Just got done having a very nice conversation with Mike Parker from CBS 2 News.
He wanted more info on overnight booting. And since the city won’t give him any info, he gave the Geek a call.
The piece airs on the CBS 2 News at 10.
UPDATE: Here’s Parker’s story, “Chicago Increases ‘Denver Boot’ Enforcement” and the corresponding video report. I wish they had included more of my thoughts on the issue, but it’s nice of them to include the website in the report.
Also, Newsradio 780 did a nice piece as well yesterday.
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Mike Parker did a great job covering people getting kicked by the “boot”. Is their a method to notify your fans via e-mail/SMS so there’s a greater likelihood we can see future news items and maybe even see the Geek on TV?
The PTG…DoR/Laz/Sarco’s equivalent of Glenn Beck!
It appears the City is going into the car business since people in tough times won’t have the cash to “buy their cars back” from the city. After a while the storage charges will out weigh the car’s value and the city will “legally” dispose of the vehicle.
The problem I have among others with the PEAs if they know which states issue only one license plate such as AZ and FL or citing cars for window tinting without knowing if the owner has necessary medical credentials to have the tinting. There are special IL license plates which tell lawenforcement officers the car they on is legal for tint, wonder if the PEAs know? Get two of these tint tickets and one qualifies for the Boot. It can take the city a long time to rectify erroneous citations. BTW there are some suburbs which do not issue vehicle stickers, so they don’t deserve incidental tickets for that. Geez, I hope the color of my car isn’t deemed illegal in Chicago. CA wants to pass a law to outlaw cars painted black due to solar heating.
Geek, do you know if the boot be used as retribution for 2 red light ticketing camera tickets? If now then when? Maybe I shouldn’t have posted this, but I’m sure the DOR has already thought of this egredious angle and wants to give the city another notable enforcement distinction in the name of “safety”.
Barnet!
Thanks for all the great comments.
In Chicago, parking tickets and red light tickets all count the same toward potentially being booted.
EXAMPLES:
3 unpaid parking tickets in final determination = boot
3 unpaid red light tickets in final determination = boot
1 parking ticket + 2 red light tickets all in final determination = boot
The boot can be attached for only two tickets if both are over a year old.
Does that make sense?
Geek, I think I get it now; booted car doesn’t get camera tickets, but gets more parking tickets. It’s worth the investment in a battery powered carbide grinder, would take about 45 seconds to redeem the car. What’s the penalty for this remembering corpus delecti?There has to be evidence of an event.
Barnet!
I love the way you think!!! Almost every time you post a comment, I fall over laughing.
Here’s the problem. If you remove the boot, you face a $750 fine. And…because they have your license plate, they know where you live. So, it’s a bit hard getting out of it.
However, I’m open to hearing any creative ideas around this. I for one, can’t think of any and would be a little hesitant to embrace that type of action.
Barnet Fagel Says:
Geek, I think I get it now; booted car doesn’t get camera tickets, but gets more parking tickets
Barnet, we were trained not to issue additional tickets to a booted vehicle. A booted driver already has enough problems, no need to add to them.
Barnet Fagel Says
The problem I have among others with the PEAs if they know which states issue only one license plate such as AZ and FL or citing cars for window tinting without knowing if the owner has necessary medical credentials to have the tinting. There are special IL license plates which tell lawenforcement officers the car they on is legal for tint, wonder if the PEAs know?
As of this time, Il is the ONLY state that we can enforce the rear/front plate rule. That may change in the future based on what researchers discover about other states requirements. For example, before we were authorized to issue tickets for expired out of state plates, Revenue researched other states policies, and then trained us on the guidelines. As far as the tinted windows, before we were even allowed to issue one ticket, the Secretary of State came in showed us what is allowed, and the type of License plate that is required. Revenue wants it’s people trained properly.
“Ticketmaster Says:
Barnet, we were trained not to issue additional tickets to a booted vehicle. A booted driver already has enough problems, no need to add to them.”
Well, thank God that has changed.
I got booted about 10 years ago, and got a ticket while I was paying and waiting for the boot crew to take the boot off.
I went to the hearing for it, and argued I couldn’t move my car because the city booted it. The hearing officer said in the eyes of the law, it didn’t matter what the reason was – even though my car was immobilized by the city, it was still my responsibility for the ticket.
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Geek:
Being “hesitant” to remove a boot is a good idea. Removing or damaging a boot is a FELONY. It is either a theft of or damage to in excess of $300.00.
Assuming there is no criminal background you are not going to prison, but you will get the felony probation that can never be removed and will effect your employability for the rest of your life.
This is where the ordinance violation nonsense so many engage in meets reality.
Here is a heads up to anyone person considering an idea to remove a boot. Do Not Even Think About It. Any vehicle where the boot was attempted to be removed resulted in an AUTOMATIC $750.00 boot tampering fee being applied.
I understand the fine for removing the boot – but unless there is a witness, how can they prove exactly who removed the boot?
Ticketmaster (or anyone else at DoR etc),
Did the Sec of State come in and tell you the new tint law that went into effect at aproximately 0915 CST on 10/30/2009? Front window tints are now LEGAL but I still see PEAs and other people writing tickets for tinting.
This is to clear up any confusion about the consequences for “removing” a boot yourself. If by chance you are one of the unlucky 500,000 + on the “Boot Eligable” list who actually gets one installed on your wheel, you might want to think twice before kicking it, touching it, cutting it, torching it, or removing it yourself. Here is a breakdown for you all.
1. Touch, kick, wiggle, etc. the boot = “Boot Tamper” and if a DOR rep or Chicago Police catches you doing the above qualifies you for an immediate tow to the closest pound and now you get to dig deeper in your wallet.
2. Torch, cut, or actually remove the boot on your own qualifies as a “GOA” (gone on arrival). You may have defeated the city by removing the boot for now, but if you park in the city alot, it’s only a matter of time before we catch you again, and when we finally do? Now it gets expensive. Now your vehicle gets an immediate tow =$115.00, boot fee =$750.00, pound fee =$15.00 per day, and all fines due immediatly.
3. Doing ANY of the above can land you in jail. Remember people, the boot is “City Property”, and damage to any city property can get you arrested. Also, doing any of the above disqualifies you from any payment plans and full amount is due before you get your car back.
Here is a tip to avoid the boot…..PAY YOUR TICKETS! Bottom line! Even if you can’t pay or want to contest the ticket, LET THE CITY KNOW! It will keep you off the boot list. The city sends numurous notices before entering a plate number to the list, so if you made the list, then you deserve to be on it and you deserve the hassle that comes with being on the list.
Greg says:
November 11, 2009 at 11:54 am
I understand the fine for removing the boot – but unless there is a witness, how can they prove exactly who removed the boot?
Answer: Doesn’t matter weather you, your sister, father, dog, child or wife removes the boot. Whoever the car is registered to gets the joy of paying the $750.00.
Heres another tip: If you own more than one car and owe the city, EACH car can be booted simultaniously thus doubling, even tripleing your fees.