On September 16, 1987, the City of Chicago established a vehicle immobilization program, better known as the boot program. Vehicles become boot-eligible if a registered owner:

    Accrues three (3) or more unpaid parking, red light, and/or automated speed enforcement tickets in final determination status.
    Accrues two (2) unpaid parking, red light, and/or automated speed enforcement tickets in final determination status older than one year.

If the debt is not paid within 24 hours of booting, the vehicle is eligible to be towed to a City auto-pound. In addition to a boot fee, towing and storage fees are incurred once a vehicle has been impounded.

A $100 boot fee is assessed per passenger vehicle.
A $400 boot fee is assessed for truck tractors, semi-trailers and trailers.
Should your vehicle be towed after 24 hours, a $150 tow fee is assessed, plus storage fees of $20 per day for the first 5 days, and $35 per day thereafter (applies to most passenger vehicles).
Vehicles weighing in excess of 8,000 lbs are subject to a $250 tow fee, plus storage fees of $60 per day for the first five days, and $100 per day thereafter.