Question I parked my car at the parking lot of a small shopping strip in Chicago ( Belmont and Central ). I came back 10 minutes later and found Denver boot on my car. A man, who apparently watched the parking lot, said that I owe $115.00, cash only. I had to pay. Is it legal?
Answer This is not legal because the city gives you two tickets before they boot your car. Whoever approached you and said that you owed $115.00 cash only was not legal. If someone was watching from the parking lot he sounds like a suspicious character. A random stranger will not approach you and tell you that you owe money as a cash only deal. Private booting of vehicles was legal with a license and consent given by the alderman of the ward the buisness was in up until it was deemed illegal by the city in 1999. I just looked up something about this and a lot of the stores have done this which is being investigated. Were you parked correctly? If you were parked correctly and your car got booted it was done illegally. Most cars get citations before they're booted. Chicago now does 2 parking tickets before your car is booted. If you can go back with a digital camera and snap photos of the spot you parked in and any posted signs and if it's a legal spot you can take action by calling the city and reporting this matter and also filing a police report as well so that it's on record in case similiar incidents come up again. I am sorry that you got taken for $115.00, but these businesses who do this should just tell customers if they're parked illegally you will be ticketed and towed. That's more effective than booting someone's car especially if it's illegal for private buisnesses to do that. If they were going to boot your car there has to be a notice placed saying that cars that are illegally parked are facing ticketing and/or towing or booting. Find out the name of the management company that owns the lot and also file a complaint against them as well and also inform them that you've filed complaints with the city and the police so they are on notice that what they did is illegal. Have all appropriate documentation and photos so if you can show that there's nothing stating cars getting booted and locate the spot you parked in and show that it was not an illegal spot. If you can prove it with pictures you can actually sue in small claims court to get the money back plus any punitive damages you're entitled to. If the matter goes to court take copies of your documentation and photos do not give the originals away.
