7-Jun-21 – Motorcycles and other loud vehicles in downtown Chicago could be muzzled by a new ordinance that has taken effect.

The ordinance gives Chicago police more reasons to impound a vehicle.

A vehicle can be impounded for “drifting,” a technique in which a car or motorcycle intentionally loses traction as it turns. Police can impound a motor vehicle with coverings that obstruct the license plate, or a non-highway vehicle – such as an all-terrain vehicle or off-highway motorcycle – that is operating on a public street.

The impoundment still must be approved by an administrative law officer at a formal hearing.

42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly, who co-sponsored the ordinance, says motorcycle noise in particular is “a chronic quality of life issue” for downtown residents.

He has asked the Chicago Police Department’s 1st and 18th districts to conduct enforcement missions.

“I asked CPD to conduct a show of force and publicize the results of their missions in order to show the drag racing community that this behavior is unacceptable and violations will be strictly enforced,” said Reilly (left).

The ordinance was approved by the Chicago City Council on April 21 and takes effect on June 7.

Other co-sponsors of the ordinance include 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins, 3rd Ward Alderman Pat Dowell, and 43rd Ward Alderman Michele Smith.

Reilly has been battling loud motorcycles since 2014, when he sponsored an ordinance that allows Chicago police to issue citations – without involving Illinois State Police – for altered motorcycle mufflers.