SUGAR GROVE – The village will now charge those arrested with driving under the influence of alcohol or other violations a $500 fee.
The fee is an attempt to recoup the costs when a police officer has to have a car towed. Village trustees this week approved an ordinance that establishes the fee along with towing regulations.
"We are charging for our time and personnel," Sugar Grove Village President Sean Michels said. "In a sense, we are impounding the car until they pay the fee."
The fee doesn't include the towing charge they would have to pay to get their car back.
Michels also hopes the fee serves as a deterrent for those charged with such crimes as DUI. Those charged with driving on a suspended license or not having a valid license would also have their car towed.
The new rules also establish regulations governing who is eligible to be on the village's authorized towing list.
"We don't want a towing company to come in and abuse the situation," Michels said.
Sugar Grove Police Chief Brad Sauer said the village's ordinance was written to be compatible with the regulations of neighboring Aurora and Montgomery.
"That way, the towing companies know the system and are not faced with differing procedures in different communities," Sauer said. "This fee will not be charged when a vehicle is towed after being involved in a crash or for disabled vehicles."
Other communities like St. Charles charge a $500 administrative fee if a car is towed for DUI or drug offenses, or other offenses like driving on a suspended license.
"We are trying to get people who shouldn't be driving off the road," St. Charles Police Chief Jim Lamkin said.
Geneva does not charge for towing, however. The average cost for a tow is $120, said Geneva City Administrator Mary McKittrick.
"None of that goes back to the city," she said.
Batavia also does not charge a fee. Staff and aldermen are looking at the idea of establishing an agreement with towing companies.
"This agreement would be sent to interested towing contractors and perhaps two contractors would be selected that meet all our specifications and would be used on a rotational basis," Batavia Police Chief Gary Schira said. "This new process should eliminate any possible claim of favoritism or impropriety, and allow for some competitive fees."
The city has been using one towing contractor within the city for all its police authorized tows. Last year, the city had 598 police authorized tows.
Towing fees
Sugar Grove – $500 fee
St. Charles – $500 fee
Batavia – No fee
Geneva – No fee