Residents and council press Waukegan to demand towing RFP after complaints of high fees and inconsistent practices

A string of public commenters and multiple aldermen told the May 4 council meeting that Waukegan needs a clear, competitive process for towing services after residents described steep fees, inconsistent practices and a perception that Black and Brown residents were disproportionately affected.

"It only seems fair to request a bid for this function rather than award the function to connected firms," said Felix Rivera, who urged the council to open towing to a request for proposals and to set clear contract terms, complaint procedures and conflict-of-interest safeguards. Other speakers recounted examples of vehicles held for days with storage and towing fees that reached $600, and business owners described harm from road construction and enforcement practices.

Several council members agreed. At a tense exchange later in the meeting, an alderman moved to put an RFP and a towing ordinance on the next agenda so the city could codify rates, protect the city’s liability and require competitive procurement; colleagues agreed to have staff and counsel draft terms. Mayor Cunningham and other leaders described past practices, noted differences between tows requested by police for crash/criminal incidents and private tows requested by vehicle owners, and said legal and procurement staff would draft the ordinance language.

What happens next: Council members said they will direct staff and corporate counsel to draft an ordinance and RFP language for towing services to be scheduled on a future agenda for public debate and a formal vote. Residents were encouraged to provide receipts and specific examples to assist staff review.