Copies of police reports are available from the Peoria Police Records Unit, 600 SW Adams Street, Peoria, IL 61602. Persons who wish to obtain a copy of an incident or auto accident report must appear in person and fill out a "FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT" form.  For further details you may contact the Records Unit at 309-494-8344.

 Qualified individuals may come to the Police Station at 600 SW Adams Street, Peoria, IL 61602 and fill out a registration form.

Usually twice a year the City of Peoria and County of Peoria has an auction of vehicles and equipment. These days are set by the City of Peoria Purchasing Office. You may call there for more information 309-494-8508.

Sec. 20-96. Obstructing the public way.

(a) No person shall stand, sit, lie, walk or act in any other manner, alone or in concert with others:

(1) To obstruct any public street, public highway, public sidewalk or any other public place or building by hindering or impeding or tending to hinder or impede the free and uninterrupted passage of vehicular or pedestrian traffic; or

(2) To commit in or upon any public street, public highway, public sidewalk or any other public place or building any act or thing which is an obstruction or interference to the free and uninterrupted use of property or with any business lawfully conducted by anyone in or upon or facing or fronting on any such public street, public highway, public sidewalk or any other public place or building, all of which prevents the free and uninterrupted ingress or egress therein, thereon or thereto.

(b) When any person violates any of the conditions enumerated hereinbefore, any police officer shall order that person to cease and desist from further violation of this section.

(c) Any person who fails or refuses to obey the order of a police officer given pursuant to this section shall be in violation of this section and shall be subject to a fine of not less than $75.00 for the first offense and not less than $125.00 for the second offense occurring within one year of the first offense. In any event, the maximum fine shall be as provided in section 1-5 of this Code for each offense.

(Code 1957, § 22-28.1; Ord. No. 15235, § 3, 12-11-01)

1. The person picking up the vehicle should contact the Peoria Police Information Office at 309-494-8301 to acquire information about any impoundment fees and where the vehicle is being held. In addition to an impound fee, the vehicle may be subject to separate towing charges.  Towing and storage charges are assessed for vehicles removed by the City using one of the contacted tow companies from a rotation list. Towing charges can include:  the initial tow, a tow lot charge if the business is already closed and storage fees.  Storage fees begin 24-hours after the vehicle is brought to the impound lot.

2. The person picking up the vehicle must have a valid drivers license and must have valid proof of ownership in their possession.

3. Valid proof of insurance for the vehicle to be picked up or, in cases where the vehicle will be towed, proof that the towed vehicle is properly insured will be required before the vehicle will be released.

4. If the vehicle was the target of a police investigation, a release memo from the assigned investigator (detective) must be sent to the Information Office.

5. If your vehicle is a recovered stolen auto, the vehicle must be removed and cleared from NCIC by an assigned investigator before the vehicle can be released.

6. You must have valid identification with you when you come to pick up the vehicle. The ONLY identification accepted is a picture driver's license or a state-issued picture non-drivers identification card.

Vehicle Impound Program Detailed Information

Overview and History

In 2004, the City of Peoria Police Department began a Drug Vehicle Impoundment Program. This program was created as a deterrent to individuals who are involved with illegal narcotics. Illegal narcotics are often transported via the use of a personal vehicle. An individual’s vehicle is often one of their most prized and necessary possessions. An idea was formed among officers that in order to reduce the number of individuals who were willing to transport narcotics, a good tactic would be to immediately tow their vehicle. Operation of a motor vehicle is a privilege not a right and law abiding citizens do not appreciate their tax dollars being spent on the maintenance of roadways that are used for the profit of drug dealers or other illegal and offensive behavior.

A vehicle impoundment for drugs works in this way: If an officer finds any amount of any illegal drug and/or drug paraphernalia anywhere inside the vehicle or on anyone inside the vehicle, the vehicle is towed and impounded. The owner or lien holder must pay $525.00 to the City of Peoria along with towing and storage fees in order to have the vehicle released. If the vehicle is not picked up within 45 days, it is deemed abandoned and remains with the tow company. All impoundments are reviewed by the Asset Forfeiture Officer to determine if they meet the proper criteria, and if proper procedure was followed these vehicles may be seized as well.

Shortly after the first vehicles were towed for drugs, the benefits of the program were recognized. Drug dealers were being impacted immediately and word quickly spread that transporting drugs in your vehicle will get your vehicle impounded by the Peoria Police. Many of the impounded vehicles were permanently seized under Federal Asset Forfeiture Law due to the amount of drugs transported. Patrol officers became even more vigilant in recognizing illegal drug activity knowing that their enforcement action would have an immediate consequence. Many citizens and neighborhood groups thanked the police for making drug dealing a little more costly for the dealers and users.

Officers were also given the authority to impound the vehicles of individuals who are using their vehicles to violate prostitution laws and/or weapon laws. Law abiding citizens have complimented the police for using impoundments as a deterrent to these crimes.

Program Expansion: Driving Suspended or Revoked or while Driving Under the Influence

The program was expanded to include the impoundments of vehicles for individuals who were driving with a suspended or revoked drivers license and for individuals driving impaired under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These individuals have clearly disregarded the law and made it apparent that they will drive without legal authority. Having the vehicle they are driving impounded sends a clear message that their behavior will not be tolerated. Individuals who are driving impaired due to the use of drugs or alcohol, endanger everyone on the roadway. Impounding their vehicle serves as another deterrent to discourage endangering their own life and the lives other drivers or pedestrians.

Fleeing and Eluding and Leaving the Scene of an Accident

Once officers saw the value in impoundment they began to make creative suggestions concerning expanding the program. A Traffic Officer suggested impounding vehicles that flee from the police, and vehicles that had been involved in a hit and run accident. Officers are now able to locate the vehicle at a later time, sometimes while the offender is at work or at home, and tow the vehicle. When the owner shows up to have the vehicle returned, he/she now must be accountable for their earlier illegal actions. The practice of having their vehicle impounded by the police for not stopping for the police, or leaving the scene of an accident became more costly. Potential offenders now stop to think before they flee, knowing the cost will be high.

Loud Music Impounds

The impoundment program was taken one step further when we began to impound for having loud music coming from the vehicle. The City of Peoria, like many other communities, has been plagued by individuals driving around with offensively loud music. In numerous neighborhood meetings and as noted in individual citizen complaints, the problem of loud music was a hot topic of discussion. People inside their homes were being disturbed at all hours of the day and night with offensive vulgar lyrics and loud base that rattled their windows and overpowered their televisions sets. Citizens demanded that something be done. The Peoria Police Department had issued hundreds and hundreds of tickets for the offense but it still continued to be a problem. Following much research, deliberation, and debate, an Ordinance was created allowing the police to impound vehicles for loud music. The vehicle can be impounded on the first offense, however; the impound fee is zero. The owner must still pay a $25.00 administrative fee plus towing, and storage. A second offense will cost an offender $250.00 plus administrative fees, towing, and storage. All subsequent offenses are $500.00 not including administrative fees, towing, and storage.

Before a single car was impounded, an enormous drop in the number of offenders was noticed. Officers who were on foot and in their vehicles began to see offenders turning down their radios at just seeing an officer. This type of response from an offender was almost unheard of before the impoundment program. Officers have impounded far fewer vehicles than they ever ticketed and are still seeing a great reduction in the problem. The Peoria Police Department would be happy to never be forced to impound for loud music again. All everyone wants is for people to be more responsible when listening to their music by keeping the volume down. The deterrent effect of impounding for loud music has helped to improve the quality of life for all of our citizens and visitors to our community. Respect for others goes a long way.

VIOLATION OF THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCES MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE BEING IMPOUNDED:

NOISE (LOUD MUSIC), DRUGS, WEAPONS, PROSTITUTION, DUI, SUSPENDED DRIVERS LICENSE, REVOKED DRIVERS LICENSE, HIT AND RUN, FLEEING AND ELUDING
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Letter to the Owner:

Information Regarding a Towed Vehicle
Secretary of State records indicate you are the last known registered owner or lien holder of the vehicle described on the attached form. This vehicle was towed by the Peoria Police Department.

*If you no longer own this vehicle, please do not respond and disregard this notice.*

In the event that you retain an interest in this motor vehicle, it is requested that within fifteen (15) days after receipt of this letter you take possession of this vehicle. If you do not wish to take possession of this vehicle, please endorse your certificate of title to the listed tow company, sign your name in the proper space on the reverse side of the title and mail the completed documents to the listed tow company. Failure to take possession of this vehicle will be considered an abandoned vehicle and it will be disposed of as junk or salvage.

Section 30-330 of the Peoria City ordinance states that "a vehicle owner is required to obtain a release form from the Peoria Police Department prior to reclaiming the vehicle or any personal belongings." All releases will have a $25 administration fee.

To obtain a release, the vehicle owner or lien holder must appear in person at the Peoria Police Department with:

1. appropriate payment for fees;

2. proof of ownership (Title or Bill of Sale) and identification
(Driver’s License or State Identification Card);

3. a valid driver’s license or be accompanied by someone who has one; and

4. proof of valid insurance.

The tow company will have to be paid at their lot for towing and storage fees. Additional fees may be charged by the Tow Company for opening the lot after regular business hours.

Payments must be made in the exact amount of cash, a money order from a local bank or a certified check from a local bank. No other checks will be accepted and no coin is allowed.

The City of Peoria and the Peoria Police Department reserve the right to hold vehicles for investigations and receive penalty for violations of city ordinances upon receiving evidence of such violations and/or the vehicle was towed and then found to have been in violation of an ordinance. The appropriate ordinance violation penalty will be applied. *Nothing precludes the vehicles from asset forfeiture laws. Future certified mailings will be sent for those vehicles that will be filed on for asset forfeiture. In the event that a vehicle is to be returned after asset forfeiture proceedings are unsuccessful, the penalties of the initial impoundment still apply, as do the tow fees.

**THE FOLLOWING ONLY PERTAINS TO IMPOUNDED VEHICLES**

If your vehicle was impounded because it violated a city ordinance, then a $500.00 penalty plus a $25 administrative fee must be paid to the Peoria Police Department, totaling $525.00, before obtaining a release form. Payments may be made by either the vehicle owner or the lien holder. As with any tow, the tow company will have to be paid at their lot for towing and storage fees. Additional fees may be charged by the Tow Company for opening the lot after regular business hours.

Additionally, lien holders claiming an impounded vehicle must submit a “Hold Harmless” letter, as well as, a letter releasing the vehicle to an agent, if a 3rd party is used.

Continued information regarding Impounded Vehicles only:

All drug vehicles that are towed will not be released until a review for forfeiture is complete. Drug vehicles, that are eligible to be released, can be claimed AFTER 2 p.m. the following business day.  Please do not call before that time.

Noise impound penalties will be determined according to section 15-77 of Peoria City Code.
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*RIGHT TO REQUEST HEARING*

The impound vehicle’s owner (s) of record or the lien holder may secure the release of the vehicle, but only the owner (s) of record may request a hearing.

REQUEST WITHIN 12 HOURS AFTER SEIZURE

The vehicle’s owner (s) of record may obtain a Preliminary Hearing on probable cause by hand delivering a written request to the Peoria Police Department, 600 S.W. Adams St., Peoria, IL within 12 hours after the seizure of the vehicle.

REQUEST FOR A FULL HEARING

The code of the City of Peoria provides that the owner (s) of record may make a written request for a full hearing before the hearing officer to determine whether the subject vehicle is eligible for impoundment.

The written request for a hearing must be filed with the City of Peoria Legal Department, 419 Fulton Street, Suite 207, Peoria, Illinois, no later than 15 days after the mailing of this notice by certified mail or notice by personal service.

If the owner does not make a timely request for a final hearing, and the administrative penalty and other fees are not paid in full within 30 days, the vehicle will be deemed abandoned and may be disposed of by the city.

VIOLATION OF THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCES MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE BEING IMPOUNDED:

NOISE (LOUD MUSIC), DRUGS, WEAPONS, PROSTITUTION, DUI, SUSPENDED DL, REVOKED DL, HIT AND RUN, FLEEING AND ELUDING

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DIVISION 2. CURFEW

Sec. 20-71. Established; parental responsibility.

(a) It is unlawful for a person less than 17 years of age to be present at or upon any public assembly, building, business, street, highway or other public place or way at the following times, unless accompanied and supervised by a parent, legal guardian, sibling, stepbrother or stepsister at least 18 years of age, or other responsible companion at least 21 years of age approved by a parent or legal guardian; or unless engaged in a business or occupation which the laws of this state authorize a person less than 17 years of age to perform:

(1) For persons less than 13 years of age, between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. the following day on any day of the week.

(2) For persons at least 13 years of age, but not yet 17 years of age:

a. Between 11:00 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday, inclusive, and 6:00 a.m. the following day.

b. Between 12:01 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on Saturday or Sunday.

(b) It is unlawful for a parent, legal guardian or other person to knowingly permit a person in his custody or control to violate the provisions of subsection (a) of this section. It shall be a rebuttable presumption that a person has violated this section if someone under 17 years of age of whom such person has custody or control is present upon any public assembly, building, business, street or highway or other public place or public way in violation of subsection (a) of this section.

(c) Any person convicted of a violation of subsection (b) of this section shall be fined $50.00 for the first violation in any 12-month period; $75.00 for a second violation in any 12-month period; and $200.00 for a third or subsequent violation in any 12-month period.
(Code 1957, §§ 22-29, 22-63; Ord. No. 13656, § 2, 12-7-93; Ord. No. 14159, § 1, 8-20-96)

Sec. 20-72. Duty of operators of public establishments.

(a) It shall be unlawful for an owner, operator, manager, or their agents or employees, of any public place of assembly, business, public function or establishment which is regularly open to the public to permit any person less than 17 years of age who is in violation of curfew pursuant to subsection 20-71(a) to be present on the premises. The premises shall include the parking lots, yards, grounds and other outside areas under the control of the establishment.

(b) For the purpose of preventing violation of this section, any owner, operator, manager or their agents or employees may refuse admission to or require the immediate departure from the premises by any person whom they have reason to believe may be in violation of subsection 20-71(a), unless such person can produce positive identification, containing proof of age, issued by a public official.

(c) Proof that the owner, operator, manager or their agents or employees demanded, were shown and reasonably relied upon such positive identification in allowing any person to enter or remain on the premises is competent evidence and may be considered in any action for violation of this section or in any proceedings for the suspension or revocation of any city license issued to such establishment.
(Code 1957, § 22-30)

Sec. 20-73. Daytime curfew.

(a) It is unlawful for a person between the ages of seven and 16 years to be present at or upon any public assembly, building, business, street, highway or other public place except for a school and its grounds between 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. from August 25th through June 1st, on Monday through Friday unless accompanied and supervised by a parent, legal guardian or other responsible companion at least 21 years of age approved by a parent or legal guardian. This section shall not apply to persons attending school sanctioned events away from school grounds. It shall not be a defense to a violation of daytime curfew that the person is suspended or expelled from school or is not attending school because he or she has a valid cause as defined in section 20-75 or an excused absence.

(b) It is unlawful for a parent, legal guardian or other person to knowingly permit a person in his custody or control to violate the provisions of subsection (a) of this section. It shall be a rebuttable presumption that a person has violated this section if someone between the ages of seven and 16 years of whom such person has custody or control is present upon any public assembly, building, street, highway or other public place except a school and its grounds in violation of subsection (a) of this section.

(c) Any person convicted of a violation of subsection (b) of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than $50.00 nor more than as provided in section 1-5 of this Code for each offense.
(Ord. No. 14567, § 1, 9-1-98; Ord. No. 15235, § 3, 12-11-01)

Sec. 20-74. Exemptions.

The following persons between the ages of seven and 16 years shall be exempt from daytime curfew:

(1) Any person between the ages of seven and 16 years who attends a school or home school which is not in session at the time he or she is apprehended.

(2) Any person between the ages of seven and 16 years who is lawfully employed who has been excused from attendance at school by the superintendent of schools pursuant to section 5/26-1 of the Illinois School Code.

(3) Any person between the ages of seven and 16 years who is excused for the lunch period pursuant to the rules of the school in which the child is enrolled.

(4) Any person between the ages of seven and 16 years who is present at a court house for a court appearance or who is on his way to or from a court ordered appearance.
(Ord. No. 14567, § 1, 9-1-98)

DIVISION 3. TRUANCY

Sec. 20-75. Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Truant is defined as a child subject to compulsory school attendance who is absent without valid cause from such attendance for a school day or portion thereof.

Valid cause is defined as personal illness, serious family illness, death in the immediate family, observance of a religious holiday, family emergency, court appearance, or such other circumstance which causes reasonable concern to the parent or legal guardian for the safety or health of the student.
(Ord. No. 14567, § 1, 9-1-98)

Sec. 20-76. Compulsory school attendance.

Whoever has custody or control of any child between the ages of seven and 16 years shall cause such child to attend a public, private, parochial or home school the entire time it is in session during the regular school term.
(Ord. No. 14567, § 1, 9-1-98)

Sec. 20-77. Exemptions.

The following children shall be exempt from compulsory school attendance:

(1) Any child who is physically or mentally unable to attend school as long as such disability is certified by a licensed physician.

(2) Any child who is lawfully employed who has been excused from attendance at school by the superintendent of schools pursuant to section 5/26-1 of the Illinois School Code.
(Ord. No. 14567, § 1, 9-1-98)

Sec. 20-78. Parental responsibility.

Each parent or legal guardian of a child between the ages of seven and 16 years shall be responsible for such child's attendance.
(Ord. No. 14567, § 1, 9-1-98)

Sec. 20-79. Truancy prohibited.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person who has custody or control of a child who is between the ages of seven and 16 years to permit such child not to attend a public, private, parochial or home school during the entire time it is in session during the regular school terms without valid cause.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person between the ages of seven and 16 years not to attend a public, private, parochial or home school without valid cause.
(Ord. No. 14567, § 1, 9-1-98)

Sec. 20-80. Penalty.

(a) Any person convicted of a violation of any act declared to be unlawful by this article shall be punished by a fine of not less than $50.00 nor more than as provided in section 1-5 of this Code for each offense.

(b) No person shall be found guilty of more than one violation of this article as a result of any one occurrence.

(Ord. No. 14567, § 1, 9-1-98; Ord. No. 15235, § 3, 12-11-01)
Secs. 20-81--20-90. Reserved.

Illinois General Assembly Website

VEHICLES

(625 ILCS 25/) Child Passenger Protection Act.

(625 ILCS 25/1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 1101)
Sec. 1. Title and citation. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Child Passenger Protection Act".
(Source: P.A. 83‑8.)

(625 ILCS 25/2) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 1102)
Sec. 2. Legislative Finding ‑ Purpose. The General Assembly finds that a substantial number of passengers under the age of 8 years riding in motor vehicles, which are most frequently operated by a parent, annually die or sustain serious physical injury as a direct result of not being placed in an appropriate child passenger restraint system. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children of every age from 4 to 14 years old. The General Assembly further finds that the safety of the motoring public is seriously threatened as indicated by the significant number of traffic accidents annually caused, directly or indirectly, by driver distraction or other impairment of driving ability induced by the movement or actions of unrestrained passengers under the age of 8 years.
It is the purpose of this Act to further protect the health, safety and welfare of motor vehicle passengers under the age of 8 years and the motoring public through the proper utilization of approved child restraint systems.
(Source: P.A. 93‑100, eff. 1‑1‑04.)

(625 ILCS 25/3) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 1103)
Sec. 3. Definitions. The terms "highway", "motor vehicle", "owner", "police officer", "recreational vehicle", "roadway" and "street" as used in this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, have the meaning ascribed to them in The Illinois Vehicle Code, as now or hereafter amended. For the purpose of this Act, "motor vehicle" does not include motorcycles.
(Source: P.A. 83‑8.)

(625 ILCS 25/4) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 1104)
Sec. 4. When any person is transporting a child in this State under the age of 8 years in a non‑commercial motor vehicle of the first division, any truck or truck tractor that is equipped with seat safety belts, any other motor vehicle of the second division with a gross vehicle weight rating of 9,000 pounds or less, or a recreational vehicle on the roadways, streets or highways of this State, such person shall be responsible for providing for the protection of such child by properly securing him or her in an appropriate child restraint system. The parent or legal guardian of a child under the age of 8 years shall provide a child restraint system to any person who transports his or her child.
For purposes of this Section and Section 4b, "child restraint system" means any device which meets the standards of the United States Department of Transportation designed to restrain, seat or position children, which also includes a booster seat.
A child weighing more than 40 pounds may be transported in the back seat of a motor vehicle while wearing only a lap belt if the back seat of the motor vehicle is not equipped with a combination lap and shoulder belt.
(Source: P.A. 95‑254, eff. 1‑1‑08.)

(625 ILCS 25/4a) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 1104a)
Sec. 4a. Every person, when transporting a child 8 years of age or older but under the age of 16, as provided in Section 4 of this Act, shall be responsible for properly securing that child in seat belts.
(Source: P.A. 92‑171, eff. 1‑1‑02; 93‑100, eff. 1‑1‑04.)

(625 ILCS 25/4b)
Sec. 4b. Children 8 years of age or older but under the age of 19; seat belts. Every person under the age of 18 years, when transporting a child 8 years of age or older but under the age of 19 years, as provided in Section 4 of this Act, shall be responsible for securing that child in a properly adjusted and fastened seat safety belt or an appropriate child restraint system. This Section shall also apply to each driver over the age of 18 years who committed an offense against traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles or any violation of Section 6‑107 or Section 12‑603.1 of this Code within 6 months of the driver's 18th birthday and was subsequently convicted of the violation, until such time as a period of 6 consecutive months has elapsed without an additional violation and subsequent conviction of an offense against traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles or any violation of Section 6‑107 or Section 12‑603.1 of this Code.
(Source: P.A. 94‑241, eff. 1‑1‑06; 95‑310, eff. 1‑1‑08.)

(625 ILCS 25/5) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 1105)
Sec. 5. In no event shall a person's failure to secure a child under 8 years of age in an approved child restraint system constitute contributory negligence or be admissible as evidence in the trial of any civil action.
(Source: P.A. 93‑100, eff. 1‑1‑04.)

(625 ILCS 25/6) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 1106)
Sec. 6. A violation of this Act is a petty offense punishable by a fine of not more than $50 waived upon proof of possession of an approved child restraint system as defined under this Act. A subsequent violation of this Act is a petty offense punishable by a fine of not more than $100.
(Source: P.A. 92‑173, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

(625 ILCS 25/7) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 1107)
Sec. 7. Arrests ‑ Prosecutions. The State Police shall patrol the public highways and make arrests for a violation of this Act. Police officers shall make arrests for violations of this Act occurring upon the highway within the limits of a county, city, village, or unincorporated town or park district.
The State's Attorney of the county in which the violation of this Act occurs shall prosecute all violations except when the violation occurs within the corporate limits of a municipality, the municipal attorney may prosecute if written permission to do so is obtained from the State's Attorney.
The provisions of this Act shall not apply to a child passenger with a physical disability of such a nature as to prevent appropriate restraint in a seat, provided that the disability is duly certified by a physician who shall state the nature of the disability, as well as the reason the restraint is inappropriate. No physician shall be liable, and no cause of action may be brought for personal injuries resulting from the exercise of good faith judgment in making certifications under this provision.
(Source: P.A. 88‑685, eff. 1‑24‑95.)

(625 ILCS 25/8) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 1108)
Sec. 8. The "Child Passenger Restraint Act", enacted by the 82nd General Assembly, is repealed.
(Source: P.A. 83‑8.)

(625 ILCS 25/9) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 1109)
Sec. 9. This Act takes effect July 1, 1983.
(Source: P.A. 83‑8.)

NHTSA Child Passenger Safety Program Information