(A) Disposal of unclaimed vehicle.
(1) When an abandoned, lost, stolen, or unclaimed vehicle seven years of age or newer remains unclaimed by the registered owner, lienholder, or other legally entitled person for a period of 30 days after notice has been given, as provided in §§ 92.05 and 92.06, the law enforcement agency or towing service having possession of the vehicle shall cause it to be sold at public auction to a person licensed as an automotive parts recycler, rebuilder, or scrap processor under 625 ILCS 5 or the towing operator which towed the vehicle. Notice of the time and place of the sale shall be posted in a conspicuous place for at least ten days prior to the sale on the premises where the vehicle has been impounded. At least ten days prior to the sale, the law enforcement agency where the vehicle is impounded or the towing service where the vehicle is impounded shall cause a notice of the time and place of the sale to be sent by certified mail to the registered owner, lienholder, or other legally entitled persons. Notice, as provided in §§ 92.05 and 92.06 and this section, shall state the time and place of sale and shall contain a complete description of the vehicle to be sold and what steps must be taken by any legally entitled persons to reclaim the vehicle.
(2) If an abandoned, lost, stolen, or unclaimed vehicle displays dealer plates, notice under this section and division (B) below shall be sent to both the dealer and the registered owner, lienholder, or other legally entitled persons.
(Prior Code, § 24-7-8)
(B) Disposal of unclaimed vehicles without notice.
(1) New car. When the identity of the registered owner, lienholder, or other person legally entitled persons of an abandoned, lost, or unclaimed vehicle of seven years of age or newer cannot be determined by any means provided for in this chapter, the vehicle may be sold, as provided for in division (A) above, without notice to any person whose identity cannot be determined.
(2) Old car. When an abandoned vehicle of more than seven years of age is impounded, as specified by this chapter, or when any such vehicle is towed at the request or with the consent of the owner or operator and is subsequently abandoned, it will be kept in custody or storage for a minimum of ten days for the purpose of determining the identity of the registered owner, lienholder, or other legally entitled persons and contacting the registered owner, lienholder, or other legally entitled persons by the U.S. mail, public service, or in person for a determination of disposition and an examination of the State Police stolen 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, lienholder, or other legally entitled persons, the vehicle may be disposed of in either of the following ways.
(a) The law enforcement agency having jurisdiction will authorize the disposal of the vehicle as junk or salvage.
(b) The towing service may sell the vehicle in the manner provided in division (A) above, provided that the provisions shall not apply to vehicles towed by order or authorization of a law enforcement agency.
(3) Antique vehicle. A vehicle classified as an antique vehicle, custom vehicle, or street rod may, however, be sold to a person desiring to restore it. (See 625 ILCS 5/4-209.)
(Prior Code, § 24-7-9)
(C) Collection of unpaid charges. In an action to collect towing, storage, and processing charges that remain unpaid after disposition of a vehicle towed or relocated under this chapter, the towing service may recover reasonable collection costs.
(Prior Code, § 24-7-11)
(D) Police record for disposed vehicle. When a vehicle in the custody of the city or law enforcement agency is reclaimed by the registered owner, lienholder, or other legally entitled person or when the vehicle is sold at public sale or otherwise disposed of as provided in this chapter, a report of the transaction will be maintained by that law enforcement agency for a period of one year from the date of the sale or disposal. (See 625 ILCS 5/4-210.)
(Prior Code, § 24-7-12)
Statutory reference:
Related provisions, see 625 ILCS 5, 625 ILCS 5/4-208, 625 ILCS 5/4-209, and 625 ILCS 5/4-210