(A) Disposal of unclaimed vehicles with notice.
(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 persons for a period of 30 days after notice has been given as required by § 90.04, the police department 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 state law. 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 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 § 90.04 of this code and as provided in this division 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 person to reclaim the vehicle.
(2) If an abandoned, lost, stolen, or unclaimed vehicle displays dealer plates, notice under divisions (A) and (B) of this section shall be sent to both the dealer and the registered owner, lienholder, or other legally entitled persons.
(3) In those instances where the certified notification specified in § 90.04 has been returned by the postal authorities to the police department or towing service, the sending of a second certified notice will not be required.
(ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5, § 4-208)
(B) Disposal of unclaimed vehicles more than seven years of age; disposal of abandoned or unclaimed vehicles without notice.
(1) When the identity of the registered owner, lienholder, or other 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 in § 90.06(A) without notice to any person whose identity cannot be determined.
(2) 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 for an examination of the Illinois 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 police department 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) of this section, provided that this division (B)(2) shall not apply to vehicles towed by order or authorization of a law enforcement agency.
(3) A vehicle classified as an antique vehicle, expanded-use vehicle, custom vehicle, or street rod may, however, be sold to a person desiring to restore it.
(ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5, § 4-209)
(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.
(ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5, § 4-209.2)
(D) Titling vehicles after public sale; removal of liens. When an applicant for a certificate of title under this chapter presents to the Secretary of State proof that he has purchased or acquired a vehicle at a public sale as authorized by this chapter and such fact is certified to by the police department of this city, the Secretary of State shall issue a certificate of title for the vehicle upon receipt of the statutory fee and a properly executed application for a certificate of title. The title issued by the Secretary of State under this division shall be free of any lien that existed against the vehicle prior to the time the vehicle was acquired by the applicant under this chapter.
(ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5, § 4-212)