December in Chicago means winter parking bans went into effect at 3 a.m. How many of you had to travel to 103rd and Doty to get your car out of impound? more ›

If you've recently woken up in a panic realizing you parked on a snow route the night before and expected your car had been towed only to find out it was still there, you can thank the current Chicago budget shortfall for saving you a trip to the pound. Towing is running at half the pace compared to last year because the ones who get the tow trucks rolling -- the field vehicle investigators -- were cut back in last October's job cuts. It's actually pretty amazing towing hasn't been reduced further since only 4 of the previous group of 31 full-time investigators remain, and only 5 of 10 positions for seasonal snow tow work have been filled -- by some of the laid-off investigators. more ›