PARKING VIOLATION FAQ’s
Q: How do I know whether a parking lot is subject to booting restrictions? How do I determine the terms of use for the lot?
A: Every booting company is required to post a minimum of two signs at each location where it performs booting operations. These signs must display, among other information, the terms of use of the subject property, the fee for boot removal, and the contact information and 24-hour phone number for the booting company. Generally, a parking lot’s terms of use require that an individual patronize specific businesses in order to use the parking lot. However, it is important to review each lot’s posted terms of use, as they will vary from location to location.
Q: How do I know whether an individual is an employee of the booting company?
A: Each employee of a booting company is required to wear an identification placard displaying the employee’s name and the name and contact information of the booting company.
Q: How much can a booting company charge for boot removal?
A: Each employee of a booting company is required to wear an identification placard displaying the employee’s name and the name and contact information of the booting company.
Q: Do I have to pay the removal fee in cash?
A: No. In addition to cash, a booting company is required to have available means for collecting fees via Visa or Mastercard.
Booting Scenario Questions
Q: My vehicle was booted for barely violating the lot’s terms of use or for only violating the terms of use for a few minutes. Should I have been booted?
A: The duration or scope of violation is irrelevant to the question of whether you have violated the lot’s terms of use, unless expressly stated otherwise in the terms of use.
Q: I patronized a business covered by the lot’s terms of use but was booted for patronizing businesses not covered by the lot’s terms of use. Should I have been booted?
A: You are not permitted to violate the lot’s terms of use. Even if you first patronize an authorized business before violating the lot’s terms of use, you have still violated the lot’s terms of use.
Q: My vehicle was booted even though I was parked in accordance with the displayed terms of the lot. Should I have been booted?
A: Booting companies are expressly prohibited from attaching boots to vehicles parked in accordance with the terms of use for the subject property.
Q: My vehicle was booted while I or another individual was in the vehicle. Should I have been booted?
A: Booting companies are expressly prohibited from attaching boots to occupied vehicles. Pets do not qualify as vehicle occupants.
Q: My vehicle was booted and I was unaware of the lot’s terms of use because the terms were not posted or not visible at the lot. Should I have been booted?
A: Booting companies are required to post at least two conspicuous signs detailing the lot’s terms of use and are in violation of the Chicago Municipal Code if they fail to do so.
Q: I returned to my vehicle while my vehicle was in the process of being booted. Should I have been booted?
A: A booting company must immediately remove a boot from any vehicle, at no charge, if the owner of vehicle returns prior to complete attachment of the boot.
Q: Does the owner of the property and/or the manager of the resident store/s on that property receive any financial compensation.
A: The business and/or property owner/manager does not receive any gratuity or monetary compensation; this would be in violation of the ordinance.
Q: How does this service differ from towing? Would you rather have been towed?
A: Booting is preferred rather than towing for an array of logical reasoning: Towing is significantly more expensive than being booted not to mention the inconvenience of locating the vehicle that was towed, the time and expense for the commute to retrieve it, the added vehicle size cost ( Motorcycles- $500 Large SUV’s $900 )& storage fees. For any citizen to retrieve their car after its towed can surely be an overwhelming, time consuming and a troublesome ordeal. Keep in mind: there are the elderly and families with young children that may be among those left stranded through the cold bitter months or the long summer days, trudging down to a remote tow yard to rescue their relocated car is something many do not have the luxury of time nor the patience to afford. With Booting,
- The vehicle is never moved or entered and the violator is never left stranded.
- Car is never damaged.
- No hidden fees or storage charges with Booting.
- No guess work as to where the vehicle is.
- Mistakes are easily corrected.
- Towing companies pay their drivers on a commission basis only.
- Booting Companies pay by the hour so there is no likelihood of injustice as there is no incentive to boot erroneously.
Q: What happens when a violator leaves the premises for a long time to go get the fee?
A: The boot is never left unattended and the violator is informed prior to leaving about the time limit allowed before the vehicle gets turned over to the tow company.
Q: What kind of notice is given to the public before starting?
A: The booting company provides the community with advance notice of the booting program, with several methods in place. Two weeks prior to the commencement of operations our signs are posted in well-illuminated areas on the parking lot (diverse languages according to area). We also distribute fliers to the neighboring stores prior to the commencement as well as notice to the local Chambers of Commerce and the Police station.
Q: Isn’t the price of the infraction a little steep for the Violator?
A: We do realize more than anyone that when a citizen makes the mistake of parking illegally on private property, any price put on that infraction may be proclaimed as more than burdensome to the unfortunate, however the cost to the small business owner is much more severe as it impedes on the flow of customer traffic needed for the businesses to survive, which undoubtedly affects the consumer most in the long-run.Also, the price of a Tow is 20-30% more than the boot fee and in some cases even higher, depending on the size and weight of the car.
Q: Does this type of enforcement send the wrong message to the community?
A: Good citizens rich and poor do not breach rules or disregard other citizens’ rights by trespassing on their neighbors’ properties, they are considerate and mindful of people that go to work every day and make an effort to contribute to the survival of the community.
Q: Does the boot device damage the vehicle?
A: The boot device only attaches to the tire and rim and as an added protection all boots are coated with a rubber trim.
Q: Does the store on the property have anything to do with the hiring of the booting company?
A: The Booting company in most cases are not hired by the store/s owners they are hired by the property owner/manager which lease to the store owner and in most cases do not need the approval of the store on-site due to the Insurance reasons, and legal liability from anyone injured on the property that was not visiting the store.
Q: If I go in the store and buy something will that purchase allow a release from the boot or reduce or negate the fee?
A: Once a violator is in violation of the terms on the property the only recourse is to appeal the fee with the Booting company who has an appeals process in place. Nothing can be done on the property that won’t be construed as anything other than extortion.
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