When the identity of the registered owner or other person legally entitled to the possession of an abandoned, lost or unclaimed vehicle that is seven years old or newer cannot be determined by any means provided for in this chapter, the vehicle may be sold as provided in this chapter or disposed of in the manner authorized by this chapter without notice to the registered owner or other person legally entitled to the possession of the vehicle.
When an abandoned vehicle that is more than seven years old is impounded as provided in this chapter, it will be kept in custody for a minimum of ten days for the purpose of determining ownership, for the purpose of contacting the registered owner by U.S. Mail, by public service or by personal service, for the purpose of determining the disposition thereof, and for the purpose of examining the Illinois State Police stolen motor vehicle files for theft and wanted information. At the expiration of the ten-day period, without the benefit of disposition information being received from the registered owner, the Chief of Police shall authorize the disposal of the vehicle as junk only.
A motor vehicle or other vehicle classified as an antique vehicle is excluded from this chapter.
(Ord. 374. Passed 11-2-70.)