Politics & Government

Senator's Bill Would Boot Your Car for Unpaid Debts

Senator Ira Silverstein "quietly" introduced a bill that would boot your car if you have any debts owed against you, such as a water bill or traffic ticket, for example. He told Crain's he introduced it at the request of a lobbyist.

Senator Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) is on a roll with some unique bills.

First, the senator, whose district include parts of Skokie, Niles, Morton Grove and Lincolnwood, tried to introduce a bill aimed at limiting comments posted online.

He since withdrew that bill.

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Now, he’s “quietly” introduced a new bill that would boot a person’s vehicle if they have any debt owed to the city of Chicago and other municipalities–- such as water bills or traffic tickets, among others, according to Crain’s Chicago Business.

If the person does not pay their bill within 24 hours after a judgment, the individual's car could be auctioned off. Any money made from the auction would go toward paying off whatever debt the person owes, the publication reported.

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Current law states that only vehicles with traffic or parking violations may be booted under certain conditions. In those instances, the vehicle can only be auctioned off after 21 days.

Silverstein said he “introduced the bill at the request of a lobbyist friend whose clients include a law firm with a large collection practice,” Crain’s Chicago reported.

Sen. Kirk Dillard, a Hinsdale Republican, called the idea of threatening to sell a person's vehicle within 24 hours "over the top," according to chicago.cbslocal.com.

Silverstein did not immediately return a phone call placed to him on Tuesday. The senator's district includes Skokie, part of Chicago, Morton Grove, Niles, Glenview and Lincolnwood. To view a map of Silverstein's district, click here.

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