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Senator's Bill Would Boot Your Car for Unpaid Debts

Senator Ira Silverstein "quietly" introduced a bill that would boot your car if you have any debts owed against you, such as a water bill or traffic ticket, for example. He told Crain's he introduced it at the request of a lobbyist.

Senator Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) is on a roll with some unique bills. First, the senator, whose district include parts of Skokie, Niles, Morton Grove and Lincolnwood, 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He’s since withdrawn that bill.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, a Hinsdale Republican, 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. The senator's district includes Skokie, part of Chicago, Morton Grove, Niles, Glenview and Lincolnwood. To view a map of Silverstein's district, click here.

What do you think? Post a comment below.

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Z February 26, 2013 at 10:18 pm
I guess he's looking for the insanity plea? The question is what did he do?
Adam Turetzky February 26, 2013 at 10:51 pm
I wonder how they would find these debtors? Perhaps mobile license plate readers on police cars? http://evanston.patch.com/articles/driving-through-skokie-be-sure-your-plates-better-are-up-to-date
Troy February 26, 2013 at 10:59 pm
Remember folks, you elected this brain trust.
grandpa February 26, 2013 at 11:28 pm
I wonder if this guy has been smoking bath salts? It's not close to April 1st. so I don;t think it's a joke, (but as a legislator he is).
Sue Afryl February 27, 2013 at 01:39 am
Boot his ass! hmmm maybe we should look into his finances in depth. Tickets senator? How about a few 5 martini lunches with campaign money or did you pay your amx bill with champaign funds. Are you squeeky clean. How's that tax filing going is it on the up & up? Oh the fun the right person / people could have with your finacial info.
Jac Charlier February 27, 2013 at 03:09 am
Quote from CapitalFax.com by Sen. Silverstein "Mr. Silverstein says he has not spoken with the city and introduced the bill at the request of a lobbyist friend whose clients include a law firm with a large collections practice."...and..."“This came to me from Adam Braun, a lobbyist representing some of the collection firms. Collection firms are trying to find a better avenue to collect money to help municipalities.” Full link is here: http://capitolfax.com/2013/02/26/ira-strikes-again/
Mr. Rats February 27, 2013 at 03:18 am
Holy cow Ira Stupidstein is out of control!
CK February 27, 2013 at 01:33 pm
How about a bill to boot the cars of legislators, past and present, who did NOTHING TO FUND STATE PENSIONS AS REQUIRED BY LAW? And while we're at it--- suspend their law licenses too! Lawyers like Ira are officers of the Court and I understand that as such are REQUIRED to report illegal behavior. Go for it Ira!
CK February 27, 2013 at 01:39 pm
And who thinks Ira is a precious gem?
http://votesmart.org/candidate/campaign-finance/18194/ira-silverstein
carrie February 27, 2013 at 02:10 pm
So much for tranparency. If he thinks his bills are something worthwhile then why try to sneak them in. Forget about the fact this bill is stupid, as was the one he pulled.
Bob G February 27, 2013 at 02:25 pm
Absolutely amazing how clowns like this sit around and dream this crap up on our dime. PLEASE remember this when he comes up for re-election. You just can't make this stuff up. How about pass CCW and fix the mess you people created in this state with something like a balanced budget.
Signed ANONYMOUS
howard kirschner February 27, 2013 at 03:42 pm
someone with a brain please run against this jerk
PAuul February 27, 2013 at 06:40 pm
time to dump old IRA seems he can't remember who he works for !
This is an example of everything that's wrong in our political system!!!
Mr. Scallop February 27, 2013 at 08:30 pm
Why was the bill introduced "quietly"? It seems to me that if a politician has a bill to introduce he or she should stand up and introduce it openly and proudly for all to see. Obviously here the politician did not have the courage to act in this manner. We are also told that this politician introduced the bill at the request of a friend who represents a collection agency. I say let the collection agency go out and find its own work and stop relying on cronyism to earn money. Additionally, this politician should stop doing favors for his cronies and do the work that is needed for the people who elected him. This episode is a prime example of what is wrong with Illinois politics.
Caseyt CT Tee February 27, 2013 at 08:38 pm
Rahm has to find the money to pay for Maggie Daley Park and Ed Burkes body guards and Taste of Chicago losing $2,000,000.
When this passes I will wait to read about the first wrongful death lawsuit from a parent that could not drive their child that is suffering a severe asthma attack because they came out to the car and saw, unbeknown to them, a boot was put on their car for a $50 water bill.
lucas February 27, 2013 at 10:56 pm
As I recall from grammar school (years AGO) Some came up about a law putting people in jail for not paying bills. It was cancelled since it was decided people couldn't go to work and then pay bills if they were in jail
Pat Craig February 28, 2013 at 02:17 pm
Maybe Sen. Silverstein should read the following article http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/08/30/debtors-prison-is-back-and-just-as-cruel-as-ever/ . He could then sponsor a bill to revive "Debtors prisons" in Illinois. Think of the exciting possibilities! We could all learn to sing the score from Les Miserables.
Mr. Rats February 28, 2013 at 05:43 pm
Stupidstein strikes again!
Harry Gio March 8, 2013 at 03:30 am
This makes as much sense as ketchup on a hotdog...
Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
V.S. June 12, 2013 at 03:32 pm
That can't possibly be the correct address. I believe it's on the 4900 block of Oakton Street.
Jennifer Fisher (Editor) June 12, 2013 at 05:33 pm
V.S. You're right, the address doesn't seem correct. 1647 Oakton St. was posted on a sign in theRead More window, but we'll track down the right one.
Katie Gudgel June 14, 2013 at 01:12 pm
Ms Hannah Lutz - I would also appreciate it if you would not continuously re-post this unless youRead More have some new information.
shp June 16, 2013 at 10:00 am
I encourage anyone to voice your opinions on the budget items. I did email the Village trustees,Read More Mayor and Manager regarding the purchase of the "mobile police station" aka expensive RV. I've never received a response. Does anyone know the details about the new housing being built at Brown and Cleveland? We have funds to build new housing in these economic times? Sounds like the Village should spend money on IT instead of new housing. Just more evidence that this Village Administration is outdated!
BOB June 16, 2013 at 05:07 pm
How can something be built at Brown & Cleveland ? Both run east and west, not meeting eachRead More other. What about old Police Station at Main and Laramie ? No mention of that recently. Noticed item concerning Human Services Division having to possibly vacate current location on Galitz. Why not use old police station for it ? Better parking there, and plenty of space.
Katie Gudgel June 17, 2013 at 08:24 am
Bob - the development is planned for Floral Ave but spans the distance from Brown all the way toRead More Cleveland. Regarding Human Services moving - have you written to the Village to suggest that they consider the old police station?
Patch reinstates deleted accounts! June 12, 2013 at 02:22 pm
Am I missing something, or are there no details here? Timeframe? Anything?
R. Hof June 12, 2013 at 02:54 pm
Nope there is nothing. NADA
Jennifer Fisher (Editor) June 12, 2013 at 05:34 pm
We'll follow up with more details tomorrow when we're able to reach someone at Duffy's.
R. Hof June 12, 2013 at 02:51 pm
Love it! Sweety Pies is a GEM in Downtown Skokie. Probably the best place there to sit, relax andRead More have a treat and coffee. The atmosphere is lovely warm and inviting. Perfect for a sunny day or a cold winter day inside. Oh yes and the Cupcakes are to die for.
shp June 13, 2013 at 07:42 am
Steve - Evanston has a gangwar problem going back to Sept. 2012. There have been 3 or 4 youngRead More people murdered by guns related this gangwar. You can probably google or look up the article in the Patch. One mother of a teen victim went to Washington with Jan Schowsky on the gun control bill. There was a gun buy-back program last fall in Evanston with some success. Evanston is not a save place at night. These thugs travel to Skokie, which why the shooting happened at Old Orchard Mall. There were apparently several gang members at the carnival. It was a planned incident not random.
shp June 13, 2013 at 07:57 am
R.Hopf - I actually agree with you for the most part, but Skokie does not have controll over theRead More Section 8 (landlords have the control). I am more discussed at the landlords who don't screen their tenants. This has been going on all over the country that landlords rent to Section 8 because it is guaranteed rent. I don't think you are being fair to NN. The troublemakers at NN get sent to one of the 3 alternative schools in Skokie. There are security officers on duty at all times. Where is a good place to send your child to school these days? Maybe a private school if I could afford $24k/yr tuition. Do you think I can get a voucher to send by child to one of these schools? I don't think so. I also don't think it is safe anywhere these days. I wouldn't open my door to a stranger if I lived in ANY suburb. I'm from a small town in Illiniois that has a population of 1100 and everyone locks their doors and don't open it to any strangers.
Blu June 17, 2013 at 04:34 pm
source - http://www.city-data.com/crime/crime-Skokie-Illinois.html , if one looks at the actualRead More statistics, crime has dropped in Skokie over the last 15 years. The perception that crime is worse has to do with the media sensationalizing news in order to get ratings. Based on the statistics from the above site, it is safer now to walk your dog at 4:00 AM than it was in 1999.
Patch changes User names! June 11, 2013 at 09:55 pm
Are you referring to e-mails when comments are made on an article you've commented on? If so, I'veRead More been receiving e-mails. I have a comment on Patch's Support: I fully understand that there must be a lot going on when doing a new format. However, I sent a message to Patch Support (@patch.zendesk.com) on 6/2/13 @ Noon. I immediately received an automated e-mail confirmation of my message saying "Your request has been received, and is being reviewed by our support staff. We will respond to your request as soon as possible." That's the last I've heard. I just checked the status of my request and it still says "This request is awaiting assignment to a support agent.". 2 parts of my request were that Patch reinstated a previously-deleted account, and changed my user name on a current account. (Hence, my now-changed -- by ME!! -- user name.) One time I had good results with Support; they deleted a photo in a day or so. The next time, after 2 follow-ups with no response, I requested my account be deleted. That part they did promptly. Oddly, that is the very account that is active again. Losing confidence when there isn't IT support. Or, if there really IS support, not getting a reply...
Katie Gudgel June 12, 2013 at 06:48 am
Hi Patch changes User names - the function that I am "missing" is to follow comments whenRead More you haven't commented yourself. I do received notifications of new comments on articles that I post (like this one) and to ones which I have made comments. But why should I have to make a comment just to be able to receive notifications when the article has been updated of someone has made a comment. Sometimes I want to be part of the discussion and will comment - but some of the time I would like to just "observe" (and perhaps later will make a comment). With the previous version I could do that.
shp June 12, 2013 at 08:50 am
I agree that email notifications on comments and updated articles should be restored. This is howRead More the conversations get started and keeps the interest. You are losing readers by making it more difficult to comment and find comments. I see more people commenting on articles, but for awhile there was no one commenting. I had to email Patch to get my comments posted. Not everyone is going to do this.
V.S. June 11, 2013 at 08:59 am
I know there is construction on Oakton and the parade has to be rerouted, but who came up with thisRead More alternative route? Who wants to sit under an overpass? There is not much room on that stretch of Skokie Blvd. to put the amount of people who attend the parade. Sorry to miss the parade this year. See you next year.
R. Hof June 11, 2013 at 04:23 pm
I agree completely. Read my board on what Skokie wants to do making it mandatory for landlords toRead More let Section 8 people rent in their buildings. YES we need more police 6???? kind of a joke. Will these 6 be patroling the whole area between Oakton/Skokie Blvd and Golf/Skokie Blvd al day and night? Because, that is what it will take to stop the new gangs or singular thugs from knowcking over the poor old [people to get 25 cents from their wallet!
John Wagner June 7, 2013 at 01:57 pm
Sorry, I was typing while I was watching 3 people from the K-town area of Skokie walking in frontRead More of my house with their pants hanging off their A--.
Cindy Wells June 7, 2013 at 10:49 pm
honestly? This is a very important job in Skokie, so much so that the Mayor takes second seat, orRead More has to Rigoni, maybe no more though. Rigoni has tied the hands of Scarpelli and police presence in the past and we need the reigns loosened to combat the mess in this town...crime is increasing, this is why SKokie plans to hire 5-6 new police officers
Skokie Resident June 8, 2013 at 09:51 pm
Pasta la vista, Rigatoni!