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* Schadenfreude is an understatement…
They were dubbed the “Lincoln Park Pirates” in a 1970s folk song and they’ve been exasperating Chicago motorists for more than 40 years.
But if you’ve ever been charged $150 or more for the pleasure of having your car towed by one of Lincoln Towing Service’s trucks, get ready for a dose of schadenfreude.
The state is now threatening to strip the North Side company’s towing license after a flood of complaints from consumers, pressure from two aldermen and a petition signed by more than 3,000 people.
In one recent case that led to criminal charges, a pair of Lincoln Towing employees allegedly knocked a 55-year-old worker off a 16-foot ladder as they towed away his truck, then mocked him as they left him on the ground with a broken leg. In another case that led to a police citation, an Illinois Department of Children and Family Services investigator’s car was illegally towed while he asked questions about an abuse case inside the Rogers Park District police station.
In all, the Illinois Commerce Commission’s police department has opened 166 investigations into Lincoln Towing since the ICC renewed the firm’s towing license for two years in July. Of the 75 cases so far resolved — mostly cases in which motorists claim they were towed for no reason, overcharged, or duped by insufficient signage before their car was held for ransom — nearly half resulted in Lincoln Towing being fined or cutting a deal with the motorist who was towed, according to the ICC.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 1:24 pm
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There’s your answer Jason Gonzalez! /s
Comment by Anon221 Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 1:27 pm
Why would Rauner be the one to solve this? Wouldn’t it be the ICC’s responsibility?
Comment by Kubrick Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 1:38 pm
These thugs have been running rampant for 50 years.No one can stop them. Least of all our politicians.
Comment by mokenavince Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 1:47 pm
Another decades-long problem that Rauner will hopefully resolve.
That seems fitting.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 1:50 pm
==Why would Rauner be the one to solve this? Wouldn’t it be the ICC’s responsibility?==
Rauner appointed 2 of the 5 commissioners, including the Chair.
Comment by so... Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 1:51 pm
tow companies are shady as all get out. I got towed out of a lot one night where they has physically folded the No Parking sign in half so you couldn’t read it. They towed probably 20 cars out of that lot that night - Halloween. I’m sitting there screaming at the tow guy as he’s pulling away, and I’m wearing a Blue Meanie costume. Funny now, but boy was i mad!
Comment by Johnny Pyle Driver Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 1:55 pm
Solve it? He’s probably kicking himself for not buying the company back in the day. This is his style of bidness.
Comment by Daniel Plainview Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 1:59 pm
Apropos for a Friday afternoon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=389Rk1jzPMk&list=RD389Rk1jzPMk
Comment by Herky Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 2:08 pm
Parking lot abuses happen everywhere. Mom used to rent a spot in a lot downtown by the month. On the weekends, the lot owners tried to make extra money parking cars for special events. Remember them trying to get mom to pay extra for “her” spot … one of the few times I ever saw my mom tear into somebody; needless to say, she didn’t pay and they were smart enough to not tow her and face a lawsuit.
Comment by RNUG Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 2:18 pm
Justice here would be very sweet. Biggest morons on the planet. Ugh.
Comment by A guy Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 2:29 pm
They won’t release your car from the lot unless you provide them with your original vehicle title. And they won’t let you access your car until you provide them with your original vehicle title. So if your title is in your car, or in another state you have to leave your car there for days and spend hundreds of dollars in order to get your car out. Poor people end up losing their car, and end up having to get a new one
Comment by Deep Dish Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 2:38 pm
This sounds like a criminal enterprise to me.
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 2:49 pm
Raunner. ????
Solve. ??????
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha hah !!!!!
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 3:49 pm
Nasty crew.
They had mean dogs in their yard back in the day, too. After you paid, they’d send you back to search for your wheels, and the dogs would be nipping and growling at you.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 4:12 pm