs.
[3-20-2023 by Ord. No. 23-03-03-70]
Any owner, lienholder, or other person with a legal interest in the vehicle shall have the right to appeal the decision of the hearing officer to Circuit Court, pursuant to the Administrative Review Act.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 735 ILCS 5/3-101 et seq.
[3-20-2023 by Ord. No. 23-03-03-70]
All funds related to penalties and forfeiture described in this chapter shall be managed by the City Clerk. All such funds shall be deposited in the DUI account of the Le Roy Police Department.
[3-20-2023 by Ord. No. 23-03-03-70]
If any section, sentence, clause, or phrase of this chapter is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of any court with competent jurisdiction, such a decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this chapter.