https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2018/04/21/20/59/parking-lot-3339509_960_720.jpg The city of Chicago has managed to collect roughly $28 million *in one year alone* by impounding more than 20,000 vehicles; seizing cars from individuals who allegedly didn't commit any wrongdoing. ## Taking 60+ [Cars Every Single Day](https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/chicago-impound-system-cars-institute-for-justice-class-action-lawsuit-asset-forfeiture/) Quite often you will hear defenders of the state suggesting that without such a cartel being afforded a monopoly on violence, that we'd see looting and victimization, but even with the state *that same looting* occurs and is simply called by a different name, enabling it to be celebrated rather than shunned. ## In Chicago, [car owners have been hit with fines](https://www.autoblog.com/2019/05/01/class-action-lawsuit-chicago-car-impounding/) even though they never committed any crime. > "The city holds cars ransom until the owners pay all the fines accrued, even before the final judgment is rendered,.. That's unconstitutional ... As far as we know, Chicago has the worst impound system in the entire country." - lawyer D. Simpson https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2017/03/28/23/33/chicago-2183727_960_720.jpg One of those victims, S. Byrd, [who was a 51 year old part-time carpenter](https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/chicago-impound-system-cars-institute-for-justice-class-action-lawsuit-asset-forfeiture/) and a part-time mechanic, and he had traveled to Chicago to help someone who had their car broken down. When he wasn't able to fix the car, Byrd offered the individual a ride to their home. However, on the way home they were stopped by the police for a broken turn signal, after the car was searched they [found drugs on the passenger](https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/chicago-impound-system-cars-institute-for-justice-class-action-lawsuit-asset-forfeiture/) and the car was consequently taken. ## This is a man who needs his vehicle for work and likely lives paycheck-to-paycheck, and thanks to that one day he now faces more than $17,000 in fees over the ordeal. Once any car is impounded by the city, the owner is required to request an administrative hearing within only 15 days and if they don't they could be responsible for all of the fines and penalties. ## In over 15 years, more than half of those individuals who have had their cars taken, never filed a request for that hearing. According to the lawsuit, the city is not providing constitutionally adequate notice to those car owners who have had their vehicles impounded or that might be disposed of. Another issue that they have is that the city is refusing to return the vehicle *until all outstanding fines are paid*, whether they be parking tickets, speed camera tickets, or other. This requirement, they argue, will disproportionately effect the poor and working-class communities; they need their vehicles to get to work. # The state doesn't protect you from looting; *it does the looting*. > "The city sees its [citizens and residents of neighboring towns as piggy banks](https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/chicago-impound-system-cars-institute-for-justice-class-action-lawsuit-asset-forfeiture/), and they just keep taking money from everybody.” - D. Simpson https://steemitimages.com/DQmaW48YhsgLS2fxaYkXCuon3tFpQEEh1tSUCU3jjJXv7RT/%40doitvoluntarily.gif