(A) Seven years old or newer.
(1) Whenever an abandoned, lost, stolen or unclaimed motor vehicle or other vehicle, seven years of age or newer, remains unclaimed by the registered owner or other person legally entitled to its possession for a period of 30 days after notice has been given as provided herein, the Police Department having possession of the vehicle shall cause it to be sold at public sale to the highest bidder.
(2) 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 Police Department shall cause a notice of the time and place of the sale to be sent by certified mail to the registered owner or other person known by the Police Department or towing service to be legally entitled to the possession of the vehicle. Such notice shall contain a complete description of the vehicle to be sold and what steps must be taken by any legally entitled person to reclaim the vehicle.
(3) In those instances where the certified notification specified herein has been returned by the postal authorities to the Police Department due to the addressee having moved, or being unknown at the address obtained from the registration records of this state, the sending of a second certified notice will not be required.
(‘82 Code, § 10.40.090)
(B) Older than seven years.
(1) When the identity of the registered owner or other person legally entitled to the possession of an abandoned, lost or unclaimed vehicle of seven years of age or older cannot be determined by any means provided for in this chapter, the vehicle may be sold as provided for herein 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.
(2) When an abandoned vehicle of more than seven years of age is impounded as specified by this chapter, it will be kept in custody for a minimum of ten days for the purpose of determining ownership, the contacting of the registered owner by the United States Mail, public service or in person for a determination of disposition and an examination of the Illinois State Police stolen motor vehicle files for theft and wanted information.
(3) At the expiration of the ten day period, without the benefit of disposition information being received from the registered owners, the Chief of Police will authorize the disposal of the vehicle as junk only.
(4) A motor vehicle or other vehicle classified as an antique vehicle is excluded from this chapter.
(‘82 Code, § 10.40.100)
(C) Record of transaction. When a motor vehicle or other vehicle in the custody of the Police Department is reclaimed by the registered owner 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 the Police Department for a period of one year from the date of the sale or disposal.
(‘82 Code, § 10.40.110)
(Ord. 647, passed - -71)