Topic: Vehicle Ordinance

Mike Allison describes a Bridgeport, Illinois city ordinance used to seize classic cars from private property under the guise of eliminating junk vehicles. Allison owned three 1960s Buicks and an Oldsmobile, two of which were undergoing restoration with rebuilt motors. Despite the vehicles being on private property and not in use, the city required current registration and insurance for all cars not stored in fully enclosed buildings.

Michael Allison describes the origins of his legal conflict involving the restoration of a 1987 Cadillac and a 1974 Chevrolet pickup on his mother's property in Robinson, Illinois. After strategically dismissing a prior lawsuit against the city of Bridgeport in September 2008, Allison was confronted by Robinson Police Officer William Rutan in November 2008 regarding alleged city ordinance violations. Allison informed the officer of his intent to sue the city for what he characterized as a fraudulent vehicle title and extortion racket.

Judge Kimbra Harrell presided over a case where Michael Allison faced 75 years in prison for recording his own trial after being denied a court reporter. Allison alleges the prosecution was retaliation for his attempt to expose a county scheme involving city ordinances and vehicle seizures. According to the claims, police issue citations for inoperable vehicles on private property, leading to towing fees, liens, and the eventual sale of the property by the county.