Alliance of Illinois Repossessors Warns Forwarding Companies

Stop Pressuring Repossession Agencies to Violate Illinois SB0800

Addison, IL – April 16, 2025 — The Alliance of Illinois Repossessors (AIR), headquartered in, Addison, IL, is issuing a formal warning to forwarding companies operating in Illinois: do not instruct or coerce licensed repossession companies to violate Illinois SB0800, the state’s strict consumer data protection law, by obtaining unlawful “exception” certificates when vehicles are repossessed without keys.

SB0800, passed to protect consumer data privacy, mandates that all repossessed vehicles in Illinois must have their electronic data systems wiped before leaving the agents lot . This includes GPS data, garage codes, and personal identifying information stored in vehicle infotainment systems. This data wipe cannot be completed without a key or authorized access method.

Forwarding companies directing repossession agencies to “obtain exceptions” in order to avoid the cost associated with the removal of privacy data are not only encouraging noncompliance with state law, but may also be exposing themselves to serious legal risk. These practices could constitute anti-trust violations, may be viewed as an unlawful restraint of trade, and in extreme cases, could even fall under the scope of RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) violations if a pattern of coercion, extortion or fraud is established.

“AIR will not sit idly by while forwarding companies attempt to shift legal liability to licensed Illinois agencies or place our members at risk of losing their operating authority,” said Santino “Sonny” Datoli, President of the Alliance of Illinois Repossessors. “We are committed to ensuring our members operate in full compliance with Illinois law, and if necessary, we will pursue legal or legislative action to protect them from coercive or extortionary practices.”

AIR reminds all forwarding companies that if their directives cause a licensed Illinois repossession company to lose its license, they will be held accountable, and the financial and operational damages to the agency will be aggressively pursued through legal channels.

Repossession companies in Illinois are encouraged to document any such directives from forwarding companies and report them to AIR for further action.

For more information, to report a violation, or to inquire about membership, please contact:

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Alliance of Illinois Repossessors