Impounds -- and fees -- used to stop repeat scofflaws

Cities across central Illinois have adopted ordinances requiring drivers who commit certain offenses to pay hundreds of dollars to get their seized vehicles back, and the fees are raising money for those cities.

But police stressed that the purpose of the fees is not to make money, but to deter crime.

"You do make money," Paxton Police Chief Bob Bane said, "but its purpose is to keep DUI drivers and people with suspended or revoked licenses off the streets."

Paxton, Rantoul, Champaign, Normal and Peoria have adopted such fees, while Gibson City's police chief is urging the city council to take action on a new administrative fee there.

"It's becoming common statewide," Gibson City Police Chief Steve Cushman said. "More of the agencies are going toward that."

In Paxton, in just a little more than a month since a $500 administrative fee went into effect, the city has raised $5,000 through the seizure of 10 vehicles, according to city records. And that does not include proceeds from the sale of two impounded vehicles that Bane was given approval by the city council to sell for a combined $1,160 on Monday night.

Alderman Bill Goben voted against the sales, after angrily accusing the city of using the new ordinance as a money-maker. Goben has been the most vocal alderman to speak out against the $500 fee, which is assessed to the owners of vehicles used in the possession of more than 30 grams of cannabis or any amount of controlled substance, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and driving with a suspended or revoked license.

In Gibson City, Cushman hopes the fee he has proposed – which he said would be similar to Paxton's – will make habitual offenders think twice. He said the law would target repeat offenders, who may otherwise decide to break the law due to the "low penalties" associated with their crimes. He said he has noticed many people convicted of DUI or driving on suspended or revoked licenses commit the offense again.

"We've got to do something to get their attention and stop the silliness," said Cushman, who hopes to have the fee on the city council's agenda at its next meeting on Oct. 26.

Officials at police departments in Normal and Rantoul say similar fees have been effective in reducing the number of repeat offenders there.

"We were seeing the same vehicle and stopping it every other week," said Normal's assistant police chief, Kirk Ijams. "And you don't see that as much any more.

"We don't see the same vehicles out committing the same crimes."

As in Paxton, the owners of vehicles seized in Normal must pay a $500 fee to get their vehicles back, regardless of who was driving it. The only exception to the policy is if a vehicle is reported stolen.

"When it hits them hard in the pocket book, they're not as likely to allow somebody else to drive their vehicle and risk that," Ijams said.

In Rantoul, police said they have noticed a big difference since the village adopted its administrative fee of $500 – and it's not just more money.

Justin Bouse, a Rantoul police officer, said recently that he has noticed a reduction in driving while suspended/revoked arrests since the fee's adoption in Rantoul.

"I think it has worked," said Lt. Jeff Wooten of the Rantoul Police Department. "I don't have specific statistics, but I think that over the last couple of years ... the number of seizures has declined. ... Has there been less people violating the law or at least getting caught?

"Yeah, I think you can make the connection."

Wooten said Rantoul police are "hoping we can provide a safer community and improve the quality of life for others" through the fee, which like Paxton's is in addition to towing and storage fees assessed to the vehicle's owner. "We want to show that the village is going to take an aggressive stand for those who have violated the law."

In Rantoul, police have seized 122 vehicles under the village's impound ordinance from May 1 through Monday, collecting $61,000 for the city. That compares with $12,500 generated from May 1, 2008, through Sept. 30, 2008, before the ordinance being expanded last November to apply to additional offenses, said Scot Brandon, Rantoul comptroller. He credits the expansion with the rising seizures.

Champaign is also taking an aggressive approach. A $250 impoundment fee went into effect in that city last week, and as of Monday more than 10 vehicles had been seized under the new law.

"So far, as of (last Monday), I see that three people have come in and paid the fee," said Holly Nearing, deputy chief of police in Champaign.

Crimes for which the fee in Champaign applies include fleeing or attempting to elude police, leaving the scene of accidents involving death or injury or leaving the scene without reporting an accident, driving under the influence, driving with a suspended or revoked license, reckless driving, driving an uninsured vehicle and crimes involving drugs, deadly weapons, prostitution or solicitation of a prostitute.

Payment plan

Fees to recover impounded cars in some area communities:

Champaign – $250
Normal – $500
Paxton – $500
Rantoul – $500

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