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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."

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He’s since withdrawn that bill.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 February 27, 2013 at 01:00 pm
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 February 27, 2013 at 01:40 pm
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 February 27, 2013 at 02:16 pm
Cincinnatus, I realize that there are significant hurtles to overcome in drafting legislation but there has to be a way.
NancyC February 27, 2013 at 05:14 pm
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 February 27, 2013 at 05:17 pm
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 February 27, 2013 at 06:11 pm
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 February 28, 2013 at 02:19 am
Rahm,
This will people every reason to stay out of Chicago.
Jim Court March 7, 2013 at 02:50 am
will give

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Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Jamie June 18, 2013 at 09:08 pm
There have been some negativity lately surrounding C-F, but it is really only community involvmentRead More like the one in this story that will make the school even better.
Jim Court June 17, 2013 at 11:56 am
Claire, You present a very well thought out understanding of TIFs and your logic is impeccable.
Patty Pistone Fritsch June 17, 2013 at 02:23 pm
Can we get the name of the shelter, we work with a shelter in Oak Park, that may be able to save aRead More few of these little pups before its too late for them!
Geneva Vikings June 17, 2013 at 10:24 pm
Patty...it's Casey's Safe Haven. Reach us atcaseysdogs@yahoo.com. Any help would be great!
People Amaze Me June 14, 2013 at 08:41 am
I agree with you but I don't know if we as just citizen's can do anything to stop that practice. IRead More wish that each cyclist had to have a license, and that it was enforced by laws and police, on the bike so that people could report occurrences and have the person receive a ticket just like a person driving an auto. That would make sense.
Jennifer MacKenzie June 14, 2013 at 08:43 am
A couple of years ago, Villa Park installed "State Law- must stop for pedestrians" signsRead More on the roadways where the Great Western and Prairie Paths cross. I saw a big increase in path users barreling across the streets with no regard for the stop signs on the path.
People Amaze Me June 15, 2013 at 04:11 pm
I was really hoping that the Elmhurst Police would sound in on this info-I do understand kids willRead More be kids, but if one of them is hurt, that adult driver will need to live with that for the rest of their life-so let's come up with a solution for both bicyclist and cars to be in harmony. I really think that a step up in enforcement in the bicycle laws would help-just like the drunk driving laws-believe me the bicycle laws are just as important.