Chicago Tow Lawsuit Settlement — Up to $1,250 for Owners of Vehicles Towed Without Notice
Chicago Tow Lawsuit Class Action Settlement
The City of Chicago agreed to a $1,425,000 settlement over allegations that it towed vehicles classified as abandoned without first mailing notice to owners, in violation of due process rights under the U.S. and Illinois Constitutions. If your unregistered vehicle was towed by Chicago on or after June 11, 2017 under the City's abandoned vehicle ordinance and you paid to get it back — or never got it back — you may be eligible for up to $1,250. The claim deadline is August 12, 2026.
Settlement fund
$1.4M
Common fund
Top payout
Up to $1,250
Pro rata · capped at amount paid
Claim deadline
Aug 12, 2026
63 days remaining
You may be owed money
Filing is free and takes a few minutes. Deadline: Aug 12, 2026.
Do you qualify?
You are a Class Member if ALL of the following apply:
- Your vehicle was towed on or after June 11, 2017 by the City of Chicago as an abandoned vehicle under Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-80-110(a)(2).
- Your vehicle lacked current state registration at the time of the tow.
- You were the owner of the vehicle at the time it was towed.
- Excluded: Judges presiding over the lawsuits and their immediate family members; the City of Chicago and its employees.
Not sure if you qualify? Contact the Settlement Administrator at 1-888-253-9508 or Info@ChicagoTowLawsuit.com, or visit ChicagoTowLawsuit.com.
What happened
Plaintiffs Andrea Santiago and Matthew Ryan Fitzgibbons alleged that the City of Chicago tows vehicles it considers abandoned under Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-80-110(a)(2) when those vehicles lack current registration, without mailing notice to the vehicle owner before the tow. The lawsuit claims this practice violates due process protections under both the U.S. Constitution and the Illinois Constitution. A related earlier lawsuit, Santiago v. City of Chicago (Case No. 1:19-cv-4652), is also resolved by this settlement. Plaintiffs sought reimbursement of amounts paid to retrieve towed vehicles from the pound, or compensation for vehicles that were disposed of.
The City of Chicago denies that it violated anyone's due process rights and denies any liability. The parties agreed to settle to avoid the expense, delay, and uncertainty of further litigation. As part of the settlement, the City has also agreed to mail one pre-tow notice to owners of vehicles it intends to tow as abandoned and unregistered under this ordinance in the future.
How to file a claim
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1. Confirm you are eligible
Your vehicle must have been towed on or after June 11, 2017 by the City of Chicago as abandoned under Municipal Code § 9-80-110(a)(2), and it must have lacked current state registration at the time of the tow. You must have been the vehicle owner.
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2. Determine your claim amount
Each eligible claimant may receive up to $1,250. If you paid towing, storage, or other fees to redeem your vehicle from the pound, your payment is capped at the lower of what you actually paid or $1,250. If your redemption costs exceeded $1,250, you are still capped at $1,250. If total valid claims exceed the $1,425,000 fund, all payments will be reduced proportionally (pro rata). No documentation is required to submit your claim.
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3. File online or by mail
Submit the Claim Form online at veritaconnect.com/chicagotowlawsuit by August 12, 2026, or sign and mail the paper Claim Form (postmarked by August 12, 2026) to: Santiago v. City of Chicago Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 301132, Los Angeles, CA 90030-1132.
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4. Receive your payment
Payments will be issued after the Court grants final approval at the September 30, 2026 Fairness Hearing and any appeals are resolved. The appeal process can take a year or more after final approval. No follow-up is required once your claim is submitted.
Key dates
- Aug 5, 2026 Opt-out & objection deadline Upcoming
- Aug 12, 2026 Claim filing deadline Upcoming
- Sep 30, 2026 Final Fairness Hearing (1:30 p.m. CT, Courtroom 2125, Dirksen Building, Chicago, IL) Upcoming
- TBD after final approval Payments issued to claimants Pending
The Fairness Hearing is scheduled for September 30, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. CT before Judge Kness in Courtroom 2125 of the Everett McKinley Dirksen Building, 219 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60604. The hearing may also be conducted remotely via teleconference. Check ChicagoTowLawsuit.com or the Court docket for any changes before attending.
Where the money is going
The $1,425,000 Settlement Fund is entirely for class member payments. Attorneys' fees (up to $395,000 plus costs up to $32,000), service awards ($25,000 to Plaintiff Santiago and $5,000 to Plaintiff Fitzgibbons), and settlement administration costs (up to $80,000) are all paid separately by the City and do not reduce the fund available to class members.
All amounts are pending final court approval at the Fairness Hearing on September 30, 2026. The Court may award less than the amounts requested. If valid claims exceed $1,425,000, payments will be reduced proportionally on a pro rata basis.
Common questions
How much money will I receive?
You can receive up to $1,250. If you paid towing, storage, or other fees to get your vehicle back, your payment is capped at the amount you actually paid (or $1,250, whichever is lower). If total claims exceed the $1,425,000 fund, all payments are reduced proportionally. No documentation is required.
Do I need to submit proof of purchase?
No documentation is required to file a claim. Simply submit the Claim Form online or by mail. If the Settlement Administrator needs additional information to verify your eligibility, they will contact you.
What if I didn’t receive a notice?
If you did not receive a mailed notice but believe you qualify, you can still submit a claim online at ChicagoTowLawsuit.com or by contacting the Settlement Administrator at 1-888-253-9508. The notice was mailed to known vehicle owners based on City records, but records may be incomplete.
Does staying in the class affect my right to sue later?
If you stay in the settlement and receive payment, you release all claims arising out of the tow and/or disposal of your vehicle against the City of Chicago. To preserve your right to sue the City individually, you must submit a written opt-out request postmarked by August 5, 2026.
When will payments be sent out?
Payments will be issued after the Court grants final approval at the September 30, 2026 Fairness Hearing and any appeals conclude. The appeal window typically runs 30 days after judgment; if appealed, resolution can take a year or more. No follow-up is needed after submitting your claim.
Dapeer Law, P.A.
Consumer class action attorneys based in South Florida. We track settlements so you don’t have to.
Similar open settlements
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Dapeer Law, P.A. is not the administrator of this settlement and is not affiliated with City of Chicago, Verita (the Settlement Administrator), or Class Counsel Jacie C. Zolna of Zolna Swetland, LLC and Benjamin R. Swetland of Zolna Swetland, LLC. The case is Santiago, et al. v. City of Chicago, Case No. 1:22-cv-5827, pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division before the Honorable John F. Kness. Class representatives are Andrea Santiago and Matthew Ryan Fitzgibbons. City of Chicago denies wrongdoing. This website is attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
