Senator's Bill Would Boot Your Car for Any Unpaid Debt—Even Water Bill or Student Loan
Sen. Kirk Dillard says Sen. Ira Silverstein's bill is "over the top."
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Senator Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) is on a roll with some unique bills. First, the senator tried to introduce a bill aimed at limiting comments posted online.
He’s since withdrawn that bill.
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.
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 (R-24th), 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.
Elm Forest
8:00 am on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Lobbying congress should only be legal for individuals not corporations and certainly not a law firm like this one that has bought the legislator in question. When will there be proposed legislation brought to a vote on the national ballot outlawing this kind of practice? It's not in the elected official's best interest to sponsor a bill to end lobbying as we now know it. Washington is broken and it can only get worse because of professional lobbyists.
Cincinnatus
8:40 am on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
The Supreme Court ruled in NAACP v Alabama that the freedom of association is essential and part of our 1st Amendment rights to free speech.
Elm Forest
9:16 am on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Cincinnatus, I realize that there are significant hurtles to overcome in drafting legislation but there has to be a way.
NancyC
12:15 pm on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
No matter how much legislation you create and pass it will not stop a person with no integrity from selling out. We need to elect leaders and representatives with high moral values; most importantly honesty, integrity and a strong sense of service.
NancyC
12:17 pm on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
I believe that every person knows very clearly that it is wrong to take a bribe and that is essentially what lobbying is. It is not wrong to offer a bribe but it is wrong to take it, I do believe for elected officials the oath of office and code of ethics makes this clear.
Elm Forest
1:11 pm on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
NancyC, well the eyesight always gets a bit fuzzy when it comes to the rights of a normal citizen and the elected ones. They have set up a maze of laws that are legal or not legal for their benefit. Martha Stewart was jailed for something all of the Washington elect could and did do legally. Yeah, they passed a law to stop that practice but it's still got loopholes from what I have read. Legal bribery is what lobbyists do best.
Jim Court
9:19 pm on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Rahm,
This will people every reason to stay out of Chicago.
Jim Court
9:50 pm on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
will give