A. Whenever an abandoned, lost, stolen or unclaimed motor vehicle or other vehicle seven (7) years of age or newer remains unclaimed by the registered owner or other person legally entitled to its possession for a period of thirty (30) days after notice has been given as provided herein, the Police Department shall cause it to be sold at public sale to the highest bidder. Notice of the time and place of the sale shall be posted in a conspicuous place for at least ten (10) days prior to the sale on the premises where the vehicle has been impounded. At least ten (10) 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 shall state what steps must be taken by any legally entitled person to reclaim the vehicle. If the certified notice specified herein is 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 the State, the sending of a second certified notice is not required.
B. When the identity of the registered owner or other person legally entitled to the possession of an abandoned, lost or unclaimed vehicle of seven (7) years of age or newer cannot be determined by any means provided for in this Chapter, the vehicle may be sold as provided 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.
C. When an abandoned vehicle of more than seven (7) years of age is impounded as specified by this Chapter, it shall be kept in custody for a minimum of ten (10) days for the purpose of determining ownership and for contacting the registered owner by mail, public service or in person for a determination of disposition, and for the purpose of an examination of the Illinois State Police stolen motor vehicle files for theft and wanted information. At the expiration of the ten (10) day period, if no disposition information has been received from the registered owner, the Chief of Police shall authorize the disposal of the vehicle as junk only.
D. 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.
E. When the Chief of Police authorizes a vehicle to be towed away and disposed of as set forth in this Chapter, the proceeds of the public sale or disposition, after the deduction of towing, storage and processing charges, shall be deposited in the Village Treasury.
F. No police officer, towing service owner, operator or employee shall be held to answer or be liable for damages in any action brought by the registered owner, former registered owner, or his legal representative, or any other person legally entitled to the possession of a motor vehicle or other vehicle when the vehicle was processed and sold or disposed of as provided by this Chapter. (Ord. 365-86, 4-8-86)