A. Vehicle Seven Years Of Age Or Newer:
1. 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 what steps must be taken by any legally entitled person to reclaim the vehicle. 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. (1983 Code § 9-6-9; amd. 2011 Code)
2. When the identification 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 in this chapter, the vehicle may be sold as provided herein or disposed of in any manner authorized by this chapter without notice to the registered owner or other person legally entitled to the possession of the vehicle.
B. Sale Of Vehicle Over Seven Years Of Age: When an abandoned vehicle of more than seven (7) years of age is impounded as specified by this chapter, it will be kept in custody for a minimum of ten (10) days for the purpose of determining ownership; the contacting of the registered owner by the U.S. 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. At the expiration of the ten (10) day period, without the benefit of the disposition information being received from the registered owner, the chief of police will authorize the disposal of the vehicle as junk only. (1983 Code § 9-6-10; amd. Ord. 1101, 12-18-1995)