Opinion ID: 2998217
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Del Re’s Modification of Towing Areas

Text: Sometime in early 1999, Del Re decided to change the towing boundaries. Del Re discussed his decision with Stryker and brought up the possibility of having Max Johnson do some towing for the department. During Del Re’s campaign, Johnson had spoken to Crichton to ask how he might receive towing referrals from the department. The Nos. 04-1978 & 05-1033 7 parties dispute whether Johnson contacted the sheriff’s department directly to request a towing area, or if he spoke only with Crichton. At any rate, Del Re decided to include Johnson on the list. Del Re ordered one of his deputies to inspect Johnson’s Auto Center as soon as possible to ensure that it met all the requirements of the Illinois Vehicle Code. When devising the new towing boundaries, Stryker split off part of Roger’s territory to give to Johnson because his business was located within Roger’s geographic area, and Roger’s received substantially more calls than most of the towers on the list. In April 1999, upon Del Re’s approval of Stryker’s plan, the sheriff’s department sent letters to each of the twelve towers on the list advising them of the changes. The letter stated that the department planned to “slightly modify” assigned territories in order to “maintain organizational efficiency.” As a result of the new plan, at least five of the towers experienced changes in their towing boundaries. Roger believed that his business suffered “significant loss” of territory due to the split with Johnson. Ernie’s Wrecker Service picked up all of Illinois Route 60, whereas before it had only isolated portions of the roadway. A-Tire’s boundaries changed “slightly” or not at all. Randy, Roger’s brother, lost a busy intersection. The areas of other listed towers, including H&H Towing, Snyder’s, and Wildwood, were modified slightly or remained the same.